November 6, 2011

Patrick Mauney
VirginiaPreps.com Senior Writer

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Each week, we'll highlight notable wins from VirginiaPreps.com's AA Top Ten, as well as surprises and upsets outside the top ten, all leading into the updated top ten rankings.

How the Top Ten Fared Last Week

10.     Kettle Run |  Won over Brentsville 35-0

9.       Broadway  |  Won over Spotswood 48-0

8.       Richlands |  Won over Tazewell 69-18

7.          Christiansburg |  Won over Blacksburg 41-10

6.       York  |  Won over Grafton 7-0

5.       Northside  | Won over Lord Botetourt 28-27 (OT)

4.       Magna Vista |  Won over Martinsville 27-14

3.       James Monroe  |  Won over Chancellor 49-7

2.       Brookville  |  Idle

1.       Briar Woods  |  Won over Loudoun County 35-7

Notes

Truthfully, pretty much everything went according to script in the final week of the regular season for the top ten.  Briar Woods continued to roll with a 35-7 win over Loudoun County and James Monroe and York grabbed the two first-round byes in region I, division 3 with victories against playoff teams Chancellor and Grafton, respectively. 

Obviously, Northside's 28-27 overtime win against Lord Botetourt was the most surprising score of the night.  The Vikings' results over the past four weeks have been somewhat odd, given that they beat the playoff-bound teams from the Blue Ridge (Staunton River & Rockbridge) by a combined score of 61-6, but squeaked out one point victories over 3-7 William Byrd and Lord Botetourt.  Northside was missing several starters for the first half against Lord Botetourt and they could have a tough time in two weeks against either R.E. Lee or Fort Defiance.

Outside the Top Ten

The most exciting game of the weekend was a double-overtime thriller claimed by Hidden Valley.  The Titans topped Cave Spring 41-39 thanks to Michael Simonic's six touchdowns (four passing, two rushing) and a defensive stop on the potential game-tying two-point conversion in the second overtime.  The Knights led 27-7 in the first half, but Hidden Valley scored 21 unanswered to send the game to overtime.  In the first overtime, both teams scored, but had their extra points blocked and in the second overtime, Simonic passed to Shane Foley for a touchdown and Dee Fletcher for the two-point conversion to go up 41-33.  Cave Spring's Tony Simmons scored his fifth touchdown of the night to pull within two, but was stopped on the conversion attempt.  The result dropped Cave Spring to the #2 seed in region IV, division 3, meaning a potential trip to Richlands if both teams can win their semifinal games in two weeks.  The win also vaulted Christiansburg above Magna Vista for the #1 seed in region IV, division 4 by one-tenth of a point.

In region III, there were two teams that played their way into the postseason in strong fashion.  Staunton River needed to win its last two games to be sure of a playoff spot and the Golden Eagles won road games at William Byrd and Alleghany to make their second straight playoff appearance.  The win on Friday was coupled with disappointment, however, as running back Jarrett Moon broke his ankle early in the game.  Moon had run for 1,730 yards and 17 touchdows in nine games.  Chris Tyree stepped into the backfield and ran for 237 yards and three touchdowns against Alleghany to clinch a trip to Harrisonburg next week.  In division 3, it was Rustburg who pulled off an upset win against Jefferson Forest to propel themselves past Alleghany and into the postseason.  The Red Devils knew they needed to beat the Cavaliers to have a chance at breaking a seven-year playoff drought and got the 27-14 thanks to huge night from quarterback Randall Jones.  Jones ran for 275 yards and three scores as Rustburg jumped on top 20-0 and never looked back.  They'll head to Rockbridge County next Friday.

Kent Henry's three second-half touchdown passes were enough to rally Western Albemarle past favored Louisa County 24-14.  It was as close to a must win as could be for the Warriors in a tight race for the final three spots in region II, division 3 and they ended up as the #6 seed ahead of Handley and Fauquier, with Skyline the unlucky team on the outside.  Handley's win on Saturday against James Wood puts them in at #7 and a trip to Liberty (Bealeton), while Fauquier will face top-seeded Kettle Run, which beat the Falcons 21-3 just three weeks ago. 

Five Other Winners Who Impressed

Courtland:  47-0 over Spotsylvania  |  Brandon Mason, Kirk Wilson and Darien Grant all top 100 yards for the Cougars on the ground

Heritage (Leesburg):  31-28 over Tuscarora  |  Austin Nelson now over 2,600 yards passing this season as Pride claims #5 seed in region II, division 4

Jamestown:  50-33 over Warhill  |  Both teams making their first playoff appearance this season and one will win, since they'll have a rematch this weekend

Monticello:  26-24 over R.E. Lee  |  Jhalil Mosley's 3-yard touchdown pass to Nathan DeGregorio on the final play gives the Mustangs the non-district win

Poquoson:  27-10 over Lafayette  |  Too much Dylan Hill and William Emeny as the Islanders sent Lafayette to its second straight loss

VirginiaPreps.com AA Top Ten

1.          Briar Woods (9-1)  |  Next:  vs Park View (Sterling)

2.          Brookville (10-0)  |  Next:  Region III, D-3 2^nd Round (11/18)

3.          James Monroe (10-0)  |  Next:  Region I, D-3 2^nd Round (11/18)

4.          Magna Vista (10-0)  |  Next:  Region IV, D-4 2^nd Round (11/18)

5.          York (10-0)  |  Next:  Region I, D-3 2^nd Round (11/18)

6.          Northside (10-0)  |  Next:  Region III, D-3 2^nd Round (11/18)

7.          Christiansburg (9-1) |  Next:  Region IV, D-4 2^nd Round (11/18)

8.          Richlands (10-0)  |  Next:  Region IV, D-3 2^nd Round (11/18)

9.          Broadway (10-0)  |  Next:  Region III, D-4 2^nd Round (11/18)

10.       Kettle Run (10-0)  |  Next:  vs Fauquier

Others (Alphabetical):  Lafayette, Liberty (Bealeton), Loudoun County, Monticello, Poquoson, Powhatan, Rockbridge County

Notes

Almost every team in the top ten will be taking this week off, save for the two top seeds in region II.  #1 ranked Briar Woods will host Park View (Sterling) in the division 4 first round in a rematch of a 53-3 Falcon win on September 9^th that was the first of nine consecutive wins for Briar Woods this year.  In division 3, Kettle Run will also have a rematch against Fauquier, who they beat 21-3 on October 21^st.

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