chipinbogey

We did it folks! Now is the official presser going to be at Emory or.....

The title games are generally on one of the local stations out of the Tri-Cities and you get the whole series both days, or it may be 3 days. I want to say it is on the CW usually but do not hold me to that.

This is exactly the reason. Buchanan County has spent millions developing flat land (nonexistent outside of surface mine reclamation sites, like the one that has been developed) to create more modern facilities and drive the county into a more modern era. God forbid they used some foresight and selected this to be built close to the CFX connectors, not in a flood plain(also tough to do in Buchanan County) and what is developing as the "new" town. I remember when Whitewood and Garden consolidated and at the time, you would have thought we were on the verge of war. Turns out the kids adjusted just fine, and the throngs of petty adults eventually accepted the fact that Buchanan County's population continues to dwindle, coal isn't making a comeback, and while community schools are a sense of pride, they must concede to the fact that one newer and full school is better than 2 or 3 half full schools that bleed the county year in and year out.

I normally stay out of these types of talks. I am hopeful they find someone who can turn such a tradition-rich program back into a winner. A formidable Richlands team is better for the health of SWVA football as a whole. The talent cycles and swings of area are now commonplace at almost every school except a handful. Richlands was one of those handful, and I think it still is even today. There's not many places that compare to a rocking Ernie Hicks on a Friday in the fall. They have facilities, community support, and some hard-nosed kids. Those are what SWVA football is all about. They have faced the perfect storm to bring the program to where it is now, and it will be fun to watch the resurgence.

It would make entirely too much sense to do that. The consolidation talk has been going on there for as long as I can remember, and they still insist on operating 3 older school buildings in need of replacement.

Who knows though, because as stated, the field was a mud bog, and the "lines" were moving during warmups. One of the biggest "what if's" I still wonder about regularly.

Alvin Mack is getting that Adidas NIL deal I hear too.....might get Lattimer to come along too.

IIRC, Richlands was proposed but, I think the bleachers at Ernie Hicks on the visitor's side were not considered up to par either. I don't think you could have found a field that wasn't muddy that week. I still wonder what truly went down on the landlines between Grundy, Salem, and Charlottesville in the week leading up to that and I am positive it would be great fodder for these conversations. Ironically enough, since the bleachers were installed on the visitor's side at Grundy, they have not hosted a state semifinal game while appearing in two on the road.

I'm just going to state the obvious here. Those 90's SWVA Friday night atmospheres were built DIFFERENT.

We've seen this more and more over the past decade or so. Athletic departments have realized that you cannot add another way to deter the already shrinking crowds in the area. Interest is already down, our populations in the area are shrinking and, there are so many more ways to consume the game than showing up to the stadium on Friday. Remember that most athletic departments' "break-even" point heavily depends on the gate success of 2 sports. By changing a date due to weather, they are protecting their interests, the local businesses who sponsor the advertisements you see around stadiums and in programs(do they still sell programs?), and most importantly the safety of the student-athletes that this silly board and passionate fanbases rally around. When one of those sports takes place in extremely variable conditions, those 4 or 5 home dates become even more valuable in creating the most ideal environment to get Joe Townsperson's $7 at the gate and $5 to support the band for popcorn and a pop, Tommy Insurance Agent's ad seen, or keeping Jimmy Football healthy for a deep playoff run.

The great thing about the internet is it gives everyone in the world a way to connect. The bad thing about the internet is it gives everyone in the world a way to connect.

This is top-tier SWVA Sports content. More of this!

Will this game be on the radio anywhere? I am traveling tonight and will need some entertainment to stream.

Do not think a Stacy Carter coached team will be unprepared for anything that can occur. The man routinely reviews defending the Emory and Henry spread during walk through's. If you know about the E&H spread, what Hardee's do you go to every morning for biscuits with the boys?

We had 3 of that crew not return this season. It's a rebuilding year😆