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.......... flew the coop apparently

Had administration at Auburn been proactive, they could have (and should have) prevented this whole scenario. They knew the struggles the school faced in fielding a football team from previous seasons. They knew the roster was 70+% freshmen and sophomores. They should have gotten with their scheduled opponents prior to the season and played an entirely JV schedule. Those schools on Auburn schedule would then have had time to schedule other varsity competition much like Grundy and George Wythe did when Bland bailed on their season. The problem here is waiting until mid-October to do what should have been done in mid-July. Playing an entirely JV schedule would have benefited Auburn in several different facets. They could build a little confidence among the players, wouldn't have resulted in as many injuries, and gotten some momentum in building the program back to a varsity level over the course of a season or two as opposed to all at once. I blame Auburn administration, AD and head coach.

The kicker is that Auburn bailing and not being forced to forfeit affects teams like Graham who have been top of PP all season only to be outpointed because of rider points that would have come from GW & Galax beating them. There needs to be consequences for this not necessarily punishment. It’s setting a bad precedent and other teams reap negative consequences when they shouldn’t because of these schools. Just my opinion…makes me a huge Bluefield fan this Friday!

FC will either win by 7 or lose by 30. To be determined.

If you cut playoff teams, gotta do the plus-1 games. Those were great.

Very true! Either could get beat from now & at anytime in the playoffs. We’ve had lots of upsets in SWVA so nothing is a given. One game at a time & play your best football each game or you might get canned.

Even if Ridgeview is the 1 seed Graham or Ridgeview may lose before playing anyways but I don't see anyone beating either before they play

I know nothing about west stokes but I hope Galax beats the breaks off them

Exactly what I've been saying, but I can't put it into words as well as you do. The AD's need to be more proactive, cautious, and really think about things BEFORE the season. My knock hasn't been as much about canceled seasons as it has been about poor decisions Before the season (the decision to have a season.)

If it’s a forfeit, rider points will be given. If it’s listed as a cancel, no rider points is my understanding. At the end of the day, teams will have to play every game like it’s the championship regardless of the location. At this point, it stinks for teams like Graham but it is what it is.

You want to put a stop to it, put a monetary clause for forfeitures into a signed contract. If you lose a home game, forfeiture fee - $4000. Lose an away game, forfeiture fee - $2000. If you can find a replacement game for a forfeit, you would still receive a forfeiture fee of $1000. This Friday, Giles receives $2000, 11-4 George Wythe receives $4000. If forfeiture fees are not paid (District & Non-District), then none of that school’s teams can compete in winter and spring district competitions thus eliminating them from Regional and State competition. Harsh, NO, means that ADs and Coaches are going to have to work harder to field a team, especially in the offseason.

WEEKLY RECAP- Big upset in 1A, How to beat Grundy. PEAK PERFORMER OF THE WEEK - (Honaker High School) BELLACINO'S PLAYER OF THE WEEK (Hurley High School) WHO SAID IT? (Be the first to answer on our Facebook page and be entered to win a Free Pizza) TOP 5 - Did PH remain on on top? New Entries into the ATW Top 5 PIGSKIN PROGNOSTICATIONS - Tester has a miserable pick em week, Crigger hanging on to a one win edge over Moore. WATCH ON YOUTUBE OR WATCH ON RUMBLE

Grayson will have their turf field installed by spring. Construction is set to begin as soon as this season ends. They are definitely putting resources into the football program. We will see where it takes them. This season is something of an anomaly for Grayson in my mind. They had no less than 5 players transfer into the program after being homeschooled since birth. Those are just the ones I know of. I have heard rumors, there could be as many as 8. The players I know of have all been extremely productive. The question is, can Grayson sustain this level of success when those outlets to bring players into the program dry up? Take those players away from the current roster, Grayson loses about 90% of its offensive production.

I think Auburn needs to do like several other schools have done throughout the state and thats play an independent schedule. I know that means they dont qualify for playoffs, but at this point does it really matter. Create a schedule that has 10 competitive football games on it, build up some confidence in the kids and program, and if in several years things are improving join back in the MED. Yes, playing the JV schedule to finish out the year seems great but will that really change their attitude next year when it comes time to play Galax, George Wythe, Grayson, Giles, etc? They had double digit upper classman on the team at the start of the season and now are down to a couple. Now that its happened 2 years in a row.....its becoming the norm.

problem I see with rule #2 is, you might as well tell a sophomore or junior thinking about playing football next year, don't bother. Can't see how that can help out a struggling program.

This is just more examples of the thought of 7 or 8 man football needing to become a thing. And while I understand the point behind a 23 man cut off rule, there's still been schools that's played, and won, with under 20. Narrows won the MED with 18 when Grayson was the largest A school in the state in the late 90s. However, I'll secede the point, that is usually the exception to the rule.

You are correct. Giles JV will basically be playing their Varsity which consist of mainly underclassmen so I think it’s still a fair match up.

Glenvar upsets Radford, but close game.

I think that Glenvar needs to control the clock and capitalize on it's offensive possessions. If they can do that and come up with 2 or 3 stops, they have a chance. Radford's QB is dynamic and they have a lot of speed. If the ball gets in Baylor's hands, he is capable of scoring every time he touches it. I'm pulling for Glenvar, but it will be very difficult for them to overcome Radford's speed on offense.

Definitely a big coaching advantage for Glenvar. Radford was up 14 with 7 mins left last week and running effectively. Game over if they work clock but instead keep throwing , stop clock and give Floyd a chance. If game is close late, Im taking Glenvar.

When Radford and Glenvar play you have to throw the records out the window because anything could happen. I watched this game last year and was certain that Radford had it won. Even started walking to the gate then Glenvar scored with no time left. Glenvar matched up well with an athletic, speedy Martinsville team. They have a solid coaching staff that will have them ready. I’m picking Radford to win it but wouldn’t be shocked if Glenvar pulls it out.

Many years ago I used to umpire so I have some experience in softball and baseball. Here is my take of refs....Almost all of them are trying to do a good job. It is much harder to ref football today than it was back in the day. More rules, More open offenses, etc. The main problem that I see is game management. Marking the ball correctly. Especially on out of bounds punts. The white hats need to do better. Marking penalties. I can't tell you how many times I have seen 5 yd penalties turn into 4 yard or 6 yard penalties. No one seems to want to take the time to measure for a first down. Play clock management. Some refs wait wait too long some way too short. Game control. When things get chippy stop the game and warn both sides and then follow up on your warnings.