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I hope you are a God fearing person, and I hope this post was your way of trying to be funny, but for Mance to say it is in God's hands show's his reliance on the one who created the universe, and for you to make light of that shows pure ignorance on your part. I respect everyone on this board, but if you are making fun of God being in control, I have no respect for that, and I will pray that you had no intention for your post to turn out that way, but that is how I perceived the wording. This has always been a good place for all of us to have a little fun and post our opinions, but making fun of God almighty is going a bit to far, so please tell me that was not your intentions.

Am I the only one that thinks Union blows the bejeezus out of Marion?!

Respect. This link shows Class. @Ryan4VT thanks.

Could he possibly work for a newspaper? Those guys are weird, for sure. :)

I just went to their website. From what I can tell the 2nd round hasn't been posted. Their Facebook page hasn't been updated this year. The VHSL couldn't run a lemonade stand much less effectively govern high school athletics.

Most of your predictions are accurate. I hope that stays true!

5 Years Later

Back to the original topic of this thread. Richlands Vs Union. For a rivalry to exist both sides need victory. For a rivalry to grow both sides need close wins. For a rivalry to be defined both sides need to have suffered lose. Richlands Vs Union has become a rivalry that can be at the top of the list for any rivalry in swva. Union rolled every team this season except Richlands. We faced them two times and both times it was a hard fought win for Union. I give my utmost respect go every young man that strapped on a helmet for the blues this season. They came to our house with no fear in their heart and victory on their mind. They damn near grabbed the W. Be proud blues you all are an impressive and worthy opponent. Can't wait to meet y'all again next season on the gridiron.

He's still playing professionally in the Dominican.

We had cleat gate now we have spy gate just poking fun at you Richlands peeps.

I’m usually a big proponent of teh Googles, but there’s not a sliver of a chance in Hell a person is making it from GHS to UHS in 2:04 unless they’re in a stock car and outrun the police.

This is my favorite thread of all time!

No clue man, I never heard anything else about it honestly

Updated

I'm not sure anyone has ever clearly defined "it" but he has whatever "it" is in spades! #33 is a freshman as well and they are both special talents for the Class 1 level. They both have brothers that will join them on varsity in two years.

Busted

That’s the guy. He came in right before kickoff. It was fairly early in the game when Turner had him removed. Like someone said above, Union has way to many people hanging out on the sidelines any way, but this guy stood out as being out of place. We have a few amateur photographers that take pics and post for parents etc but this guy was not a local.

I highly doubt it was a Richlands person. I went back over some pics and video I took of the game. Pretty sure this is the guy that Turner and the ref ran off the field. Someone can correct me if it's not the same guy.

I've been texting back and forth with my brother about this. I can't stand to feel like I provided faulty information so, I want to get it right and my memory isn't what it used to be. The first was his freshman season and was a preseason/exhibition game at Radford. Radford turned around and lost a week later to Concord. The second wasn't Radford. Bluefield beat Elon a couple of years after my brother graduated.

Exactly about the seniors, and now that Appy/BSG have consolidated primary and middle schools, that childhood bond will only be stronger. James would have been a Viking had consolidation not occurred.

Devon Johnson went to Marshall. Yed that is a great accomplishment but that's not the "highest" level of college football. Im glad you take great pride in your school and the kids that attend it but Im sorry Richlands High School is not the only school in this area that has produced D1 athletes contrary to what many may think. I did not bring up the topic of transfers. But since you mention it, Ive got a son that's in the 8th grade he's 6'4" 240lbs and he can fly. He loves football and it's always been his "dream" to wear that Richlands uniform. Is there anyway possible the Strong's would have a dirt cheap apartment to rent? Lol

There is granny b but it won't be impressive. Best bet would be to hit wards road off of 460 by the airport. Wards road is littered with restruant and your only 20 miles from appo then. I forgot about Bull Daddys on the left as you just come into appo, they are pretty good.

Can you please tell me which "transfer" was recognized at the "highest" level because of Richlands? I think what Greg Mance has been able to accomplish is great for all the kids in our area. It does get old hearing many Richlands fans, coaches, family members, etc. Say that going to Richlands you are punching your ticket to a D1 school. Can someone kill this thread so we dont have to hear how great this Richlands team that didnt win a playoff game was?

I was at this game. Incredible play. But what was coolest of all. The QB was our very own Jake Sturgill. Both UVA-Wise's other QB's Had been knocked out of the game literally, in the first half.

I thought it was ironic situation anyways when I first seen the guy because really, how many people do you honestly see wear trench coats anymore? Not judging, just saying. He goes and stands right behind Travis while he's looking at his laminated sheet around his neck with the plays and pulls his camera up, Travis notices him, runs him off, and then told the officials. I seen him go around and try to hide behind the richlands sideline. The officials confront the county police about it (I'm assuming) because they walked that way as well. And shortly after, Mr. Goforth walks over and has words with the guy.

I’m glad someone else caught that other than me. It happened on my end of the field. Very strange situation. The guy obviously said or did something to get Travis fired up and he had him ran off. Even confronted the official about it. I’ve never seen the man before so he obviously wasn’t a local guy.

2 scores isn't what I call rolling anyone

Very good game, great atmosphere, good sportsmanship on both sides, good and true fans on both sides. This game was as good as it gets, like watching a state final, not a 1 vs 8 by any means. Go easy on the transfers. Richlands has been going to state finals and semi-finals for a long time and the players who transfer do so to increase their chances of being seen on the highest level. Nothing illegal about that, and it Mance and company or Union, or anyone else for that matter is doing anything wrong, the I'm sure the heads of state at VHSL would be on their back right away. Richlands had one player who transferred to Bluefield and played quarterback, his father was a basketball coach at Richlands, so don't get your panties in a wad about the transfers, everyone does it. This final game of Richlands season should have proved that Mance and company can play with anyone even in a down year. So watch your words, the future will eat you up when your team plays Richlands. Hats off to Union, they did what they had to do to win a very tough and hard fought game, wish them well the rest of their season, and know that we will meet again in the not so far off future.

I stated before on this thread and I'll say it again. Union rolls. Despite Richlands (which is a rivalry game and that makes it unpredictable) Union has handled everyone else they played this year. MTW we lost 5 or maybe six 6 turnovers and still won against a school twice our size. That and we have the most physical defense I've seen in years. I think Union wins by two scores

Classy bunch and speaks to the Coaching Staff/Turner. I'm rooting for the Bears to kick arse this coming weekend through the finals and will be rooting them on. If the Bears lose, I will cheer on the SWVA team that wins Region D, and that hasn't changed with me. If the Bears win a title, it would have been a good year in High School Football for me other than the Gate winning one, and of course, we were't anywhere on the planet to getting close, but I ALWAYS root for SWVA teams, regardless of rivals, former rivals, etc, and regardless of some smack talking between rival fans. To the Union fans out there, or more specific, the P. Valley faithful, I do respect the ole Vikings contrary to what you may believe.

First few seasons of Union, that was talked about. "He's from Appy." "That's a PV boy." So forth and so on. Since then, I couldn't tell ya. Haven't heard that mentioned by anyone around me either in quite some time. They have meshed so well, it's not really a topic of conversation any longer. Outside of a few kids, I don't have a clue who's from where. Someone else may know, but not me. Consolidation couldn't have gone better.

I think it's Union by 10-14 points. Union 24, Marion 10 or 14ish. Union is solid up front, and the FBSer in Mitchell accounts for 10 pts, be it a kick off return, long rushing touchdown, or pick six, or a QB hurry up causing a fumble and pick 6, as of right now, it's 10-0 Union with Mitchell and playing at BSG before the game even starts. I don't think it's a blowout, but I think it's something resembling the Union vs Richlands first matchup in regular season in which Union doesn't blow them out by any means, but they control the game from start to finish and it's never in doubt. The major concern with Union in my opinion....and I know, some of you Union fans don't want to hear it because I'm a Gate City guy, but........Travis is a bit conservative offensively. His primary learning sources were legendary Turner style football at Appy and Beamer style offense at Tech. Back in the day, those worked by the way and both were awesome. But, I still think Turner needs to turn the dogs lose offensively. Open up the offense, it's 2017 and you have better talent than most. With that written, before some of you old P. Valley folks respond, I'm saying Turner is not just good, but among the top 3 coaches from Pearisburg, VA to the TN/Kentucky border in Virginia, but.......he has still an area where he can improve (like all coaches and people), and the area of concern with Union in my opinion is the downfield passing game. I'm not talking about the pass that comes when Union is up 14-0 from running the ball and everyone is in the box and Mitchell throws the ball to a WR that is wide open when 9 guys are in the box stopping the run. I'm talking about on 3rd and 7 when you have to throw and the defense knows it. That downfield passing game or lack of it is concerning. It was enough to keep Richlands in the football game a couple of days ago.

It's really odd, because this is something you normally say about players rather than coaches, but it's been fun watching Carroll grow as a coach over the past few years. If you'd have told most folks after Carroll's first season in 2011 that this is where Marion's team would be, I doubt that many people who would've believed you. Talent comes and goes, but having teams that are as fundamentally sound as they are is a reflection of the coaching, and it's all that much more incredible when you consider that looking at a team picture, the coaches are so young that they blend in with the players. There are several assistant coaches at Marion who have very bright futures ahead of them. Regardless, like most folks, I was slow on the bandwagon ("jeez, a young coach who wants to install the spread, before it was cool, at a school that has run the wing-t, straight-t, and wishbone for 40 years"), but I'm drinking the kool-aid. There's no one I'd rather have as head coach at Marion than Joey Carroll.

It is all speculation as Beast said, but I do recall seeing a report on WCYB about the '89 Graham team, discussing how they were 8-0, I think, and hadn't been scored on. I remember turning to my dad and saying, "we don't have to play them do we?" Lol

It was something. I don't know why, but this stands out to me more than anything...seeing guys with their letterman jackets on as far away as Dobyns Bennett. Thinking, wow, this is a bigger deal than I thought. Haha

I wouldn't be opposed with having Qualls play QB 20 snaps, I think we have to open up the offense or Marion will win. But, I think the T shouldn't be used until it's time to run out the clock. The line blocks better in the gun, the RBs can see better and we can attack more ways. I'm fine with Qualls at QB with Mitchell motioning inside to run or be a decoy. I believe Jenkins has to be a factor as well. I know he has issues w ball seceuity but he's too damn good to just not use. Throw him some screens in space.

I gotcha, I get that. I'm not saying we go to the shotgun with Qualls primarily, but just enough to eliminate defenses from just attacking our backfield.

Against stiff competition, I'd rather Mitchell touch it 40 times opposed to 20.

My bad oldfool is wasnt you, I got you mixed up with another one. My mistake

No, but if that happens that means the Beavers are the only team playing in Bluefield on Thanksgiving weekend..so I'm holding onto what little hope there is.

Probably, but I sure hope you're right. Haha

The front seven is stellar. They run a base 3-4, but they haven't seen a team running a T this year, so that may change. Big aggressive linemen with deceptive speed, and some of the most disciplined backers you'll see. The safety unit is also dang near perfect. #11 Hall (ILB - mike, I believe) and #15 Ford (free safety) are the defensive leaders. The weak point of the defense is the corners, who don't have the best depth in the world, although they have looked better in recent weeks. There have points where Marion didn't shift out of the 3-4, even against four wide sets, presumably because putting a nickel on the field weakens the coverage. Historically, Marion has played a lot of man, but we've seen more zone late in the season as they've gone up against more talented receivers. The pass-d is improving, but it's still the weaker point of the defense.

I agree I've never saw that prediction from him either

I can vouch for you, I post on both and you aren't like that at all.

Marion 21 Union 20 in OT

Not about PV beating GC or GC beating PV. It's about the following schools, Gate City, Graham, Radford, Giles, Blacksburg at one point, Martinsville, Jefferson Forest, Rustburg, Park-View Sterling, Courtland, Tabb, Southampton, James Monroe. It's about THEM schools, and I repeat, if you are AA in 1982 or 1985, you can forget it. Martinsville and Blacksburg would have crushed you, and if you somehow win, you get Courtland which was 28 points better. In 1989, you ain't getting out of the Region as Graham would have blasted you in 1989, and Graham and Rustburg would have done the same in 1990. You keep focusing on SWVA and "if we can beat GC, then we must have been able to go ahead and win the title." Like I wrote, take GC off the list and look at the other schools above. These teams aren't Madison County and Central-Lunenberg. I agree with you, numbers don't lie, and back then, single A ball (prior to 1985ish) or Div 2 (big- single A ball 1986ish) was exactly that, and there was a big difference in quality of teams between that level and the next level up.

Recheck your facts your not even close.

That matchup most likely will happen but don't underestimate the Canes

I believe you are correct on the playoff format, we need only 4 teams to make the playoffs. That way union doesn't get a scare, Jib doesn't win, Grayson doesn't win and it's set in stone for 1vs4 2v3 matchups......

Now we get a full week of Appomattox fans whining about that train horn ?