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The Union (PV) model is something you'd think some of these other programs would adopt as Union, PV and Appalachia are the gold standard for football in SWVA. They get quality coaching for a short season, and don't burn the kids out like some other youth programs. 3rd-7th grade kids don't need to be playing football from August 1-November 1, and you can't convince me otherwise. I just don't see how others don't see that and model their programs accordingly.

c.c. @ Gate City

I hear good things about Ridgeview. A few fans will even walk you to the parking lot after the game.

Do you feel schools are more content these days to let a coach stick around as long as they are model citizens and don't rock the administrative boat? Has the priority of football programs declined due to low numbers and other factors? More and more schools are unable to field 8th grade or JV teams. One trend I have noticed is that football is more openly criticized by parents of other sport's athletes, clubs and bands. All the while football is the athletic department's cash cow. Other sports and music programs would not be able to afford to compete if not for football gate money and concession sales. Most if not all Spring sports case and point. It baffles me that so many schools take no pride in their football programs even if you are a baseball or basketball school. I understand everyone is not going to win it all every year but at least try to get the very best out of what you have to work with and consider it a community effort. I know some may not like it but no other sport compares to the football gate.

Houseright has made a phenomenal difference with the RC defense. He also brings enthusiasm to their entire program and that is what the kids need. Kids need structrue, discipline, accountablity, enthusiasm, and a HC that not only cares about just winning, but about building a solid program that will help draw more kids out to play FB! This is what every FB program needs! I hope the powers that be have taken notice of how much he has helped the RC program when it comes time to place a new HC at GC.

My opinion is this. The way to get rid of these kind of hits is to give everyone a single bar facemask, a mouthpiece and a pair of eye goggles. Most of us grew up playing tackle football in our yard or the local field. We played without any pads or helmet at all. We would sometimes get a busted lip and cuts and scratches. That doesn't make us tougher but we did learn to tackle without lowering our head and exposing our face and head. Players today rarely play pick up football with friends in their yard or the local field. It is all organized with pads and helmets thus they never learn how to play the game without a helmet on and therefore the helmet becomes part of their tackling habit.

Only those scared to play teams with below .500 records should worry about records of teams in playoffs. If a 2-8 team plays a solid schedule and gets in, who cares. The team playing them should prepare and play to win. If a 8-2 team loses to a 2-8 team then that's on them. It will never be perfect but I would much rather have all teams that deserve to be in on the field than back when one loss kept good teams out of the playoffs (i.e. 2003 Honaker)

Houseright has made a big difference in the Rye Cove Defense. At this time last year Rye Cove has not even been in ballgames, and this year they have been in a couple ballgames that could of went in their favor. I’d love to see Houseright take over the Rye Cove program and bring a few more in to help him and I believe with a few boys Rye Cove has returning they could be a 4-6 and 5-5 possibly 6-5 in the next two years.

Bands definitely have a place in a football discussion. In the stands they are part of the atmosphere for the game. You have Tennessee playing Rocky Top, Vt playing Carry me Back, GC doing some of their pep tunes, etc. If fans and cheerleaders are part of the conversation then so is the band. Second, these days you see more shows with less familiar music because those shows win. It hasn’t always been that way. When Graham’s band was under Mr. Brown they would win with Blues Brothers. I think (don’t quote me) that Holston one year did a Michael Jackson show and got a superior at state assessment. I can’t remember. I see GC winning this game if they can hang on to the ball.

If anyone stole it, it was the refs in that game!

Sheets and Ryan agree... didn't expect that one anytime this century...lol

Adkins definitely has the speed and shiftiness edge. Rose is a power back. I believe one ends up a HB at the next level, and the other a FB, if he’s not on the defensive side. I do know that Rose is being recruited mostly for defense, but one school has mentioned power back in a RB by committee.

Greeneville will have their way with Elizabethtown Friday!!! Cyclones are a great team #3 in 4A but Greeneville is just that much better then everyone. If anyone gets a shot to come watch Greeneville go do sof they have a very special group there that will be gone after this year.

I will take VHS BY 3 IN A UPSET

Not the CW. Fox Tri-Cities.

Lebanon has a young varsity team, and good core group of kids coming up. I agree, if they stick together they are going to be good. A lot of young players have been developing and getting better every week against some tough competition so far this year. I look for Lebanon to get the W this week. It's going to be a tight game, but I think the boys are going to step up and win it. Lebanon 21 - Castlewood 6

I think Houseright would get more kids out and be more successful at GC but Reed has head coaching experience. Houseright makes more sense which means Reed will undoubtedly get the job.

Why is it that I feel like the Bearcats have a better than average shot at winning this one. If they catch the G-Men looking ahead to Richlands next week could spell trouble. On the same note as posted earlier. "Depends on which Graham team shows up" If the Bearcats can sort out their redzone offense and catch a few breaks they could pull the upset.

According to the NFHS, targeting is defined as the act of taking aim and INTIATING contact to an opponent ABOVE the shoulders with the helmet, forearm, hand, fist, elbow, or shoulders. If it fits in this box IT IS TARGETING. That is the guideline we are given. Personally as an official, since there is no ejection rule in HS, I would rather err on the side of caution and make a targeting call on a bang bang play than keep it in my pocket. I am trying to recall if we are instructed as an association at the high school level to do this as a mechanic, but in my college association, if you're not sure, call it anyway and the video will sort it out before next Saturday.19 times out of 20, if it's a targeting call, we get it right. These actions are not football moves but, attempts to injure and maim. You, me or anybody else out there does not know a player intent when making a hit, so whether it was on purpose or not is irrelevant. I am all for a player overpowering another one and showing his ability, but not at the expense of another player's long term health and wellness if we can prevent it. It is football and things do happen that we will never be able to ultimately prevent. As officials, we are charged with protecting the players and managing a very fast paced, physical and emotional game while and upholding the rules provided to us, in that order. Now for your specific example, I have seen ball carriers lower their head and shoulders my entire life. I have seen the running styles also evolve over the years to avoid contact instead of "running through someone". Here is my philosophy though, if I can identify the main ball carriers for a team and watch how they run, I can see their tendencies. Do they avoid contact? If they initiate, are they trying to extend the play, or punish the defender? What part of their body are they leading with? All of those draw my eye to keep a closer eye on a particular player. Some plays are more obvious than others, and will happen right in your lap. I like many other officials I have spoken with are having a tough time reprogramming our brains and eyes on what would have been just a hard nosed play 10 years ago to what is now a foul. If I see a kid running with his head down and not commit a foul on that particular play, I do some preventive officiating and speak with the kid and the coach during the dead ball period to try to avoid him even risking injury, much less the foul itself. It is going to take years and cycles of kids to adapt to the new rules by players, coaches teaching the game and officials who are in a position to teach and apply the rules correctly. The game of football is under attack by the United States of the Offended to change our ways and make the game safer by removing the types of hits that lead to long term head trauma, and we must do it to preserve the game we all love so much.

Too much logic here, Give the kids another game. IF you win in this format, then you are truly the state champ.

FB is unpredictable. As we seen this past summer wtih several schools/coaches making changes in late summer this season. Would like to see Houseright given a chance at the HC job before someonelse steps in and offers him a great deal somehwere else.

Didn't see field for grundy but honestly can't imagine the field being any worse than it was. After 1st qtr it was a mud pit. You two agree?!?! The apocalypse must be coming!!!

I really can't say I like message boards much. So I don't look to see drama. I will say much asked about Giles this year. Like most schools the Spartans are having down year. Making down year worse is fact of so many injuries. Bad luck seems to be catching Giles . I suppose so many great years . The Spartans were due a subpar. For the most part the kids are trying. Barring a couple ME players the rest of team seems Spartan like. Meaning they have pride. Moving foward Giles could be ok next year. That is if this... kids and staff just take time and rejuvenate the Spartan way. Allow prima Dona attitude to stay away. Keep stragglers off sideline. If that makes sense? It happens all over. Giles is having that year . Drain the swamp of bad breath . The staff didn't forget how to coach . The kids with The Spartan way didnt forget how to play. Sometimes you just not supposed to be as good as past. Still kids deserve fan base that admires the Spartan way some have given. Fans... get over yourself. The coaches and kids work hard. So hard they allowed you to stick your chest out. Later!

This is what I thought would be the main takeaway from my post lol.

We don't like to share our Park magic. Haha

Given the emphasis on camps/combines today in the recruiting process. What are some of the best to attend? What grade level should kids start attending?

I would love for VHS to play Union. Not because I think we would win, but I would like for my kid to get a chance to experience some good old SWVA postseason magic at The Park lol

I like this question. Maybe it could be split up into two categories. Speed/shiftiness and power. When comparing the all-time great RBs, how does one compare, say, Barry Sanders and Earl Campbell. Two completely different styles, but both very effective!

Best RB in the area?

I do agree he is top notch, I think Adkins from Ridgeview is a little better.

He’s right! In all honesty, I hope I can achieve his skill level one day. Most people think we just drop out of the sky on Fridays and will never understand the work, level of understanding and people skills involved in our roles as officials.

Not a question, but based on a discussion concerning points from podcast 34, here's some way too early projections to talk about. Barring a win by Abingdon, 1 and 2 are pretty well set. Graham/Richlands are playing for the #3 seed. Union will most likely play Virginia High or Tazewell in the first round. Tazewell can get as high as #5 if VERY, VERY unlikely circumstances go in their favor. Can't wait to see how these games shake out over the next 4 weeks. If Graham defeats Richlands and Grayson defeats Galax... 1.) Ridgeview 10-0 278 2.) Union 9-1 260 3.) Grayson Co 9-1 248 4.) Graham 9-1 244 5.) Richlands 6-4 226 If Grayson loses to Galax (most likely) and Graham defeats Richlands... 1.) Ridgeview 10-0 278 2.) Union 9-1 260 3.) Graham 9-1 244 4.) Grayson Co 8-2 230 5.) Richlands 6-4 226 If Richlands defeats Graham... 1.) Ridgeview 10-0 278 2.) Union 9-1 262 3.) Grayson Co 9-1 248 4.) Richlands 7-3 245 5.) Graham 8-2 227 If Richlands defeats Graham AND Grayson loses to Galax... 1.) Ridgeview 10-0 278 2.) Union 9-1 262 3.) Richlands 7-3 245 4.) Grayson Co 8-2 230 5.) Graham 8-2 227

Va High has the best RB in the area. The only problem is, he only plays LB. 🤷🏼‍♂️

Union plays in house with their youth football. Don't have much drop off there. Coaching makes a difference, Travis and his staff actually coach their jv and varsity in practice. Lee has had good kids for a long time but again coaching makes the difference. This is from one that has coached and operated the lee youth program.

Little late coming to the party after a long trip. But maybe you have seen something that we haven't. I know can't use the transitive properties however, all Grundy could do was muster up 14 against Hurley. On a mud pool field Tazewell dropped 52 on them. Mike jones had 156 yds on 6 carries. I'm not saying that Jones is the best but I do have to question just how good Fiser really is.

Lee was CRAZY to fire Martin. As far as coaches feeling the pressure, you gotta wonder about the situation at Kingsport DB. That’s a high dollar job, and $ comes with expectations.

Is it basketball season yet?

We have two great band directors. That is for certain.

Yeah back in the 92 season. GW and Grayson County had identical records 9-1. We got in over GW because of a slight edge in power points.

You can’t control your competition. All he can do is look at the tram on the schedule and go out and run the ball. And he’s done it well. I think if you put him behind the lines of Ridgeview or Union or Chilhowie, he’d have the same numbers against better competition. But that’s just the way I view it. Kid is on pace to hit 2,500 yards and regardless of class, that’s not something you see every year.

I don't want to take anything away from Grundy or Mr. Fiser, but is he the best RB in SWVA? With the exception of Ridgeview, Grundy's schedule hasn't been filled with stellar competition thus far. He had 78 yards against Ridgeview and 54 of that came when the score was already 40-6. How many yards would Adkins, Sexton, Rose, Jones, Polier, Harris or Jenkins have if they played River View(1-6), Lebanon(0-6), Hurley(3-4), Montcalm(0-6), Twin Valley(3-4) or Honaker(3-3)? Maybe he is the best 1A RB(although Sanchez may disagree) against similar competition, but I don't think a case can be made that he is the best overall RB in SWVA. Perhaps I'm wrong though.

Caleb Jennings probably had 10 touchdowns or more called back for holding penalties too. That’s one thing I remember about him. The yards and the touchdowns he had called back would’ve been enough to make an all region team

*trying to decipher posts on the forum* *immediately sees importance of education*

I would be stunned if Botetourt keeps it within 2 scores.