outlook on 2015 season..

[#1BLUESFAN 169]

Who's got the best shot at winning it all in 1a...and 2a....

[Ryan4VT 4,553]

In 2A, I feel like the usual suspects are the ones to look out for. Giles, Gate City, Richlands, and Glenvar are contenders. I look at Ridgeview as a dark horse to upset someone in the playoffs. It's a large jump from 1A to 2A however, and I don't see them as a realistic shot at a run to late December.

 

I obviously know the most about Richlands, so I'll take my take on them. This is a team that went to the state semifinal last year and really, defensively, outplayed Wilson Memorial for the whole game. Turnovers are why Richlands didn't play for a state title. Shot ourselves in the foot. That team lost QB Michaels, RB Griff, WR/DB Vance, DB, Alcie, and some guys on the line.

 

At QB, Jr. John Luke Asbury is the man now. He's a lefty that can absolutely sling the ball all day long. He isn't as quick as Michaels was to jump out of the pocket, and would rather keep looking upfield to find a man breaking open late. To me, he is the key to the season. If he slows the game down between the ears, he can lead this team places. It's all on him to do the growing. And I think he will be ready for the Blue Devils come August.

 

At RB we have Waldron who played with Griff went out last year in the playoffs. He played nicely in the fill in role, but he will be mostly be used at DB this year. The transfer of Blankenship opens Waldron to move to primarily defense, while playing some RB and WR on offense when needed. Look for Elawick to have some carries as well.

 

At WR, you lose Vance, but retain Collins, Adkinson, and now have Brown stepping up. Also hearing rumors that Scottie Ball will be returning to football this year, and he is a WR by trade. You also have Landon Lowe at TE and he will be a huge part of the offense this year.

 

On defense, you lose Vance and Alcie, who was my POTY last year in my opinion. Brown and Waldron take their spots (presumably). Of the 7, most are back from a group that became scary good towards the end of the season last year.

 

If this team gels right, the sky is the limit.

[mv91 259]

Richlands defense should be awesome this year!  We definitely have 2 stud LB's. 

 

As of this moment, I can verify that Scottie Ball is playing football this year (being family helps to verify that info lol). 

 

Our receiving corps with Adkinson, Ball, Collins, Farris, Brown should be very dynamic.  Lowe at TE has a chance to be a beast this year!!  Looking forward to football!! 

[old_school 78]

Don't under estimate Nick Blankenship on defense. He is a great talent as a RB but the kid can play some DB. He may be more talented there than on offense.

 

When he was out with mono, Tazewell suffered because he wasn't on defense for them. He is smart and called a lot of the defense audible for Tazewell.

 

Richlands will be double tough this year for anyone. I look for them to make a long run toward a state title.

 

Abingdon will also be pretty good but AAA playoffs will be tough again for them.  

[Ryan4VT 4,553]

Don't under estimate Nick Blankenship on defense. He is a great talent as a RB but the kid can play some DB. He may be more talented there than on offense.

 

When he was out with mono, Tazewell suffered because he wasn't on defense for them. He is smart and called a lot of the defense audible for Tazewell.

 

Richlands will be double tough this year for anyone. I look for them to make a long run toward a state title.

 

Abingdon will also be pretty good but AAA playoffs will be tough again for them.

I didn't get a chance to see Nick play last year. He was already out by the time the Backyard Brawl rolled around. If he is a good DB then that just helps even more.

[GMan 3,569]

Abingdon will also be pretty good but AAA playoffs will be tough again for them.  

 

Didn't their really good running back transfer to V-High????

[Hokies4Ever 23]

Yes Jordan from Abingdon transferred to Va High. The biggest loss they will have was the graduation of the OLine and D Line. They were really good up front last year.

[futbolking 766]

Once practice starts for real and a game or two are under the belt, I think we will know who the real contenders are. One year can make all the difference in the world. I'll use the 88 Graham team that went 3-7 and the 89 Graham team that went 13-1 and won a state title as reference.

[Deleted Account 5,203]

Once practice starts for real and a game or two are under the belt, I think we will know who the real contenders are. One year can make all the difference in the world. I'll use the 88 Graham team that went 3-7 and the 89 Graham team that went 13-1 and won a state title as reference.

That '88 Graham team lost a bunch of close, low-scoring games, and was obviously the prelude to more coming in '89 and '90.

 

Not sure this is the case with Abingdon at all.

[Mountain man 121]

Abingdon lost some good players. The group that will be juniors this year are the group that a lot of us have been waiting on.

[SWVAFB 218]

Just a few thoughts on 2015 from the Hogo District. Looks like George Wythe will dominate

the Hogo. GW is loaded with skill and speed again, and their line looks solid on both sides

of the ball. Marion will be down, The Big RED lost a lot, but will beat the smaller 1A schools

in the Hogo. Rural Retreat lost quite a bit, but I see them being able to compete. Their schedule

is tough. PH lost quite a bit, but they have the best RB back in the Hogo. Northwood lost a lot

of linemen and skill, so they will be hard pushed to be as good as last year. Holston also lost quite

a few good players, so they will be down a little. Chilhowie lost all their backs, and several linemen

on both sides on the ball from a 1-9 team, so I don't see them winning many games, if they will win any

games at all. Just my early on take on the Hogo for 2015. Who knows, there may be some surprises

down the road. Looking forward to 2015 Football in SWVA.

[PioneerGirl 20]

Just a few thoughts on 2015 from the Hogo District. Looks like George Wythe will dominate

the Hogo. GW is loaded with skill and speed again, and their line looks solid on both sides

of the ball. Marion will be down, The Big RED lost a lot, but will beat the smaller 1A schools

in the Hogo. Rural Retreat lost quite a bit, but I see them being able to compete. Their schedule

is tough. PH lost quite a bit, but they have the best RB back in the Hogo. Northwood lost a lot

of linemen and skill, so they will be hard pushed to be as good as last year. Holston also lost quite

a few good players, so they will be down a little. Chilhowie lost all their backs, and several linemen

on both sides on the ball from a 1-9 team, so I don't see them winning many games, if they will win any

games at all. Just my early on take on the Hogo for 2015. Who knows, there may be some surprises

down the road. Looking forward to 2015 Football in SWVA.

I'm not sure exactly what grade he's going into but Dallas Ward's brother Kelby is transferring from Ft. Chiswell to Marion. (It's a necessity move by their mom for her job, not an academic or athletic move.) I've not actually seen him play, but everyone says he's good just like his brother. That could be a positive for Marion, if not this coming season, at least in years to come.

[RCITYHOO 110]

I'm looking forward to the Radford vs George Wythe game to start the season. Think Radford has really good chance to make some noise this year in 1A. All skill players back and a few lineman return (will miss Chad Williamson)but have high expectations this year for the Cats. As for the 3 Rivers, Giles i think is the team to beat (as always)not sure what Glenvar has returning from state team but this upcoming senior class at Radford is pretty good.

[Akshun 25]

Glenvar has 11 starters returning two being All-State players in Remington Stanley, and Zach Deck. They also return QB Clfford, WR, Stigall, and RB Manns. They lose 1 player on the O-line and Running Back Tyler (Bus) Smith. On Defense they lose LB Stone ,and two D-Lineman. I think Glenvar is the team to beat in 3 Rivers. If healthy, they could defend their State title.  

[RCITYHOO 110]

If that's the case then YES Glenvar is the team to beat in the 3 Rivers.

[TazCoFootball 40]

TAZEWELL COUNTY FOOTBALL

 

TAZEWELL BULLDOGS: As bad as I hate to say it being a bulldog, if we can find a way to maybe win 2 games I will be happy

                                          OFFENSE

                                           Bright spots: lineman Andrew Comer is easily one of the top 5 linemen in the area, but rest of line will very

                                           young.

                                           QB TJ Kitts is a good athlete with a good arm that can get better if Coach Thompson can get back on the staff,

                                           and now with Coach Dudley joining the team that gives them 2 guys that played the position and are offensive

                                           minded which hurt the team last season when Thompson had to step down. The bad part is we have no idea who

                                           he will be handing it or throwing it to, hopefully some unsung heroes we haven't yet heard of will make there presents known.

                                           DEFENSE

                                           DL-COMER, LB-D.CROUSE CB-KITTS once again will need a lot of guys to step up on D

                                           if WR/CB/KR-C BREWSTER PLAYS COULD BE A BRIGHT SPOT FOR THE DAWGS

 

                                           RECORD: 1-9

 

            GRAHAM G-MEN: They are returning a lot of players and with former Graham G-man Tony Palmer as the new head coach I look for more kids to

                                           make the jump from other sports and play football this fall for him

                                           OFFENSE

                                           I look for QB-R Workman to get the nod going in to the season if what I hear is true that Palmer will install the spread offense

                                           RB-I Harris is the favorite to start at running back

                                           WR-D Booker will be the go to guy in the G-Men spread offense with WR-T Cook on the other side that will add size and speed

                                           to their air attack, in the slot position I look for QB/WR-B Meade to have a big season catching balls in open season and         making defenders

                                           miss. the 4th receiver on the field could be any one from WR-P BALLARD to a couple of freshmen looking to get some varsity playing time

                                           the OFFENSIVE LINE will have very good size and strength lead by 3 year starter OL-C Looney

                                           DEFENSE

                                           don't be surprise if you see a little hint of Carlock style defense return to this Graham program, I can see the G-Men bringing a lot more

                                           pressure on the QB with stunts and blitzes then we seen in the past 4 years that by it self should help drop that ppg. ave they had the last

                                           few years. the defense will be lead by DL-A GRAY and DE-J Stevens and LBs-D Hagerman/C Sheets both JRs

                                           with Bluefield, Richlands, Abingdon & Giles in the 1st 5 game if Palmer can find a way to win one of those to get his 1st signature

                                           win a 7-3 1st season would be great for the first year coach

 

                                           RECORD: 6-4

 

RICHLANDS BLUE TORNADOS: Once again I hate to say it lol, but this could be a special team from all the talk around Tazewell co

                                          OFFENSE

                                          QB-JL Asbury has the honor of leading this talented offense that could put a lot of points on the board, he will be called on more his arm then his

                                          feet since he has two very good RBs-B Waldron & N Blankenship I look for both to share the running back duties 50/50

                                          WRs-Farris, Atkinson, Collins, Brown & TE- L Lowe all can take the ball to the endzone on any giving play

                                          OL-L Mance & D Anderson both returning starters on the front they need to replace 3 good senior linemen from last

                                          season to open holes and protect their QB

                                          DEFENSE

                                          if this team wants to win a lot of games it will be at the hands of these guys here returning 9 starters on defense is a lot from a

                                          team that made it to the semis. the front 7 is as good as it gets led by: LB-B Wade will have LBs-C Addison & A Holmes, DLs-L Mance

                                          & D Anderson DEs-K Alley & T Cordle make up a very physical front 7

                                          SS-Waldron & FS-N Blankenship are 2 very good safeties both are physical and good tacklers. one corner spot belongs to CB-Atkinson

                                           the other is up for grabs CB-Farris looks to be the front runner at this time

                                           if they can win the 1st 2 games with Gate City & Union and then Bluefield & Abingdon they could seal up the #1 spot in the playoffs

                                          and home field advantage for the 1st four games

 

                                           RECORD: 10-0

[Ryan4VT 4,553]

Tarter is coming back to the coaching staff at Richlands. That will be a big shot in the arm to special teams and to the overall picture.

[GMan 3,569]

I heard that, with Blankenship coming into the picture, Waldron told Coach Mance he'd rather concentrate on playing defense 100% than splitting duties at RB...

 

We will see what happens. If Blankenship can't stay healthy, I'm sure Waldron will get reps at RB...

[Radiohead 3]

Hey TazCoFootball, I'm still waiting on that helmet I let you borrow from 3 years ago.  

Thanks.