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Showing content with the highest reputation on 10/30/2018 in all areas

  1. Allow me to clarify. It's not that it had been 6 years since they beat Amherst. Last night's victory was apparently the first for Liberty (formerly Bedford) Middle School in ANY football game since 2012. My 2nd born son is a member of the team (mostly bench sitting WR/DB this year) and he was only in for a couple of plays. But he and his teammates are walking a little prouder this morning. I asked him what they did to commemorate a win the next day in school (like wearing their jerseys, for example). He obviously didn't know. Sorry that this isn't SW Virginia related or probably even of interest to very many people. Just wanted to indulge in my own little Moment of Zen.
    7 points
  2. Ryan4VT

    Akers Out at GC?

    Can you get the job after being let go from the previous staff? Asking for a friend?
    3 points
  3. F@lcon

    Abingdon 3A

    You can argue logistics about the enrollment forever and not change each other's minds. I will say that the biggest advantage of Abingdon playing in the local 2A district is $$$ for all the schools programs. Abingdon travels as well as any other team in southwest Virginia. The football programs are the cash cow for each schools booster's and athletic funds. In the past, the main rivalries for Abingdon were with Richlands, Battle and VA High. Now, in only a couple seasons, we have seen new rivalries come out. The Ridgeview home game had the biggest overall attendance of the season at Abingdon. The Union game at Big Stone had a very sizable crowd on both sides even though it was nasty and being televised which would tempt many to stay home and watch. When 3A schools come to Abingdon, they seldom bring any fans with them. That is one of the great things about small town football, when you have a rivalry game that is where everyone wants to be.
    3 points
  4. F@lcon

    Akers Out at GC?

    The thing with Reed is that the original group he inherited had some great talent (many playing college ball with most of them currently playing for Emory and Henry). That is why the previous coach was ran out of town. Abingdon is heavily influenced by Emory alumni so they wanted Reed (an Emory alum) to come in and lead the team. This came back to bite them in the end. The strength of the group lied in the explosive passing game with Sturgill, Yates brothers, Wallace, and others who could put up big numbers. They had a good size line and athletes in the backfield. The perfect mix for the spread offense. Reed followed this plan early. Sturgill as a junior led the team fairly deep in the 3A playoffs and had some big college interest. in the offseason, Reed proceeds to convert the team into a primarily running team and only throwing in desperate situations. Numbers go down, Sturgill's stock dropped and the Falcons did not have the season everyone hoped for. During the change in game plan instilled by Reed, he instructed the JV and 8th grade coaches to scrap any passing game and focus on the run game so that he could change the entire program leading up to him. That caused much disruption with the coaching staff causing many to leave. It ticked off influential parents and ran off a lot of kids in the program because everything they had been accustomed to and succeeded at had been yanked out from under them. This is not uncommon for a new coach to change things to their style but this was too drastic of a change and, in my opinion, this doesn't work at the 3A level. The reason 1A and 2A schools from this area are successful in the post season is because of the power game and smash mouth football. Our kids are typically big and strong and work hard to succeed. At the 3A level, once you get away from southwest VA you find teams with a better crop of athletes and the speed of the secondary shut you down. That made the spread, high flying offense effective for Abingdon. You can see similar comparisons in the 2A with Graham's speed in the secondary. Reed may be a good coach at Gate City because their program was built on the power run game but I don't think he is equipped to coach different styles.
    3 points
  5. 🤣🤣 Some believe that the New England Patriots can’t beat Union
    2 points
  6. sixcat

    Akers Out at GC?

    Specialization may be beneficial to some just like playing a variety of sports is beneficial to others. Had McClung played other sports at Gate City, he likely wouldn't have gotten the notoriety and attention from major college programs because he wouldn't have been on the AAU circuit nearly as often. But he would still have been a tremendous basketball talent. Chris Shreve played 4 sports at Grayson before becoming a football star at Virginia Tech and landing on the practice squad of the Green Bay Packers. Wes Self played 3 sports at Grayson before setting virtually every pitching record at Davidson University. He was a two-time state player of the year in baseball as well as a first team all-state basketball player. At one time, he was Grayson's all time leading scorer, rebounder and career leader in 3-pointers made. He had more than 40 D1 scholarship offers for baseball and more than a dozen for basketball if memory serves. His name still litters the Davidson University baseball record book. Jimmy Gobble played at least 2 sports at John Battle before being drafted by the Kansas City Royals. My brother played basketball and baseball against Gobble for two years. Josh Shoemaker played at least 2 sports in high school. My brother played basketball and football against him for two years. He replaced Tim Duncan as the starting center for Wake Forest as a freshman. Steven Peoples played 3 sports in high school before becoming the starting FB at Virginia Tech as a freshman. Caleb Spurlin played 4 sports in high school before becoming the starting NT for Appalachian State. He was a 3 time state champion wrestler and could have gone almost anywhere he chose to wrestle. He was also a 1st team all-state baseball player and had opportunities to play D1 baseball. For every kid who specializes, I can offer another who played multiple sports with great success!
    2 points
  7. If I were a supporter of Gate City basketball, I would be thrilled the rest of Virginia believes last season was a one man show!
    2 points
  8. I don’t see Union going very deep in the playoffs this year, I see them going one and done......Just don’t have the depth like they had last year and to conservative on offense. Just my opinion......Defense is not as tough either, I think Polier would be better with his hand on the ground coming off the end, and I have been impressed with #44 at the linebacker position.
    2 points
  9. Falcon Mania

    Akers Out at GC?

    I think what they are getting at is that the last year Coach Colobro and Amburgey were at Abingdon there was quite a bit of disagreement between Reed and the staff. Reed brought in Colobro and once there was success he wanted total control. Not allowing the OC and DC to do their jobs. Majority of the staff left and that's why the staff looked so different last year. Numerous players didn't play last year because of the head coach. Many of those returned this year to play for Amburgey. You do the math Far as I'm concerned. GC can hire whoever they want. If they feel he's their answer. Good for them. Abingdon has a coach players go the extra mile for. Fans love what he is doing for the program and community and I am good with that.
    2 points
  10. Vol Hater

    Abingdon 3A

    This is great I'm definitely a Union homer. But this is a pure laughing matter Did Appalachia, Norton or Pound who were Division 1 back in the day complain about Powell Valley Coeburn and Clintwood being in the LPD while being Dividion 2 Nope just went out there and played. So this argument is a mute point. Yes Union had 7 turnovers Friday nite but last time I checked abingdon played in the same conditions quit crying about it. We got whooped by a better team it shows we have a lackluster weight program plus our lack of depth and most importantly our will to WIN.
    2 points
  11. Giant killer-Richlands and Va High going home early Grayson Co
    2 points
  12. The competitive phase of this game will be over in the 3rd quarter, if not sooner.
    2 points
  13. Has everyone from the board went and applied yet? 😂
    2 points
  14. cityofRaven

    Abingdon 3A

    Geography and grammar are tough sometimes.
    2 points
  15. This is true, unless they meet in the Superbowl, because Union is NFC and they don't play during the regular season. Lol 🙃
    1 point
  16. Most of us foolishly had that mindset last year. Not this year though 🤷🏻‍♂️😂
    1 point
  17. Yes. Battle would get 6th by about 5 points. I'm going to throw out last week scenarios, but was waiting on the official weekly ratings to make sure I start with accurate data.
    1 point
  18. Most of us wouldn't care if it's SWVA related. The human element of the story has tremendous value. Good for those kids!
    1 point
  19. The Meals Tax would be used for (1) school security officers and (2) fire and rescue personnel. The tax would be capped at 4% of prepared meals within Tazewell County (excluding towns). The Board of Supervisors would need to allocate how much goes where, as the referendum doesn’t do that.
    1 point
  20. stu_bean

    Akers Out at GC?

    Being good at basketball usually translates to good hands on the receivers side as well.
    1 point
  21. Yea i watched that game on the NFHS site. Galax definitely outplayed Glenvar, but I also know that Glenvar has improved a lot. Galax may have as well, but Glenvar’s offense is rolling now since adding Street to the backfield. He doesn’t run as hard as Loader but he has more speed and is averaging over 10 yards per carry. Either way, I don’t see Grayson being able to overpower Galax.
    1 point
  22. F@lcon

    Akers Out at GC?

    I am not counting track. I am talking football, baseball, basketball. Sports that require offseason work. Not sure I have seen anyone doing triple jump or shot put outside season. They will run and lift but that is the same for all sports. If you give ample time to each sport, your best sport will suffer somewhat. I watched every one of these kids in various sports over their careers. Heath was a star in all football, basketball, and baseball but gave up basketball to focus on football. Had he focused on baseball instead you may have been watching him in the previous World Series. Thomas and Julius were mediocre at basketball but great athletes, Thomas is by far the best running back I have ever watched live. Julius was quick as lightening and still holds state records in hurdles I think. Justin could score in basketball but half a$$ed it on defense. I only saw shoe in basketball but take away the 6’10” and he plays local college at best. Even according to mcclungs dad, had he not given up football to do the travel ball and offseason camps, there would be no Georgetown offers. He would have possibly followed in Talfords footsteps and played small D1. Calvin still is the best natural athlete I have ever watched. Drafted by Phillies, D1 in basketball with multiple ncaa tournament runs, ncaa dunk champion, D1 track star, and a heck of a football player as well. IMO, talford is the exception. Mcclung would have still probably been able to dunk and encite crowds but the ball handling, jump shot, and overall game knowledge would have never made it to the level he was able to showcase. It would have been interesting for GC to have had Mac at power back, Ervin at TE or even QB, and Dean at receiver.
    1 point
  23. He has a double negative..."can't handle not". He means they can't handle road games.
    1 point
  24. swva_havok_fan

    VOTE Week 11 Top 10

    I'm a Ridgeview guy obviously. Chilhowie and Ridgeview played to a 17-17 deadlock with starters in the game. That seems pretty even to me.
    1 point
  25. That is very true! The playoffs come with a clean slate. I believe we have the right formula to compete with Graham if we stay healthy. You could see early in our game this year, that our power back was headed for a big night before he got hurt. Sustaining long scoring drives would be our best chance against a team with Graham’s speed.
    1 point
  26. Have you heard of East Rockingham? That is a complete team. If they can avoid an upset at the hands of Central Woodstock, I would give them a better than 50-50 chance of winning it all.
    1 point
  27. I hope it is not in the first round... But who knows? The ‘Cats did beat Gretna on the road a few years ago...and if not for a questionable play call, would have gotten Richlands a year or two later. But beating Graham on the road would be a TALL task this season
    1 point
  28. Widespread_Panic

    Akers Out at GC?

    This is one of the worst misconceptions out there in youth sports today. Devoting time to just one sport year round is not making players any better. I'd take an athlete from the 80s who played the big 3 sports over any kid today who focuses on just one.
    1 point
  29. F@lcon

    Akers Out at GC?

    I think one of the biggest issues with the downturn of football at GC is the sensation of McClung and the rise in popularity of basketball in the youth. At the small school level you have a limited number of top athletes. When your better athletes focus on one sport then the other sports suffer. McClung, Ervin, etc decided to focus on basketball and it brought great support to that program. All the younger kids then start trying to be the next McClung instead of the next Houseright. If they try to do all sports they run the risk of major injury like McCamis at Wise. Plus, to perform at a level like McClung you have to devote to that sport year round. Nothing wrong with that, just an issue that most small schools face. That is why choosing the next coach is so important. Their biggest obstacle isn't going to be just getting what you have in the weight room. Success begins at the youth level. You have to create interest to get as many kids playing as possible so you can optimize your talent when they reach high school.
    1 point
  30. Ryan4VT

    Richlands vs Va High

    Even with that said, 5 is better than 6. I don't see GC beating Galax, so I'd rather travel to the middle of nowhere next week than back to Mitchell for another whooping.
    1 point
  31. Leatherhead Larry

    Akers Out at GC?

    Graham Clark might be able to get the DB job back.
    1 point
  32. Bigtom

    VOTE Week 11 Top 10

    Bluefield- best 1 loss team in area Graham 2nd best 1 loss team Ridgeview 8-1 Pulaski- beat Abingdon Abingdon 7-2 Union- got beat by abingdon and ridgeview Chilhowie- IMO couldnt beat top 6 Galax Radford Ji burton
    1 point
  33. Not true. Most in the pick’em took Grayson. I think it’s this weeks game vs Galax that most will pick against Grayson.
    1 point
  34. Graham Clark is a great coach and an even better person. He's still beloved by many from his days back in Chilhowie.
    1 point
  35. BigWinners

    VOTE Week 11 Top 10

    Chilhowie Bluefield Pulaski Graham Abingdon Ridgeview Galax Grayson Union Radford
    1 point
  36. Grapeape

    Akers Out at GC?

    My apologies to Abingdon & Wise Central on behalf of all Gate Citians. I had no idea that Darren Reed had set your respective programs back so terribly, or cost you the multiple championships that a qualified coach would have won. Maybe Akers will retain him on his staff at Blountville Middle next year. 🎻🎻🎻🎻🎻🎻🎻🎻🎻🎻🎻🎻🎻🎻🎻🎻🎻🎻🎻🎻🎻🎻🎻🎻🎻🎻🎻
    1 point
  37. Rod Johnson Retweeted VHSL REFERENCE‏ @vhslreference MOST WINS LAST 50 GAMES 48 Appomattox 48 Highland Springs 48 Westfield 45 Lafayette 45 Riverheads 44 Eastern View 44 Glenvar 44 Salem 44 Union 43 Colonial Forge 43 Goochland 43 Oscar Smith 42 Dinwiddie 42 Lake Taylor 42 Ocean Lakes 41 L.C. Bird 41 Monacan 41 Phoebus great state
    1 point
  38. Union you heard it here 1st. 1 and done.
    1 point
  39. I don’t see anybody in 1D being a lock for the second round besides Chilhowie. My guess is that Burtons young team “upsets” a few and we get the 4th meeting of them and Chilhowie in 2 years in the region finals.
    1 point
  40. To me it is a wash. Va gives you the same points for playing below your class as in your class which is not good. VA also gives too many points to a team for losing. However they do consider and give weight to who you lose to. WV does not and that is a big negative for WV. In WV losing to the best team in the state in the same as losing to the worst. At least in Va they give you some credit for who you lose to. I have an idea for a system but it involves subtracting various levels of points for losses but it would never fly because below zero ratings would not fit in our "Everybody gets a trophy" world.
    1 point
  41. sixcat

    Abingdon 3A

    This site never ceases to deliver the goods. Every time I seem to be having one of those days in the office, I can swing by here and instantly feel better about my lot in life!
    1 point
  42. Like has been said before, he put a good staff together. That’s what good head coaches do. Hope you’re a scarecrow for Halloween.
    1 point
  43. Deleted Account

    Akers Out at GC?

    Anyone who thinks that Reed was any more than 1/10th responsible for what happened at Abingdon needs to immediately go to the ER for observation.
    1 point
  44. Hokie101

    Abingdon 3A

    Listen, Abingdon is big and strong............ right now!! This is all Darren Reed's doing. They are still benefiting from his short time there.
    1 point
  45. Plywood_King

    Abingdon 3A

    This is literally the exact same thread that was made when Marion won the Hogoheegee a couple of years ago, except with the names changed to protect the guilty.
    1 point
  46. Plywood_King

    Abington 3A

    Fixed that for ya.
    1 point
  47. BigO

    Abingdon 3A

    This entire thread has me belly laughing. So when AHS loses to a 2A team they are wine and cheesers....but when they beat 2A teams they are too big and tough? LMAO.
    1 point
  48. Not to change the subject too much but in 1978 all the schools in Martinsville's District (Piedmont??) voted not to play the Bulldogs in football and by default making them ineligible for the district title. Martinsville had to play a crazy schedule in 1978 and 1979. The VHSL stepped in eventually (after Martinsville took action) and put a stop to that chicken sh*t nonsense and made the district teams play Martinsville. BTW the vote by the other schools to run from Martinsville was unanimous.
    1 point
  49. While I have no respect at all for TJ as a coach, I would never wish injury on a kid. They have a limited number of years to have fun and make memories. After that it’s time for the rest of your life to remember and cherish those days. In my opinion, with the loss of Mullins and now McCamis, Wise would be lucky to have a .500 season. Gate city, abingdon, union, and Battle should be too strong for them and Ridgeview has the potential to be in that mix as well.
    1 point
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