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Well Folks, we would like to apologize about the wrong location of the Castlewood/Honaker game last Friday. Seems like Uncle Percy and Cousin Delbert got their A's & H's mixed up while selecting last week's games. Cousin Hoyt told me that I was "Not To Smart" by allowing these two to pick anything. Cousin Hoyt said that it doesn't a math scholar to figure out that P + D = Purty Dumb. Lets pick this week's losers. Giles at Graham The Feds were successful in capturing the Tazewell Bull Pups. Seems like the town of Bristol had put out an APB on the Bull Pups for disturbing the peace, chasing Bearkats up trees, and mauling Bearkats. Seems like The Feds had no problem apprending these "felons" after the Flat Tail Smackin' they received the previous week. Looks like the "Chicken Wang" may still be broken. The Sparatans have had 2 rough outings to start the season against Blacksburg and Christiansburg. Doesn't look like it's going to get any better this Friday. The Feds should have "The Case of The Broken Wang" solve pretty quick with very little trouble. Lil Leonard's Loser : Giles Chilhowie at Narrows Keeping it on The New River. The Big Green Wave will try to over turn a bunch of canoes with a bunch of Wild Indians on the warpath as they reach the Narrows Bridge this Friday Nite. Now the Green Wave is off to a 2 - 0 start. Last week they gave The Shaker Cats a serious scrubbing and we all know how cats don't like water. Now the Warriors of Chilhowie have taken up the warpath just like last year and have already scalped 2 opponents. These Warriors may have lost several braves from last year's war party but they're still a force to be reckoned with. The Big Green Wave will find out quick that these Warriors can canoe on any type of rough water they encounter. Lil! Leonard's Loser: Narrows Patrick Henry at Hurley Cousin Delbert said he would bet the farm on this pick because the loser would be The Rebels. DUH. Well The Glade Rebels will be crossing over The Rock House Mountain to encounter The Cliff Rebels this Friday Nite. Something will have to give this Friday Nite because both Brigades are 2 - 0. The Cliff Rebels have a new General this year and he will try several flanking moves to try to achieve a victory. However, The Glade Rebels are a veteran bunch of fighters with a veteran General. They will stop The Cliff Rebel's flanking moves and launch a counterattack that will pin The Cliff Rebels against their Cliff and force an unconditional surrender. Lil Leonard's Loser: The Cliff Rebels J. I. Burton at Lee Two weeks ago a bunch of Generals crept up the Powell Valley to hunt some Bears. They found a bunch of hungry Bears and ran back down the valley with these Bears clawing their behinds. Now The Black Raiders have been chased by a pack of hungry Wolves. Fought a losing battle against Indians. The Black Raiders will try to launch a surprise raid on the Lee Generals Headquarters this Friday Nite. Look for this toughen Black Raiders to have a successful raid on the Generals' Headquarters. They'll be riding home with a victory. Lil Leonard's Loser: Lee High

You've only posted 9 times and you come out with this! No Mance should coach at Richlands until HE feels its time to hang it up. We've all been spoiled by the last 10 years or so of winning, and many feel that if a Mance coached team doesn't win every game he should hang it up. Back in my time at Richlands, (many, many, moons ago) we felt good if we won 3 or 4 games a year, and many times we gauged our teams not by wins, but by how well we played Gate City or Bluefield. I remember getting beat by both teams by several points and saying we had a good game. We Richlands fans have focused so mush on win, win, win, and have sometimes forgotten that a winning season is so much sweeter after a loosing season. I for one don't enjoy loosing, but I've noticed over the years that SWVA talent comes and goes in cycles, and Richlands talent is on the down side of that cycle, not the fault of coaching, or the effort of the players, just the same old usual talent cycle. As Arron Rodgers told the Packers fans a few years ago, "Stay Calm". Mance is still the best coach for the Blues and will be until he decides to walk away, and then we can be in the stands wishing we had him back, and remembering how good a coach he was.

Honestly WHO CARES if Isaiah pushed somebody or if the coach told this one or that one to foul him or her or it.... none of those kids are playing in this game tomorrow night. If you want to argue about basketball go somewhere else and do it. This is a thread about the game. I hate getting on here and seeing people bring up junk that has NOTHING TO DO with the current players and the current game. Got a prediction? Got insight on the offense or defense or strategy? Let's hear it. Otherwise hash out the things that don't matter on Topix or some other low budget rednecked toilet water site. We come on here because we are interested in SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA FOOTBALL.

I’ve got 199 reasons Mance can stay as long as he wants.

jonah58 is spot on. The starting QB and several of Central's starters were out on the field Friday night talking it up and being friendly with our starting QB and Adkins. I think we as fans... and parents may take the stuff too far. But the kids seem to be cool with one another.

Bluefield (21) 236 Graham 190 Abingdon (2) 177 Pulaski County (1) 177 Ridgeview 146 Radford 122 Union 107 Galax 59 Chilhowie 43 Patrick Henry 31 Also receiving votes: Gate City (24), Tazewell (10), Narrows (7), George Wythe (3), Richlands (2)

This ^^ And this ^^.......enough said ! We, ( Richlands fans ) have been so spoiled over the last 20 or so years that most have forgotten or too young to remember what the 70's and most of the 80's were like as a Blues fan, but I have a bad feeling that when coach Mance does decide to move on or retire, everyone will remember VERY quickly !

Safe travels to the Giles fans coming to Bluefield. Hoping for a great and injury free game!

A meaningless game in which Pulaski’s quarterback did not play

For all the praise on Union's three yards and cloud of dust offense, it's produced zero state titles while Graham, running a more wide open offense, has the hardware. That's not a knock on Union at all. Unions problems happen if they fall behind, it's tough to make up multiple scores if you lack the ability to put up points quick. 12-play, ten minute scoring drives are fantastic if you're winning or tied, but if you're down 21-7 in the second half, those drives hurt you. Union was a better team than Appomattox in 2017, but they fell behind early and ran out of time coming back. If you can run the ball consistently, great. But you have to be able to attack a defense in multiple ways unless you're so much more talented than the opposition.

You all will see about “high power” transfer when they are able to move Devin back to slot and have Jamir throwing darts. I guess sometimes moving Devin back to QB in certain situations. Jamir is an excellent quarterback and this will do wonders for their TEAM and to me that makes him a “high power” addition for Graham. I didn’t necessarily mean individually “high power”. I am talking team dynamics and possibilities that he can bring to the offense. I also agree and don’t like the transferring mid season and being eligible immediately. I guess it is what it is... Good luck to him and the team going forward.

I married (and since divorced) a Whitesburg woman and never did get to eat there. As for the game, Da Bears beat down my daughter's future high school by as many as they want. Polier after the game gives a Stone Cold Stunner to a KHSAA official for trying to be crooked like nWo ref Nick Patrick.

This game won't get out of hand or ugly. I have watched this team for years and they don't do that stuff. None of those coaches or players or families that were involved in that mess are on this team. You are just trying to stir things up and set the stage.

You obviously can't read.

So, let's set the record straight here for a minute because I'm not sure how much of this was known by the folks in the greater Galax metropolitan area. Ken Heath, the director of economic development for Marion, wrote Bill Carrico, State senator, asking for his assistance with bringing the game back to Chilhowier instead of Emory, not because of CHS's lack of desire to play on turf, but rather the town and county's objection to losing the added tourism and business revenue from having several thousand extra people in Chilhowie that day, which coincidentally fell on the same day as Chilhowie's Christmas parade. The concession became moving the game to Northwood, where hopefully any visitors would know that Chilhowie is your last chance to get food or gas because it would be impossible to get in Saltville, and all the revenue would stay in Smyth County. So, the game being moved was 100% political, which is ironic if you've been following local politics this year and know the two parties involved.

Heard he’s playing!

Ryan, I didn't see the game and admit that. I did listen to it. I still believe it goes back to a thread preseason where I critiqued Richlands offensive culture. I watched it with Appo and I watched it with T. Ashby and Poqouson. It's critical to have some kind of a run culture. I've seen it with Texas Tech and Oregon over the years. What I'm getting at is this......if you don't have a run oriented or at least an offense that can run it when it wants, the tell-tale signs occur in the red zone where the defensive backs do not have to cover as much field, and it makes it a bit easier to play pass defense, and often teams that aren't at least a little bit run oriented often end up settling for field goals. I know penalties and several other things can also cause issues inside the 20, but I've said this before and will say it again. Run the ball Richlands. That 92 Richlands team was one of the absolutely LEAST athletic teams I've seen at Richlands. Some of the GC title teams weren't overly athletic when talking about their last two, but from tackle to tackle, they were vicious. Richlands needs a culture shift on offense. They have had the bigs and some strong dudes up front for years, and they got s kid now that should be getting 20-25 carries per game and is electric, yet they want to send him on a 15 and out route on first down which kills the drive. Only my take.

Thats where you're wrong, and Union just proved it. Lets say were trying to run in the A gaps, in the spread you're running Inside Zone against 4 guys (typically 2 DTs and 2 LBs) at the high school level, in the T you're running FB Dive against the same 4 guys. Plus your math is wrong; 5 OL + 2 TEs + 2 backs + 1 QB = 10 but the defense has to respect the pass and theyre not gonna put more than 9 in the box, if they go 10 then play action is there all day. I get the concept of relying on fewer blocks to gain yards but what you lose is deception, its hard to be sure who has the ball when Union is running Dive/Belly all night, and unsure linebackers play flat footed and slow. Spread offense may be fun to watch but you know whats not fun to watch? An offense that only scores 3 points. Plus dont forget 2 TE, 2 Back, shotgun ...

Yes, it is enough to affect the outcome. Following the ball in a one-wing offense is a difficult thing to do and Giles "hides" it better than anyone. The only thing to do is tackle everyone before they get out of the backfield.

J.I. Burton 14 Lee High 7 -8:27 2nd qt. Laster TD run for Lee.

Mike jones with a 12 yd run after fumble recovery and personal foul. Xp no good Taz 16 MV 6 10:10 2nd

Wimmer with 31 yd field goal Taz 10 MV 6 11:05 2nd

Tazewell 7 Mt View 6 End 1st

14-3 Graham 10:32 left in 2nd Qt

G-Men answer back in 4 plays. Giles 3 Graham 7 1Q- 2:49

LMAO the obscure Nick Patrick reference-EPIC!!! Don't forget that crooked mofo Earl Hebner:)

Depending on how Abingdon looks, I'd argue only one and Ridgeview/Radford is probably a good game. Graham, who everyone says may be better this season, smacked Radford last year, Bluefield is obviously better, Pulaski is a powerhouse, and Abingdon/RV would be a good match up with Radford I believe. Sixth isn't absurd

3 out of 4 are Scott Co teams, so isn't it NETN vs Scott Co in reality. lol

Sort of obvious Central is doing some things right. Not sure that they are able to beat Ridgeview right now but it wouldn't shock me if they give them a battle. Central will be ready for it, and the problem with Ridgeview so far has been playing a full game. If Central can stay in it and put the pressure on Ridgeview, it could be interesting.

No one but South fans would pick South over Abingdon this year. I will take Gate City by 2 TDs.

Only 1 played on offence and so far his replacement looks as good as any other starter RV went into the season with ALOT of depth on the line. I think that tonight's gameplan for central is to not give up the 20+ yard TD runs and make RV put together a 10 to 15 play drive to score. On the other side of the ball RV will try to set the edges and make Central move the ball between the tackles

Pioneers 34-Golden Wave 20

You are probably not the only one that thinks that but I'd say you are one of the few from Richlands that does. Now as an opposing fan if he wants to hang it up that's fine by me! Lol. In all honesty for the kids in this part of the state he has done well to get them attention that may not have happened. A coach like Mance doesn't come around very often so hoping he hangs it up isn't in the best interest for Richlands or the surrounding schools. That's just my opinion. Take it for what its worth.

No one knows this team like Mance so im sure he does what he does for a good reason. We're all here just giving our opinions which i think is great to have a place to do that. I would just like to see Mance adapt. I just dont think he has the personnel to run a true spread. I mean how many practices would it take to throw in some plays with a couple different formations? Without the speed they need to be playing the short game. Slants, middle screens, delayed routes from the TE. Then every once in a while throw in a stop and go. Try the pistol formation with 2 RBs and a TE that way it gives the RB more space to hit the hole harder and you can still stay in shotgun. But with Medley and Whited i believe i would always have a TE in the middle of the field. Maybe even 2. Double them up on one side. Imagine the mismatches with their height. And why no play action? Mance in all the years ive been watching, i might see 2 play action passes all year. This would open huge holes for slants and the TE in my opinion. I get it Mance lives and dies by the spread. But when youve only scored 1 offensive TD in 2 games its not working. Like someone said, spread is great if you have the playmakers. With lack of speed you have to have some misdirection. Cant really do that with one back. Its too easy for the defense to see who has the ball unless youre a downhill runner then it doesnt really matter if you hit the hole hard. I know ill probably piss someone off with this by coming off like a know it all but honestly just giving my opinion cuz i really know nothing. Just throwing my thoughts out there on what i would like to see. I would never make it as a coach so why not give couch coaching a try hahaha. Whatever happens im still pulling for Mance and company. But at least maybe some play action? 😕

No hate of your opinion or the truth or any of that. I'm just commenting on you peacockin on a message board out of nowhere. But I expect this from a Bungals fan. Your taste in football never has been great my friend. Just pushing buttons man. I have no doubt you will remind me. Just keep all your green and gold in your closet clean in case ya need it. Or get from your brother. Sure he's still got plenty.

The majority of games Richlands lost in state playoffs were due to offensive miscues. The defense has always been stronger in my opinion than offense. Hopefully, Mance can find the magic formula to get offense clicking this year. Everyone is rooting for Mance to get that 200th win but it's going to be a long season if they're depending solely on field goals to win.

Hoping not to appear critical, only sharing my preference, I echo the quote above. At the risk of hijacking the thread, to wax poetic, I like the simplicity or nostalgia of the game at it's roots and prefer the multiple running back formations. The 2010 game was on the same date as Richlands vs Poquoson, but the 2003 Gate City team I witnessed in the semifinals and finals were brutes. Kilgore was a beast at Tailback, but you couldn't sleep on Spivey to Seaver. They simply ran over an Essex team in the finals.

And that's what you have to do. It's easy to coach from the stands. We don't always know what's gone on at practice all week or where a kid's head is at game time. We do need to trust that the coaching staff is doing the best job they can with the kids they have. Well, until they go 1-9 back to back. Then, we chase them out of town with torches and pitch forks! Lol

Ah, okay. I misjudged it then. Apologies!

Not at all, my comment was in response to "It is a lot easier to to run the football against a 5 or 6 man box that is just a fact. ". Thats not a fact. My statement about Union was just to give an example of how running the ball can easily be done with any offense, even one on the opposite end of the spectrum from Richlands.

The haterade is strong with this one appearently. It isn't even Narrows Giles week yet and he done got riled up. And from triggered by an Ol Timer from Bland at that. This could an entertaining next few days. Yew!

Really hate to get into the fray, but why not, opinions are what they are, and I (along with everyone) have one, sometimes good, sometimes not so good. The spread is the best offense if you have the personal to run it, if not the "T" or "Wing T", the "Pro Set" or any other running formation will work better, (if you have the personal). Richlands has a mixture of personal, different than from past teams. One of the problems with Richlands running the spread this year is lack of speed, and receivers not getting open. I think the QB is a good athlete, but not a good enough passer for the spread. Now as far as the run game, if Richlands chooses to go that way, they have a couple of good backs to go along with the QB as a runner, but when there is no threat to pass, and no misdirection in the backfield, the defense can stack the box all night long, and to be honest, Richlands has an experience line at running the spread and pass blocking, but no so good at run blocking. To be a great run blocking team, we all know that you have to control the line backers, and most linemen who are tried and true pass blockers, are not experienced at controlling line backers. Back in the day (way back) when I played as a lineman, we were taught to move the defensive lineman, go take out the line backer. Not sure Richlands pass blocking line has experience doing this, so with the personal they are between a spread offense and a run offense. I think as the year goes along, they will improve at both, but in my opinion this is were they are now. Does this mean we quit being fans? NO! we get behind them through this rough period and let them know we are there. We all know that Richlands will make the playoffs and be a dangerous team by going through this, after all this is "The Blues" and Mance we're talking about!! GO BIG BLUE" I want to take a minute and thank all of you guys for having this board, and all those who post here, it makes football season even better.

Amen Brother.

They had 46 last year which is usually the norm, so the numbers weren't low. Any school that goes 1-9 for 2 straight seasons will see a drop off in participation. This is the smallest number of kids I've seen GC have in 47 years of watching them, but after it's all over they may have the biggest heart of any team I've watched. They're not back yet, but I feel the foundation is being put down.

You should maybe reserve your opinions until you know the facts! Those kids were coached to do that. I know this first hand. TJ is the david koresh of wise county. Don't be blinded by the light. Those kids were told to do that. Yes, the kid did transfer to Union. So did his little brother. But in no way did he do it on his own. He also apologized to Mac for it after the game the next time they played. Dont forget that little tj commited the hard foul that same play on him. Funny how he is never brought up, just the kid that put him into the wall.

You may be surprised who has been rubbed the wrong way by this transfer. Hopefully it will all work out in the end without too many getting upset.

If Giles can control the ball this game may be closer than expected. I don’t see the G MAN having to punt but if they only get 5 possessions then 35-14 is a respectable score I think. That single wing is a pain in the butt they will break a few off on Graham

GC by 50 and Busch light is sold out in Scott county for the first time since Joe Vaughn was running the ball for the Blue Devils

Amen. Even if you don't compete a ton of passes, just the threat of the pass opens up a defense and makes them keep a safety out of the box. I understand the QB is young and doesn't have a lot of reps, but the only way he's gonna improve is by having to make plays in a game against a live defense. With how brutal the rest of the schedule is after next week, I personally would have tried to get him some more work in first two weeks. Two attempts Friday and one was a screen. People see the score and the fact Union ran the ball 50 times and believe Union ran it up and down the field. Bears had one sustained long TD drive. The other three scores came off of turnovers and long returns. There is talent on the outside, if you can't attempt to utilize it, it's a waste. I never expect Union to throw it 40 times a game, but if you get behind against better teams, you have to be able to move the ball down the field quick. Union lacks the track speed they've had in the past so you've gotta create big plays somewhere. It's gonna be really tough to have four or five 10-12 play scoring drives against good teams. With Graham, Paintsville, GC, Wise, Ridgeview left, there's no automatic wins except Battle and maybe LCC. The rest will be dogfights.

Don't know much about chilhowie Don't care anything about Narz But do find it funny that now narz has started winning games(against nobodies for the curious) the coaching staff now understands the players they have and aren't clueless like so many wave fans said in year's past....not meaning you swva not but narz fans in general