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Playoff Primer
WINCHESTER, Va. - With one day remaining in the regular season, the playoff picture is nearly complete.
Eight of the Valley's 12 teams will qualify for the three-round playoffs - the first two rounds will be the best-of-three and the championship is a best-of-five.
The semi-final round was originally scheduled to be best-of-five, but had to be shortened due to scheduling constraints. (All Valley League games must be completed by August 15 and the possible extra two games does not allow for any rain dates in the playoffs.)
Ten of the 12 teams are still alive for a playoff berth; only Rockbridge and Waynesboro have been eliminated. As of August 1, Front Royal, Luray, Staunton, Woodstock, Winchester, New Market and Covington have clinched playoff berths.
Tonight (August 1), Fauquier visits Haymarket in what is essentially the first game of the playoffs. The two teams are tied at 21-22 and the winner will clinch the final spot in the playoff field.
If the playoffs started today, this would be the field (clinched teams in bold, seeds are not final until after all regular season games are completed):
No. 8 Covington at No. 1 Front Royal
No. 7 Fauquier/Haymarket at No. 2 Staunton
No. 6 New Market at No. 3 Luray
No. 5 Winchester at No. 4 Woodstock
The playoffs would be re-seeded after this best-of-three round and the first round is scheduled to begin on Sunday.
