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"Ohhh....New Jersey, I want to take you out on a moonlit night and make out In the back seat of my next door neighbor's car...." Sorry. This thread just triggered my memory of these lyrics from the underappreciated genius that is Joe Piscopo.

2002, Mitchell Stadium, game 10. Bluefield, 5-4, playoff birth on the line. Richlands, 8-1, playoff spot in hand. Officials were so questionable that a disgruntled photographer from the Richlands sideline was escorted out of the stadium by some of Bluefield's finest. The Beavers got their playoff bid and the series was shelved for a few years because of it.

I'm sure your lawyer has advised you to answer "no comment" when they do.

That game.........

So I thought it was during a game (a pic in which I have seen but don't have) but here is an early pic of Big Creek High School and field.

I don't see reporters beating down your door either, but you still feel inclined to pollute this place with your useless commentary.

WARNING/DISCLAIMER: Cranky old man rant to follow. My objection to VHSL Alignment as it is current practiced (and as it has been practiced since 1986) is that it has diminished the level of competition and meaning associated with state championships and competition in general. I realize that the demographics of Virginia have changed considerably within the last 50 years. But using the current number of schools from that article, 60% of all schools within the VHSL will qualify for postseason resulting in state champions who can ultimately claim to be the best team in a pool of 48-55 qualifiers. District and regional (newly restored) championships have very little meaning. And teams that are "fortunate" enough to make it to postseason very often find themselves facing multi-hour bus trips to play in the beginning round. Contrast that to the old three classification system in which 30% of schools at best would even qualify for postseason play (in regions that allowed for 8 playoff teams -- most only allowed for 4, which means that only about 15% of schools would make it). Sure there were some hard luck examples of 9-1 football teams who sat home in November, but making it to the postseason at all was a major accomplishment in and of itself that had real meaning. And missing out on the playoffs by losing 1 game was a true benchmark indicating that only the best of the best made it. The district and region structure also contributed to that sense of accomplishment. Winning championships at either of those levels carried a very tangible and definable cachet -- beyond the fact that you just couldn't advance without winning them. And the contests at the state level were true inter-sectional match ups that further promoted identity and accomplishment. Ironically enough, travel hardships were unusual and limited to the highest performing teams because of the regional- and district-based structure (there were extremes under the old system -- the most glaring example I can think of was a trip Clintwood took to Onancock). But ultimately before 1986, state champions knew that they were the best in a pool of over 100 teams. Given the disparity in school sizes that began to be apparent in the mid 1980s, it does seem that some appropriate action could have been taken. Adding a fourth classification would have diluted the competitive level (reducing Class pools from 100 to about 80), but not at the ridiculous level that the six class system has. The steady abandonment of the district and region promotion hierarchy has only served to further exacerbate the issue. Winning a state championship is still cause for celebration. But because of my long memory, I have to admit that the current context pales in comparison to the old system, and it doesn't mean as much as it once did. And regional and district titles have become about as valuable as participation trophies. Rant over.

Washington County senior league softball team competing in the Senior League World Series this week. They just finished up pool play going 2-2 and will be the #2 seed out of their pool going into Friday's quarterfinals. They face Asofem out of Manuabo, Puerto Rico today at 5:30 in the quarterfinal round. http://www.llbws.org/llbbws/slsbws/worldseries.htm http://www.seniorsoftballws.org/

Princeton IMO by far has the best stadium for a high school football game. Bathrooms were really clean last game I went too. Heck I'd even drop a deuce there if need be.

Northwood has their Blue & White game tonight at 7.

Tricitiessports.com doesn't count. Lol

Do you all remember when Colorado got "5th down" and defeated Mizzou? That was one of the craziest things I've seen in college.

Wyoming East also kicked off to Bluefield after Bluefield had scored TDs...TWICE...

Mac McClung has committed to Rutgers.

Wyoming East would also elect to kick off back to Bluefield after Bluefield would score a touchdown. The stadium announcer said that it was legal. ..just surprised it was used.

From what I recall in the Wyoming East game, the coach at Wyoming East felt Bluefield was running up the score, and they did a couple of weird things in this game. The punted early a couple of times on early downs giving the ball back to Bluefield. They also had a fair catch on a kickoff in the game from their own 35 yard line. The next play, they did a free kick which obviously had no chance and had people stunned and wondering why there would be a 82 yard field goal attempt who were unfamiliar with the rule. Imagine the shock of the fans when the kick clearly fell short, and Bluefield took over possession at the Wyoming East 35.

On a much lighter note, It isn't out of the ordinary to see Oak Hill basketball players at Grayson County football games or it wasn't in the early to mid 90's. A very good friend and I were home on our first leave from the military. Paul grew up on a large Grayson County horse farm and has competed in local Rodeo's since he was a small child. He has always dressed the part but it isn't ornamental. He is a real life "cowboy". We were walking around at the game talking to old friends and former teachers when Paul started getting heckled by the tallest person I had ever seen over the way Paul was dressed. "Hey, look, it's Garth Brooks"! "Sing us a song Garth Brooks"! When that didn't get the response I guess this guy was looking for, he got really vulgar with his heckling. Paul, as only Paul could do, walked over and started singing "Much Too Young To Feel This Damned Old". Everyone within earshot started laughing. It diffused the situation for a moment but the heckler felt embarrassed by the "redneck" showing him up. He took a swing at Paul, who completed one of the greatest "Calf Roping" take-downs you have ever seen on Melvin Whitaker. Absolutely the funniest thing I have ever seen! A few years later, Whitaker was dismissed from UVA after slicing a football players face up with a box cutter during a pick-up basketball game.