Games you hate to lose

[HM3-8404 103]

I can handle when a team that is better than you or even close to you talent wise beats you. I can also handle if you lose on some lucky bounce or fluke play beats you. I really hate it when the refs beat you or when your team just comes out flat and gets beat. As a Richlands fan I can remember some loses that i can live with and some I will never get over.

Live with list first

1) The last time Graham beat us. At home ended our streak lost it on a fluke fumble by them that they picked up in the endzone after being stopped near the end of the game. I think we had the better team

2) State game against Monticello the team that year played much better than they were.

3) Bluefield game at Ernie they beat us by a field goal late in the game one of the most evenly matched games i've watched.Maybe 2007

 

Games that kill me

1) Bluefield game at Mitchell in the early 2000's when Timmy Brown was our QB. the worst officiated game in history more police at that game the refs ran off the field under an armed escort never play the Beavers late in the season at home if they need a win to make playoffs

2) State game in 2010 against the Bulls second worst officiated game ever have a DVD of that game with a play by play from the Bulls radio station even they couldn't  believe what was going on we had a much better team

3) State game against Turner Ashby we came out flat in that one the only bad game we had that year

4) Gate City game away in I think 2008 one of the few times in the last 15 years that we got beat down in every aspect of the game we looked like a peewee team in that game 

5) Union the last two years total break downs

6) Cave Spring every time they have beat us we had the better team every time. Got out coached. One of the few teams that have out coached us on a regular basis in the last 20 years

 

[Val 16]

Talk about one you hate to loose I am a 1976 grad BLUE runs from my veins. I still remember the Jim Hammond Days [Dark Times] but the Poquoson State Game will live with me forever. My wife is from Poquoson and her father was a star athlete from there so we made the trip to the game. Me on the Blue side her and her father on the other side mind you the first time my wife saw Richlands  play she was in total shock of how well they were coached and the fan support she made the comment they look like a college team. What a long ride home both of them celebrating their first State Championship. This almost killed me what a nightmare I don't think I will ever get over this one. But I am an avid supporter and follower plus I listen to all the games on Friday Night's here in Tidewater we are tuned into the BLUES doesn't matter if we are home or on the boat it's a Tornado night.

[Union_Fan 2,154]

Talk about one you hate to loose I am a 1976 grad BLUE runs from my veins. I still remember the Jim Hammond Days [Dark Times] but the Poquoson State Game will live with me forever. My wife is from Poquoson and her father was a star athlete from there so we made the trip to the game. Me on the Blue side her and her father on the other side mind you the first time my wife saw Richlands  play she was in total shock of how well they were coached and the fan support she made the comment they look like a college team. What a long ride home both of them celebrating their first State Championship. This almost killed me what a nightmare I don't think I will ever get over this one. But I am an avid supporter and follower plus I listen to all the games on Friday Night's here in Tidewater we are tuned into the BLUES doesn't matter if we are home or on the boat it's a Tornado night.

 

I watched Richlands DESTROY Powell Valley in 2010. I made the same comments after the game...that they looked like a college team and would win State that year. They could have scored 100 points or more in that game. I, too, was shocked that they didn't beat Poquoson. One of the most dominate high schools teams that I had ever seen in this area.

[cityofRaven 2,443]

2003 loss to Tazewell still haunts me to this day. 

 

And 2004 to Salem is a close second. 

[GMan 3,569]

I have five Graham games that stick out in my mind...

 

#1-  Graham at Martinsville, 1981 AA State Semifinals...Graham went to the Dog House 12-0 after skiing past Tazewell 6-3 in the infamous "Snow Bowl".  The G-Men were the recipients of several bad calls including a called TD for Martinsville on a pass that 1) the receiver never caught, and 2) the receiver was about two yards short and two yards out of bounds when the ball got to him.

 

#2-  Graham at Rustburg, 1990 AA Division 3 State Semifinals...Once again, the G-Men rolled into Red Devil Stadium sporting a spotless 12-0 record but the G-Men struggled on O with multiple turnovers.  However, the G-Men still had the lead late in the game, 14-13, when Rustburg attempted their first field goal of the year from about 30 yards out.  The kick  was about 20 feet wide right when it crossed the end line but the two officials under the goal post ruled it good.  Graham had one last chance but another turnover ended Graham's season...G-Men lose, 16-14.

 

#3-  Graham at Radford, 1991 Region IV Division 3 Championship...The G-Men had rolled the Bobcats just two weeks earlier in a dominating 27-11 victory to end the regular season.  However, the G-Men had to go on the road for the Region IV Championship game.  Unfortunately, they never showed up for the game.  Radford threw slant after slant and moved the ball up and down the field at will against the G-Men.  Bobcats win the Region, 33-14.

 

#4-  Tazewell at Graham, 1999 Region IV Division 3 Semi-final...Graham had rolled Tazewell 49-22 earlier in the season at Tazewell.  The G-Men looked like they had a free pass to the Region Championship with Tazewell coming to town.  Wrong.  The Bulldogs came out fired up and used great special teams play to knock the G-Men out of the playoffs, 21-14.

 

#5-  Graham vs. Harrisonburg, 2001 Class AA Division 3 State Championship...The Graham juggernaut rolled into Liberty University sporting a 12-1 record and averaging over 55 points/game in their previous three playoff games.  The G-Men were set to take home their third state championship since 1989.  Someone forgot to tell the Blue Streaks.  Harrisonburg held the G-Men to a season low in points as they went on to a 24-10 victory.

[redtiger 1,740]

2013 loss to Altavista. If a few things had of went different Haysi might have pulled out a win. Closer than a lot of people think, Haysi had a shot. The Tigers abandoned the run and the passing game just wasnt consistant enough. Other than a couple of early mistakes it was a pretty even game.

 

2014 loss to Essex. A few adjustments and Haysi would have gotten the win. Again, abandoned the run and the passing game wasnt consistant.

[trumpet1988 289]

For Powell Valley:

1. 1999 against JJ Kelly. Powell Valley had gone 14-0 in 1997 and 1998. They were off to a 6-0 start. Then comes the game against a weaker and inferior JJ Kelly team, yet very much improved. The Indians handed Powell Valley their first loss since Giles beat PV in the 1996 State Semis.

2. 2003 Region D D2 semi finals against Gate City. The Vikings lost 27-12 not even a month before that. The first half of the rematch didn't even predict what would happen in the second half. Halftime score was 14-13 in favor of Gate City. Second half starts. Powell Valley falls completely apart and Gate City just piled it on. 49-13. Gate City then cruised to the trophy.

3. 2004 State championship game against Manassas Park. Powell Valley hadn't won it since 1998 and they were hungry for it. It was the last few minutes in particular that killed me. Powell Valley down 20-13. PV was driving to I believe the Manassas Park 15.False start. Then Brad Robbins gets sacked. Then a pick. If those 3 issues didn't happen, PV could have scored quickly, gotten the two-point conversion, held on and won. 

[trumpet1988 289]

I can handle when a team that is better than you or even close to you talent wise beats you. I can also handle if you lose on some lucky bounce or fluke play beats you. I really hate it when the refs beat you or when your team just comes out flat and gets beat. As a Richlands fan I can remember some loses that i can live with and some I will never get over.

Live with list first

1) The last time Graham beat us. At home ended our streak lost it on a fluke fumble by them that they picked up in the endzone after being stopped near the end of the game. I think we had the better team

2) State game against Monticello the team that year played much better than they were.

3) Bluefield game at Ernie they beat us by a field goal late in the game one of the most evenly matched games i've watched.Maybe 2007

 

Games that kill me

1) Bluefield game at Mitchell in the early 2000's when Timmy Brown was our QB. the worst officiated game in history more police at that game the refs ran off the field under an armed escort never play the Beavers late in the season at home if they need a win to make playoffs

2) State game in 2010 against the Bulls second worst officiated game ever have a DVD of that game with a play by play from the Bulls radio station even they couldn't  believe what was going on we had a much better team

3) State game against Turner Ashby we came out flat in that one the only bad game we had that year

4) Gate City game away in I think 2008 one of the few times in the last 15 years that we got beat down in every aspect of the game we looked like a peewee team in that game 

5) Union the last two years total break downs

6) Cave Spring every time they have beat us we had the better team every time. Got out coached. One of the few teams that have out coached us on a regular basis in the last 20 years

If the 2013 Union game had gone into overtime then I don't think Union would have pulled away with the win.

[sixcat 2,919]

It wasn't football but baseball.  I was in elementary school when Fries played JJ Kelly in the state semifinals.  I was very young but as best I can remember, it went something like this.  Bill Moore pitched a complete game no-hitter and lost 1-0.  The only baserunner he allowed was on a dropped 3rd strike.  The catcher became rattled and 3 passed balls later, the lone run of the game scored.  Classic pitchers duel.  I believe Fries only had a couple of hits.  Bill went on to win a national championship at King.  Kelly went on to win the state championship fairly easily.  

 

It was the closest Fries ever came to winning a state championship in anything other than tennis.

[Deleted Account 5,203]

I would probably have added a #6:

 

Graham/Gretna - 2003 D3 semifinals.

[GMan 3,569]

I would probably have added a #6:

 

Graham/Gretna - 2003 D3 semifinals.

 

Why?  Graham may have had the best player on the field but Gretna had a much better team.  They were much more than a one-man-show, like Graham was.

[EH31 2,517]

08 r4d3 final

[Ryan4VT 4,550]

08 r4d3 final

What a great game that was.

[Deleted Account 5,203]

Why? Graham may have had the best player on the field but Gretna had a much better team. They were much more than a one-man-show, like Graham was.

Graham had no business being in that game. They weren't. Then they were. Then they had the ball with 5:50 to go 85 yards for an impossible comeback win.

 

Counts as a heartbreaker for me.

[EH31 2,517]

What a great game that was.

not for me lol

[Ryan4VT 4,550]

not for me lol

 

It was for the western end. :)

[HurricaneWarning 212]

2005-Richlands 16 Marion 14.......Late in the fourth quarter, Lyon runs for a 50 yard touchdown and it's called back for a holding penalty.

[GC_Quincy 582]

I could mention many, but watching us fall across the goal line 3 times and still lose 7-0 at Rustburg in the state semi's may never be topped.

[GC_Devils 38]

I could mention many, but watching us fall across the goal line 3 times and still lose 7-0 at Rustburg in the state semi's may never be topped.

No argument here. Not to mention the 4 hour trip and the 30 degree freezing rain. What an awful day. 

 

In addition:  96 Brookville, 02 GW, last year Richlands is probably on that list. 

[redtiger 1,740]

I could mention many, but watching us fall across the goal line 3 times and still lose 7-0 at Rustburg in the state semi's may never be topped.

Ouch! Im not up on my GC history(really all I have is a deep dislike of their fans and a great respect for their team). Give me some details please

[GC_Devils 38]

Ouch! Im not up on my GC history(really all I have is a deep dislike of their fans and a great respect for their team). Give me some details please

 

Quincy could probably give you a better answer but I remember at least one was called back by a phantom and late (running back was already in the end zone giving the ball to the ref) holding call, and the last one we crossed the goal line by two yards before fumbling. And thanks for the vote of support in our fans haha

[GC_Quincy 582]

Once our back was laying across the goal line, and they moved it back to the 1" line. Second time, we were celebrating a TD and as GC said, the ball was handed to the ref when we were called for holding. Only time in my life I've seen a holding call from the 1" line. To beat it all, my wife (at the time) had just bought a new car and on our way back home through the rain and sleet, we came upon a deer laying in the middle of the road and I hit it. So all in all, a very bad day...lol

[WaveFan09 50]

Virginia High.

[Jason 299]

I could mention many, but watching us fall across the goal line 3 times and still lose 7-0 at Rustburg in the state semi's may never be topped.

05 @ Powell Valley is pretty close.

[Bulldogs52 482]

I have five Graham games that stick out in my mind...

 

#1-  Graham at Martinsville, 1981 AA State Semifinals...Graham went to the Dog House 12-0 after skiing past Tazewell 6-3 in the infamous "Snow Bowl".  The G-Men were the recipients of several bad calls including a called TD for Martinsville on a pass that 1) the receiver never caught, and 2) the receiver was about two yards short and two yards out of bounds when the ball got to him.

 

#2-  Graham at Rustburg, 1990 AA Division 3 State Semifinals...Once again, the G-Men rolled into Red Devil Stadium sporting a spotless 12-0 record but the G-Men struggled on O with multiple turnovers.  However, the G-Men still had the lead late in the game, 14-13, when Rustburg attempted their first field goal of the year from about 30 yards out.  The kick  was about 20 feet wide right when it crossed the end line but the two officials under the goal post ruled it good.  Graham had one last chance but another turnover ended Graham's season...G-Men lose, 16-14.

 

#3-  Graham at Radford, 1991 Region IV Division 3 Championship...The G-Men had rolled the Bobcats just two weeks earlier in a dominating 27-11 victory to end the regular season.  However, the G-Men had to go on the road for the Region IV Championship game.  Unfortunately, they never showed up for the game.  Radford threw slant after slant and moved the ball up and down the field at will against the G-Men.  Bobcats win the Region, 33-14.

 

#4-  Tazewell at Graham, 1999 Region IV Division 3 Semi-final...Graham had rolled Tazewell 49-22 earlier in the season at Tazewell.  The G-Men looked like they had a free pass to the Region Championship with Tazewell coming to town.  Wrong.  The Bulldogs came out fired up and used great special teams play to knock the G-Men out of the playoffs, 21-14.

 

#5-  Graham vs. Harrisonburg, 2001 Class AA Division 3 State Championship...The Graham juggernaut rolled into Liberty University sporting a 12-1 record and averaging over 55 points/game in their previous three playoff games.  The G-Men were set to take home their third state championship since 1989.  Someone forgot to tell the Blue Streaks.  Harrisonburg held the G-Men to a season low in points as they went on to a 24-10 victory.

 

 

 

 

G-Man I remember that game, it was like a college atmosphere at Mitchell Stadium that day, Sugar Ray had rushed for over 100 yards every game that season! Late in the 4th qt he was held to negative yards till he busted out a 99 yard touchdown run!  If it wasn't for the blocked punt which I think the Graham punter got his  leg broken on the G-Men would had won the game because they had taken over momentum in the game.