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I know when my wife ( at the time ) and I decided to have our first child back in the early 80's that if we had a son ( had a beautiful girl ) that I would not push him to play football, and in fact, try to nudge him toward a more none contact sport ( if he decided to play sports ) because of what I have had to deal with, which has gotten worse as I get older. ( now 61 turn 62 in July ). But if he really wanted to play, then of course I would help him any way I could. I started playing football when I was 7 in Maryland and continued through high school at Richlands. I transferred here back in the mid 70's. My parents were from Richlands and moved to Aberdeen Md in 58 after they got married for work but would get homesick every time we came back to visit family, anyway I digress, I also played baseball and had a couple of small injuries, but most of my issues have come from the sport I absolutely love........football. I have had 3 knee surgeries, 1 ACL, 1 MCL and 1 to remove the meniscus from my right knee, I am now told that I will have to have a total knee replacement on my left knee. I recently had a total shoulder replacement done to my right shoulder ( done by Dr Hommel in Bristol - highly recommend him ) because of 2 shoulder separations and 1 dislocation on my right shoulder, and I suffer from migraines and vision issues that the Dr's at UVA say are more than likely from the concussions I "probably" had from football. I say probably because back in the days I played, ( and I am sure a lot of you old guys on here know about this } they were simply called "getting your bell rung " and you were very often told to "suck it up and get back in there" which is what I wanted to do. I don't blame my coaches because they did not have the info back then of course that they have now. Now let me say this, I still would not change my years of playing football ! I learned so much about life and how to push myself and made some fantastic friends because of football and still have a love for the sport, but I do understand why some parents do not want their kids playing and maybe nudge them in a different direction or to flag football. I also think that maybe flag football for the younger kids is a good idea. One of my knee injuries and I of my shoulder separations were during youth football. I just would not want my son ( if I had one) to have to deal with the pain and surgeries and other issues that I have to deal with, and will probably have to deal with for the rest of my life. But I guess each parent has to make that decision for them selves. But you know, saying all of that..........if I had do it over again, as I sit here and think about this, I think I would still want to play ! God I loved being on that field with my teammates ! Sorry about the long post just wanted to give my perspective.

& CMT Sporting Goods in Salem 😏

Say what you want, at least Virginia actually had championship games though.

Only in Liberal states and commonwealths.

I don't believe in superstars Organic food and foreign cars I don't believe the price of gold The certainty of growing old That right is right and left is wrong That north and south can't get along That east is east and west is west And being first is always best But I believe in Lee I believe in Coach Carroll too I believe in "five years and see" And I believe in you

Every Richlands Blue Tornado Head Football Coach is given a Gold Card to show to Richlands area business. Free Meals, Free Booze... Hell, I think you can even have a funeral for free with that card. That has to be well over 6 figures in worth.

You reference the crime rate in Loris, which has admittedly twice the crime rate of Richlands. Then you suggest he should have taken a job in MB or NMB, which both have double the crime rate of Loris. I’m not sure I follow this logic.

Not saying that Bluefield researcher's source is wrong (I mean, stranger things have certainly happened). But it would take some pretty complicated maneuvering on Mance's part to return to Virginia under any circumstances. But I firmly believe two things. First is that Tarter is an outstanding choice. Other is that his tenure will probably be relatively brief. Very similar to dynamic within the program in the early/mid 1990's. But hopefully a better outcome in the long run.

It always amazes me when people say “x is a great coach but is old school”. All that means is that x was once successful in a certain time and place, but is unable to adapt.

Summer conditioning started this week for most schools. August and scrimmages will be here before you know it. 7 on 7 s about to get started.

I spent the first five years of my life as a resident of Doran Bottom (corner of Kirby Road and what is now Mill Ave). I might have some influence with current owner. I mean, it's not waterfront. But still within reasonable walking distance if you cut through the old horse pasture.

School Systems have very little to marginal effect on education outcomes. Home environment does. Garbage in = Garbage out. Quality in = Quality out. If your school system has students from quality homes your school system is going to look great. If your school system has kids from homes that don't give a damn about education or students that are more concerned where there next meal is coming from or who their mother is sleeping with that night then your outcomes are going to be poor. A good teacher MIGHT make a difference in one child a year. Maybe. I was a teacher at one time. This is how I know.

IMO this all started several years ago when the Richlands feeder program had several teams. It's my understanding, (someone correct me if I'm wrong)the league management was made up of mostly coaches of teams themselves. Those coaches begin to have the attitude of win at all cost, and begin closing some of the programs down to enhance their team by moving players from the closed down programs to benefit their team. A group of concerned citizens in the Raven area even volunteered to finance the Raven program so it could remain open, and the league management closed it down anyway. The feeder program is now down to two teams, and there are a lot of parents with potential players who are still upset with that decision and will not play in the feeder program. The management has changed somewhat as I understand it, with those who made crucial decisions to close programs moving into assistant coaching positions at Richland high school and middle school, and the feeder program is now in a dismal state. Why have only two teams stacked with many players, (with many not getting to play), when you could have several teams with less players, but more would get to play? I voice my opinion, but many won't because of being ridiculed. I'm and old fart that just has an opinion and don't think twice about stating the truth, I have nothing to gain, and my only loose it seeing the Richlands program suffer as a fan. If I am wrong in my thinking, I will humbly apologize, but that's my opinion, and I believe we all have one. Always and forever a Blues Fan.

A Raven trailer has been transformed from meth lab to a laboratory in which to create an Ernie Hicks hologram.

East Team Peyton McComas-Grundy -Hunter Wachob, Ean Rhea, Caleb Walk-Patrick Henry -Reid Bowman ,-Hunter Smith of Narrows -Dalton White, Xzavier Ward , Noah Daniels, Conner Welch of Twin Valley - Will Stephenson Luke Pruit , Danny Cornett of Marion -Kolton Keatley of Galax-Gambino Silvero, Colby Crutchfield of Chilhowie-Nathan Turner of Rural Retreat -John Matt Justus of Hurley-Zack Puckett of Northwood -Preston Whitlock , Chaston Radcliff of Giles-Trevor Miller of Honaker -Jake Altizer, Bowen Tarter, Ethan Lester, Dalton Smith , Isaac Cole, Evan McNerlin, Granville Profitt of Richlands - Logan Waldon, Alex Widener of Holston -Camden Principe, Dallin Johnson, Dominic Norris of Va High Coaches-Austin Cooper -Hurley -Derrick Patterson -Holston -Chris Altizer ,Aaron Lowe, Jared Horn -Richlands West Team-Kaleb Mink of Burton-Noah Bolling of Central -Mason Harding of Rye Cove-Conner Gilmer of Twin Springs -Nick Raymond, Will Stansberry, Bryson Shepherd, Ahren Lee, Jessie Gibson, Tim Hill of Eastside -Jason Warf, Kenny Ball, Dakota Stables, Jason Crowden, Zack Lowe of Thomas Walker-Nick Phillips Hunter Neece, Lucas Deel, Colt Fletcher, Andre Edwards, Landon Knepp, Seth Collier , Peyton Couch, Jeremiah Allen, Brandon Beutler of Castlewood -Nick Napier Logan Grace, Zane Eisenmenger of Lee- Trent Ray, Gavin Hamilton, Daniel McCurdy, Caleb McGlothlin of Lebanon- Coaches -Mike. Rhodes and Tanner Hall of Eastside -Todd Tiller -Bubba Edwards of Ridgeview - Nick Johnson , Tracey Parker of TW-Jacob Caudill of Burton-Cheyenne Osborne of Rye Cove

In my opinion, an assistant coach can get by with a stern, old-school attitude nowadays, but a head coach cannot. A face of a program needs to be just as much a political type figure as a football guy.

That's really more of a Wednesday kind of thing in my place of work. But I digress...

I left Oklahoma drivin in a Pontiac, Just about to lose my mind, I was goin to Arizona maybe on to California, Where the people all live so fine, My baby said I's crazy, My momma called me lazy, I was goin to show em all this time, Cause you know I ain't no fool, An I don't need no more schoolin, I was born to just walk the line, Sorry, got sidetracked. What were we talking about?

My brother was (RIP) an old school guy. He also knew an asshole when he saw one. It's possible to be "old school" and not be an asshole too.

Ive got a bad knee, back injury (that has healed with time and daily stretching) and a bad shoulder(both are damaged but my left more so) from playing football. Also a few other injuries from weightlifting(one of which actually bothers me more than any other injury). As far as concussions, well I got my bell rung a few times, I'm no Doctor but those were without a doubt concussions. I didn't play football until 7th grade so I cant speak on the effects of little league. I think for the game of football it would be better to play only flag until they're 12 years old: too many bad habits are formed and too many players lost from sitting on the sidelines or being told "just block somebody". Better to play 7 on 7 flag and keep them interested in the game. I wouldn't trade my playing experience for anything. I wasn't the best player but what the game taught me and gave me, is still giving me, is irreplaceable and without a doubt made me the man I am today. Well worth the injuries and long term effects to me.

I played four years of Little League back in the day when the Richlands program had only 4-teams (Richlands Green Waves, Richlands Golden Eagles, Cedar Bluff Blue Devils, and Jewell Ridge Red Raiders) those were fun years full of many good memories, but I also played a lot of flag football later in life. I, like many others, feel that flag football at the younger age would be a good way to go. Back in our time, you couldn't play Little League until you were 8 yrs. old, and we really smacked the heck out of each other, but fortunately there were no bad injuries that I can recall, just good old fashion hard nosed football. Maybe we're just starting our youth league at to early an age, and when they start let them play flag for the first couple of years. Maybe hold off on tackling until they reach the age of 12 would be a good way to go, in my opinion.

Until Middle School , kids should be playing flag football. Number one, young kids don’t need to be wearing full gear & tackling, etc. Number two, too many little league coaches don’t teach proper technique then coaches in middle & high school have to try and correct it. That’s no easy feat sometimes. All this just my humble opinion.

At Holden Beach right now! In laws own a place on the island. Been coming here almost 25 years. Love it as a family destination. Close enough to get to Myrtle...without having to be at Myrtle!

that is why it is called Four Seasons Football

It is ALWAYS football season in my mind.

I know how this goes haha. I was blessed to have a great childhood despite a divorce when I was in kindergarten. I make sure every day to remember that time is precious and you can’t take money with you when you go. I don’t put us in bad situations — but we also like to take our trips and make those memories while we have time. Parenthood truly is the best thing that’s happened to me, and that goes for both my biological son and my stepson. They’re great.

I've been looking for VRBO near the confluence of Mudlick and the Clinch.

I don't think how much time he will coach means much....they were simply running out of time to hire a coach....he stepped up for their program IMO As I said I'll believe it when I see it

Look into Edisto Island. You won’t be disappointed!

I love visiting any place where wild ponies outnumber people, such as the Eastern Shore, Grayson Highlands...

It's been my experience, people tend to overlook the issues surrounding their favorite tourist destinations. Dirty Myrtle didn't get that moniker because of the sanitary conditions!

Hats off to Coach Tarter for stepping up and taking this position. He's a great guy and I'm sure the kids will play hard for him.

It's about to get saucy...

Big Stone has a pretty robust youth football league, runs until age 12 and then the kids start 7th and 8th grade and then JV. The youth league is in pads, 11 man football. You cannot have a successful, sustainable HS program without an excellent youth league with decent coaches who try and help the kids learn. Wins and losses at that age aren't as important as learning how to play safely and productively.

Somebody has spiked the water-cooler.

Those Williams boys they still mean a lot to me, Hank and Tennessee... and Hank Jr. and Don and Robin and Billy Dee and Doug and Pharrell...

There's playing up to get better and then there's laying down on the alter so your heart can get ripped out. 10/29 will be the latter for Castlewood

If it is, player interest will erode over time. Everybody wants their son to play for Bobby Knight until the son becomes the next Neil Reed! I don't know Saunders but have officiated games he was involved in while at Gretna. Based on that experience, he's not someone I would choose to get to know.

Never met Kevin, I've only heard things. Matt I coached with years ago and have seen when we've played Radford. Matt has always been a great guy who is very passionate about his football. You can be "old school" and be successful. I would even say that some of these kids now days need some "old school" in their lives.

having once saw a young athlete become paralyzed from lowering his head on a hit, it's scary as hell at times watching your kid during a collision. you always hope you're kids aren't on the receiving end of a big hit but at the same time like to see big hits when they get up and go back to the huddle ok. the number of bad injuries compared to the number of plays during a career is low but it's always on the horizon. it's not hard to tell when a kid has been taught correctly/incorrectly and unfortunately you still see it at the college level and professional level every day. the game speed has increased along with size, speed, strength, and raw ability at all levels compared to just 20 years ago. the game isn't meant to be played passive so injuries are always going to happen. good luck to all those brave enough to still strap on a helmet and play.

You want beach, go to the Eastern Shore. Bay side has calm water, ocean side is stunningly beautiful. But best if all, there's no one over there

The ocean is the ocean, whether there’s 100 people or 1,000,000 people. Personally, I’d rather avoid places like Myrtle.

Right choice for the kids and program. Glad Coach Tarter was named to lead the Blues and give them continuity. A heart for the Blues and a mentor for the kids. He did an awesome job as "head coach" against Ridgeview and led the Blues in almost pulling off the win.

Dinnis Vault? \

As a parent with two kids in the Richlands youth program, can some one tell me why they feel that the league is failing? I just registered my boys last week, to play flag football this summer and football this fall.

When I was Powell Valley Middle Schooler and High Schooler, my dad umpired softball. Kevin Saunders often screamed harshly at his players and often had them crying.

He is a winner,he expects boys to be men or on there way to being a man, did he cures-yes, grab a kid by the facemask-yes, did he let little johnny's parent tell him "little johnny should play because I GAVE THE PROGRAM $$$$, ---NO.HE is better suited for kids that have seen a lot worse than a coach raising his voice at practice.I would dare to say that if JJ KELLY or CENTRAL would have kept SAUNDERS that they may have had a ring or two

My brother was working on a construction project close to the JJK practice field back when Saunders was there. He said he didn't know how Saunders hadn't been attacked by his players or parents.

Lebanon’s schedule: 8/27 Honaker 9/3 @ Patrick Henry 9/10 Eastside 9/17 @ Chilhowie 9/24 @ Virginia 10/1 Gate City 10/8 Northwood 10/15 @ Castlewood 10/22 Holston 10/29 OPEN 11/5 @ Rural Retreat

I'm not sure why some are mad about this game, shouldn't have ended this game too begin with. TW is different story though.