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.
My guess is they are putting it where land is accessible and where its convenient to as much of the county population as possible. Thats just a guess as I dont know Buchanon County that well. That being said there are kids who ride the bus for an hour and a half going to Rye Cove and its 68 years old for the current school building. Why is it where its at? Its where the land was already owned by the school system and the largest part of the population was at the time. In hindsight moving it to Duffield would have been much better for drive time for what became the school enrollment.
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.
Considering what Grundy once held in school enrollment Im not sure they they couldnt just move all of them to Grundy until the new facility is built.
-Well other than people being hardheaded.
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.
Many would argue that they did indeed punch it in.
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.
The picture above is from a Division 2 game in 1993. The seating specifications for D2 and D4, the division Grundy and Salem we're in, we're a little more, plus Grundy only had seating on one side.
Also, the matchup between Grundy/Salem came a few years after the infamous game in Richlands so I'm sure Salem were going to make a fuss about anything down this way given the chance.
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.
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.
What we see tomorrow night will probably mirror next week as far as offensive formation. So, I want to see our front 4 contain the run while getting pressure on the QB. And for our DBs to play tight on the pass and get some picks.
On offense, I hope we actually run the T some because I think it will come in handy against SH. It seems like TN teams run some variation of a spread offense even if they are run heavy. I don't think SH will initially be prepared for the T. Might give us an advantage early. Also, if we can get 3 yards a carry, we can wear them down and shorten the game. Keep their athletes off the field.
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?
Did @chipinbogey get a different crew this year? I saw that crew twice last year and I thought they did a great job. However, new blood is always a good thing. I'm sure they can always use more officials.
We had 3 of that crew not return this season. It's a rebuilding year😆
Ahhh, temps and humidity are high, pads are popping after school, and ADM is being discussed ad nauseum. I guess I better go start packing my gear and testing radios because football time in SWVA is here. LET'S GO!
Middlesboro is the 5th on the all time wins list for all Kentucky teams. Late 90s they had teams as good and several better than the 98 pv vikings. Their coach died and then they took a page out of lee highs playbook with coachevery 4 years before settling on coach French who is 2nd or 3rd on the all time wins as a coach.
As far as reffing goes they do the exact same thing the AoA does in VA. They send their more experienced refs to other match ups and use their inexperienced refs for their out of state match ups.
The last part of the statement is inaccurate. Crews are assigned two weeks out, and sure, you have your best crews on your highest profile games or games with biggest playoff implications. There is a thought process on who goes where each week(we have approximately 10-12 days of notice). I can recall at least 2 games I worked last season featuring an out of state opponent and no less than 60 years of (combined)experience was on each of those fields. Games featuring an out of state opponent do not automatically get the inexperienced crews. Where you really see the experienced guys is past round 2 of the playoffs. With the numbers the way they are, we are just happy to get the games covered every week, putting newer guys with veterans to gain them valuable experience in a big game environment is not uncommon. Contrary to popular belief, we are ALWAYS trying to improve and elevate the level of officiating in our part of the state for the student-athletes and member schools we serve.
With all these Thursday games, is the AOA going to have enough referees?
We're good. If anything, you may see some crews more than once this weekend or some pretty stout pieced together crews with solid experience across the field if they normally do not work together. When I came in, no first or second year officials got playoff games, now it is necessary by the numbers to put them there. That being said, with how lopsided some of these first round matchups should be, not only is it great that we have enough to cover, but we are getting those newer guys some real playoff experience and learning from some of the veterans.
1995 Grundy v Richlands Playoff. Grundy went 80 something yards with about 1:10 left and threw a walk off TD as time expired to spur their first run to the state semis.
Someone mentioned the 1996 Grundy v Salem state semi. being a great game but I just remember being so cold and so drenched. 6-0 played at Tazewell when it was R4's turn to host that semi and Salem didn't want to make the full trip. I'd love to find that one on Youtube.
Just from my experiences. The Cliff is by far the toughest place to play in 1A when it's rowdy. One set of bleachers and allllll that noise deflects off the mountain. JI Burton can get that way when they have something to cheer about, I've had to turn on the jets to get out of there a time or two. 2A Bullitt hands down. I've seen Ernie Hicks rock before, but as has been discussed at great lengths in many, many other posts, it will be a long time before it was ever like it was when they were really good.
Doubling down on Martinsburg being a powerhouse with no end in sight to their reign, take a look at their website. Look at their practice and event schedule. Mandatory character development sessions, optional devotional studies. There's definitely more than X's and O's being taught up there folks. That is what it truly takes to develop a winning culture.
I would love to get Brady back in the room with me and revive the SWVA Sports Podcast just to have Vaught on the line and ask him that very question lol.
Man....I miss the podcast. That was a staple of the afternoon pregame on the way to wherever I was heading. BRING IT BACK! BRING IT BACK!
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New Head Coach at Richlands
in SWVA Football
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We did it folks!
Now is the official presser going to be at Emory or.....