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A lot has been said on my statement about the Radford game, and I agree that every game counts for the players and the coaches and fans. The point is that it doesn't change the outcome of the playoff picture. I agree that it sucks, but the truth is everyone was told that the first Graham and Richlands game would not count in the playoff picture. Someone quoted Tony Dungy in saying, "you play every game to win", and I agree, but he also stated, "it's very hard to beat the same team twice in one season". Had Graham played an improved Richlands again, would the outcome be different?, we'll never know, but to change the rules at the end of the season is truly wrong, but yet in line with this whole year. As a true blue Richlands fan, I would love to have seen the G-men vs Blues game, but it's not meant to be, so we all need to move on. It's not fair, but life itself is not fair all the time. I've pulled for Graham in their state games, I've pulled for Tazewell in their state games, and I will pull for the SWD in all playoff games. Hard pill to swallow sometimes, but SWD fans adapt, overcome, and move on by cheering for each other. Like family, we can beat on our brothers, but anyone else best not lay a hand on them. The fact is, I think both Graham and Tazewell deserve to be in the playoffs, and you bet your britches, I am a True Blue fan, but I will cheer for the G-men and the Bulldogs, and hope that one of them bring the hardware back to the SWD.

I have been on this site for many years, I don't post as much as I use too because of health issues I have, but still follow as much as possible. I played for and love my blues but nobody speaks for all Richlands fans and I know Ryan wasn't trying to speak for all of us. I usually agree with most of what Ryan and other Richlands fans post here...............but not always, like any fan base we all have our own opinions. While I do agree with Ryan on the point of changing the rules late in the season, I do think we had our chance to get in either way by beating Tazewell at Ernie, but we didn't and now we have to live with that. I do hate it for our players and staff. I think Coach Well's and his staff have done a fantastic job of getting the team better through out the season and especially under all of these extremely difficult times. Trying to install his system in such a difficult year had to be tough, but he got the blues better every game and I think the blues future under coach Well's and his staff looks bright. It really sucks for everyone under these trying times, but this year is like no other and I think every one is trying to do the best they can under the circumstances. I do wish the blues could have went on to the playoffs, but that doesn't look like it's going to happen, but I do hope and pray that anyone that tested positive for Graham has the quickest & full recovery and wish the best for Tazewell and Graham ( if they are able ) in the playoffs ! JMHO

I will say this. I have been front and center at 3 of Grahams State title games, 1 of Richlands State title games and Tazewells State title game. Most people in our area do the same and support the local teams. We have the best kids in the state right here in this area and I can say that for sure. If Graham gets quarantined and Richlands makes it and advances over Tazewell. I'll be in line to watch the Blue Tornado. I love watching the kids. It's the overbearing adults that mess things up.

Ryan, man, I get that you're emotional about this, understandably so, but to insinuate that there is some sort of conspiracy to keep Richlands out of of playoffs is absurd. Who are "the SWD?" The ADs? The principals? I know that it feels like Richlands is outnumbered against Tazewell and Graham, but there are three other schools in the district that may not have had a realistic chance at a district title, but they did have a say in these decisions. I highly doubt Lebanon, VA High, and Marion conspired with Graham and Tazewell to keep Richlands out of playoffs. I was all for giving Tazewell crap for not "acting like they'd been there," but I'd expect better from Richlands, who for the first time in 30 years hasn't been the class of the SWD and is drowning in a thimble over it.

Great sportsmanship there, pal.

Appo would lose by three touchdowns. They should be favored over any Tazewell team but beating combined team is crazy. There is no team in 2A that could handle a mix of Graham and Tazewell’s lines. Not to mention you would have Webb, Bradshaw, and Jordan at wideout. Put down the pipe man, it’s to early to smoke the devils lettuce and make crazy posts.

Richlands has lost a SWD game. Graham has not. Pretty simple if you lay it out like that. Richlands had their game v. Tazwell, they lost. Had they won, they'd be in. Richlands already played Graham and lost. Had Richlands won or even lost in a nailbiter, I could see more outrage. But you guys lost to both Graham and Tazwell. I don't see how anyone can be upset that they're going to the playoffs over a team that is 0-2 against the teams going. It sucks and it's not a completely fair system, but with everything going on, there was no choice. Ridgeview has a much more legit gripe, they hadn't already lost to Union and would be favored had the teams met, but they're stuck at home too.

This is a great idea-I bet they pull out all the stops...someone may even do something crazy like go for it on 4th and long deep in their own territory

I actually did a little research today. Richlands’s streak of 20 consecutive playoff appearances will be snapped this year. That’s a record in SWVA. Powell Valley had 19 immediately prior to consolidation. Not even Giles or Gate City or Appalachia can claim that. It’s regrettable for it to end in a truncated season with just 4 playoff spots. Y’all know what Tazewell’s playoff streak record is? 3. It speaks awfully little of people who would wish ill will on a school like Tazewell. This is their best team in an extremely long time.

Did Graham get Covid on purpose? Of course not. And I hope those kids recover quickly. Did this &@$! Richlands out of even having a chance? Absolutely. The SWD got what they wanted. Moved the goalposts all season. Hope they can sleep better tonight. If I was in charge of Richlands athletics, I’d be leaving the district at the first possible moment.

And in the most embarrassing thing that's happened to me this week, in a battle between two teams wearing red and white, I forgot who was the home team 🤣 That power-I certainly makes sense now. Lebanon scores but fails to convert the PAT. Marion leads 7-6 early in the 2nd.

It’s a distinction without a difference, as it normally is in these frequent happenings. The playoff spots aren’t “awarded” until next Tuesday. However, the Districts have their representatives selected. Absent a COVID outbreak, it will be Union @ Graham and Tazewell @ Central. Should there be an outbreak before next Tuesday, the Districts can adjust their playoff representatives. It would be like saying that a 15-0 NFL team hasn’t been awarded it’s playoff spot prior to its Week 17 game. Well, that’s true, but that’s about a pedantic a correct technicality as I can conjure up.

I don't know the specific details as to why the Bears are playing Eastside since Union has wrapped up their playoff birth and doesn't need the help, and playing this game against Eastside could be seen as a gamble when considering injury risk and Covid risk for the Bears. But, pretty classy move by Coach Turner in my opinion. The kids want to play football. They are simply........... football players, and it's in the blood from the days of Appy and P. Valley. Coach Turner is simply letting his kids play football, and to he** with the risk. Sometimes, it just comes down to doing what you love to do, and that is......coach football and let the kids play football. Classy move on behalf of the Bears Head Coach and staff.

I apologize, to the Graham G Men and Tazewell Bulldogs players and fans,on my previous posts. I am wishing them well, in the play offs. We have too much division, in our country, thanks to our leaders, in Washington and Richmond. Also, region D were not transparent, in their rules, from day one, and changing rules, at the end of season, is wrong. Richlands players and staff did not deserve, the final decision. I did not attend RHS, moved from another state, to work in Tazewell County. I have friends in Bluefield, Tazewell and Richlands. Go GMen, Bulldogs and Blue Tornado !!! Have a bless day !!

This has become comical...you lost to graham and tazewell...tough break...get over it

If Duke can miss the NCAA tournament then Richlands can definitely miss out on the playoffs for a year LOL

Bottom line is Richlands lost to Graham and Tazewell you guys had your chance to win enough to get in and came up short and it’s over with and time to move on

I have been thinking this morning this Union/Eastside game could be very interesting to see how it plays out. Union has nothing to gain so could play their 2nd and 3rd string a lot, while it could be the push Eastside needs to jump into the 4 spot.

IF the rules were changed AFTER the official rules were established AND during the last of the regular season, THEN it is inappropriate. I understand that all of the schools had a representative involved, but ANY team could easily be in the same position that the Richlands STUDENTS were suddenly thrown into during the final week of regular season. Remember the students???? The ones this situation hurts the most??? Set an example, people, and stand up for the kids. If they go out in an early round, then so be it, but why take their round away?

Why did you quote my post about that play call? Has nothing to do with your overall point. top two from each district makes sense with this season. I don't see how anyone is upset over that. SWD takes their best two (Graham and Tazwell, as both teams beat Richlands) and the M7 takes their top 2 in 2A (Central and winner of Union/RV, but since RV couldn't play it's Union) and they play each other. Having three teams from one district in this season of unequal schedules and cancellations is nuts. Everyone agrees it's a shitty situation for Richlands to lose their last game. It's unfortunate they don't get another crack at Graham. But they lost by three TDs to them at home. It wasn't some last second win by Graham. They were, most likely, going to lose again. I don't see it as this huge travesty, I think most agree. It sucks for Richlands but it's not as if they had no choice in this. Beat Tazwell, you're in.

He should probably get that looked at, could be a blood disorder.

I highly doubt he speaks for all of Richlands. Graham coaches thought all along points counted for first game and 2nd game would count as official SWD game as far as district standings. Then it changed and changed again. It’s a crazy season, period. It’s not the kind of season any of us would prefer. Life isn’t always fair but I believe the fairest way to determine spots was used. I guarantee Graham would rather be playing this Friday than not. With all of that said, I always support GMen first. I also support and cheer on our other schools. I was just as thrilled for the Herndon boy winning state as I was for Fritz. I was ecstatic when Richlands girls finally won state softball title. Poor sportsmanship and disrespect speak volumes about character. Best of luck to all of our Region D teams. May one of them bring home that ring! Go GMen!

Agree...lost to both....end of discussion

Rocky couldn’t beat Clubber without Apollo.

Good News!!! So we can all quit this arguing and move on to more important things (I suggest the Middle East peace crisis)I have devised the perfect way to settle this. Since Graham is the only undefeated team they should get a spot. The final spot should be decided on the field! I propose Tazewell vs Richlands at Ernie Hicks stadium on 3/13/21. Winner takes all.

No, everyone is saying it does count...but it’s not enough to overtake Tazewell. And it shouldn’t be-you lost head to head.

They wouldn't have time. The playoff teams must be set by a certain day and from what I understand, there's little to no chance they could make up the game before the deadline. The cold hard truth is, Richlands had their chance in week one. This sucks for them and the situation sucks and it's not fair, but if they beat Graham in week one, they're in and Graham is at home.

No offense to anybody, but who goes into a game with the mindset that it doesn't count? Every game counts, Thats exactly how Graham approached the first game. Again, I understand some of the frustration, but you have to win the games put in front of you and make no excuses when you lose, like "it doesn't count". I say Graham was the bettee team that day Richlands made a lot of improvement throughout the season and I think another matchup would have been one heck of a game. Covid is to blame for this. Covid caused people to change things. One or 2 schools is not responsible for how an entire district voted.

...Or Yugoslavia to Nickelsville

Is now 4-1 and looks to be in the playoffs at Fort Chiswell. GC is currently 0-5. Good for him after all the mess he took at GC. Maybe he was a better coach than people thought.

Twin Valley @ Hurley Rural Retreat @ Rye Cove (HC) Northwood @ Patrick Henry - 7:30 (HC)

God shut up you dork. Everyone clearly understood what I was saying. No one awards playoff spots anyway, you play your way in or out.I from the consensus understanding, my posts were correct. You're just being pedantic and ridiculous for some unknown reason. You feel better now that you've got to pretend you're so much smarter and more aware than someone else?

I hate that for Bland. They only looked to have about 15 to start with from a bit I caught on NFHS. I think their middle school team had a winning season. Maybe things will look up for them if they can get enough to sustain the team until those boys get up to varsity.

Are you SURE about that?

But it's not the same situation, at all. Not a fair accounting of the situation.

Looks like Lee @ Lebanon next Thur,

Appo is not the team they have been in the past. We have strong athletes in positions but are weaker in certain areas at the same time. Also, a lack of real competition this year is definitely a strike against them. There are also some "ME's" on the team that need to be reigned in. This years team. No doubt Now I'd line up the 2016 Raiders against most any high school team. Would they win???? But that team HATED the concept of possibly losing more than they loved to win.

I think the issue that can be argued by both sides is this, Ridgeview , is on the loosing end of having to miss games due to covid. It propels union into the playoffs . Graham and tazewell both loose nothing for having the same thing occur. The truth is , the first richlands /graham game 100 percent was a real game it counts . But both sides know that it wasn't a district game, as Neither team would have scheduled the other one for the 1 non-district opponent if otherwise. The argument that RHS has is a simple one. They have enough points to be the 4 seed in a region in which usually 8 teams make the playoffs. And no matter what, they had a fighting chance to knock off graham on Friday . Go back and watch the first game. Pretty good ball game. Winning Friday would have caused a 3 way tie, plain and simple. No team wanted to loose that opportunity no matter what the reason. That is football at its finest. A chance to go to playoffs and a chance at first place was taken from them. And it does help both tazewell and graham , and that's ok . Its not their fault . But to pile on and say that richlands should have won the first game with graham , etc. isn't right . Graham lost to union 2 years ago and then thumped them in the playoffs . they lost to union , but then did what they had to do to get into the playoffs. Richlands played the schedule given to them and were 1 win from a 3 way tie . They dont get that opportunity . Its ok to be upset. Its more than ok for Ridgeview to be upset. Some of the comments are ridiculous . Such as the one about RHS hasn't beat anybody. Who the hell has tazewell beat then , if RHS sucks. ? They have played the same exact schedule , minus riverheads , which beat tazewell . It can be argued both ways. They are good ball teams . Fact is, in the past 3 weeks RHS-Tazewell , Tazewell-Graham were decided by 3 total points. That's good football . Period. Good luck to all the area teams no matter how it plays out. We are blessed with great talent in our area .

Although I don't disagree with you, in the Covid world everybody gets screwed one way or another. Just one test away from forfeiting a state championship by any team.

yes you all really got screwed because of a rules change, not because you lost to the two teams ahead of you. i will tell you who got screwed in all of this is us, ridgeview. Union gets in over us and we didnt lose to them. they get blown out in back to back weeks and get in over us. maybe they are better than us, but i doubt it.

My understanding is the regional reps said top 4 by power points, with the out of district games for the SWD and the Abingdon game for the M7 not counting. I assume they were thinking the outcome would be the #1 and #2 from each district would have the same points and thus the top 2 from each district would be represented(assuming the #1 went undefeated and the #2 only lost one game). They didn't take into account games not being played and the ensuing unequal ability to earn points (M7 played fewer games overall and thus was unable to earn as many as the SWD). Or maybe they originally thought "let's do it this way and re-evaluate before the season ends", idk.

I don’t speak for all Richlands fans. I never said I did. He did. I speak for myself.

THIS!!!! ALL OF THIS!!! I'm standing up for the students at RHS that worked their asses off, avoided Covid, worked to get better every week of the season -- only to have the rules changed the last week of the season. These are kids who are hurting. They read what y'all say about them. They know the entire region is against them 95% of the time. No one wants to see a team lose more than Richlands. There's a bullseyes painted on their chest and all they want to do is go play the games they had scheduled -- under the rules that were agreed upon before this stupid season began. As I said -- I'll continue to fight for those kids whose faces I actually know, and their families that are heartbroken and feel betrayed.

It sucks because Richlands is a better team than Union this year and I think they’d represent the region much better, they’ve improved across the board and it’s a shame they won’t have a shot to prove it, the region should not have went back on their word of the top four teams, plain and simple.

or you can look at this way, if graham plays appo they lose by 14 but richlands would lose by 28

Tazewell beat richlands earlier 21-19. So they have the head to head. It was played at Erie hicks.

I understand that, but you’d be a fool to go into a game thinking it doesn’t count when there are only six games in the season. It’s not rocket science. I mean if Thad went into that game thinking it didn’t count then y’all need a new coach💁🏻‍♂️

No they didn’t. Cause week 1 didn’t count. It’s based on power points from district games only — UNLESS there was a tie at the end, in which case the non-district games would count to break the tie. If week one counted — then the game with Radford Saturday would have to count. And everyone on here is saying it doesn’t count.

😂😂😂😂😂😂 Play better football and this wouldn’t have been an issue