Plywood_King

Congratulations, Panthers! That certainly makes the race for the Smyth County Championship more interesting. I had a feeling they would surprise some people, and a rivalry game against a somewhat overrated Chilhowie team is the perfect place for that to happen.

I will agree that Colley deserves the opportunity to coach Ridgeview, should he want to. I also think that given the respect Colley has earned through the years, he would be the better choice from a coaching standpoint. However, for the sake of Coach Colley's legacy, I hope that he doesn't choose to take the HC job, and I'll tell you why. R.B.Worthy and Rich Valley High Schools were two schools with lots of tradition that were very proud of their football teams. The part of their tradition that they enjoyed the most was that they disliked each other. When Worthy and Rich Valley were consolidated to form Northwood, the powers that be decided that it would be a good decision to select Gary Arnold to coach the team. Coach Arnold was a local legend who had coached at Rich Valley, bringing them the most success they had seen since the fourties. After leaving Rich Valley, he began coaching at Worthy, prior to the consolidation of the two. The consolidation happened, and like always, it took several years of building before the team could shape into a truly competitive team. I don't think that I have ever seen a consolidated team immediately jump out and play to its full potential. But that wasn't quick enough for the Shaker and Steer alumni, who like all fans awaiting the consolidation of their team with another, were excited to see just how good that team could be. Next thing you know, you had Rich Valley fans turning against Arnold for "leaving the Valley and becoming a Shaker," and the Worthy fans saying, "Well, he's just a Steer and always will be." You had the people complaining that he was starting a player from the Valley over a player from Saltville, or vice-versa, and suddenly this old rivalry is just as intense as it was before consolidation. Bearing in mind, these sentiments are being displayed by the players' parents, siblings, and neighbors, which seeds distrust and a lack of school pride in the players. Coach Arnold never posted a winning record at Northwood, and if you know much about Northwood football, they haven't had many since he left, despite the fact that both Worthy and Rich Valley were formidable powerhouses (especially Worthy) prior to their consolidation. Now, in no way do I think that will happen to Ridgeview. There were special circumstances that caused the problems at Northwood, that they are just now starting to overcome (25 years later). However, I would hate to Coach Colley, or Coach Mullins for that matter, wind up hurting their reputation by not achieving the immediate success that the fans want to see. I don't envy anyone who has to be the first person to take over the reigns at a consolidation school. I think that Coach Robbins at PV had it right with his philosophy of, "I'll do anything you want me to do if it will help this school, just don't ask me to coach." I know that Colley still has several good years of coaching ahead of him, should he choose to continue, but his legacy as a coach (in my opinion) should always be Tiger-related, and as an ambassador for Ridgeview. I know that it would make a huge difference to the Haysi fans to know that a man like Coach Colley, as well respected in the community as he is, supports the new school, whether it be as an assistant coach, an AD, or something as simple as selling hotdogs at the concession stand.

Marion rallies from eight down in the fourth to defeat Happy Valley 61-60 on a three-point buzzer beater off an inbound. What a comeback.

Maybe some experimentation, but the Wing-T has gotten Coach Wright two state semi-final appearances in both D2 and D4 classifications. I wouldn't expect to see him run anything else as a base offensive scheme. Of course, you can integrate the pistol into the Wing-T playbook without changing personel pretty easilly, but I don't think it would be the same pistol attack that the "spread-era" guys want to see.

I think it's time we rename the BBD "The Tiger Pen." No doubt, the title game is going to Tiger vs. Tiger at Fuller Field, but I think I'll give Honaker a slight edge on this one. Home field advantage and a chip on their shoulder from getting embarrassed this year is going to give Honaker a lot to play for. Of course, I was late to jump on the Haysi bandwagon this year, but they did certainly make believers out of me. The Hogo is going to be a tough call next year. I don't think that George Wythe is going to fully bounce back this year, but then again, I don't know of anyone in the district who I think will fair any better. Chilhowie is bringing back most of its line, which if you know anything about Chilhowie, the line is what makes or breaks a Chilhowie team. Marion could be very good on offense, but I think they have lost too much on defense. I know people say it every year, but this could be a good year for Northwood, and playing in a district that isn't exactly playing its best football and a very managable OOD schedule, they could get seven or eight wins pretty easilly. A lot of guys returning for the Raiders, but never underestimate the Wave. I'll say Burton for now, but don't quote me on it. I feel like an ESPN reporter talking about Miami, but "the Blue Devils are back." Not to mention Battle and Union could be doing some rebuilding. That whole "Tazewell winning the SWD" thing is a bold prediction, but I'm kind of inclined to agree with you. Of course, that would mean that they have to beat Richlands, and I'll believe that when I see it. I remember Marion was going to be good enough to knock off Richlands a couple years ago too, but that's a little bit easier said than done.

7 months, 29 days, 2 hours, 20 minutes until preseason play starts 8 months, 12 days, 2 hours, 40 minutes until regular season starts Anybody want to attempt a "way-too-early-to-predict" prediction for next season?

Small world. I did the exact opposite thing last year during the Clintwood/George Wythe game. That was also the night that I realized how genius the engineers who created Pendleton Field were. It is SO MUCH COLDER on the away side than the home stands.

I wouldn't get my hopes up yet. If they make it through this weekend, it's only going to get tougher in the cross divisional round. I hope I'm wrong, but my gut is telling me we'll see an All-East 2A Championship this year. The four remanining East teams aren't necessarilly the teams that I expected to see there (as is the same with the four West teams), but that doesn't mean that they aren't talented. I don't care how good or bad of a season it is, when you look across to the other side of the bracket and see Goochland and Riverheads waiting, you know you're in for a tough game. Clarke County and Brunswick are both kind of dark horses (especially Brunswick), but they're both very hot and very hungry. I'd love to see Richlands and Gate City both get to the big one, but it's going to be tough sledding this week, and probably even tougher in the semis.

I know that at the Marion/Appomattox game last night there was someone shouting "Get your boy off the field!" while they were waiting to bring in the cart to get Sam Wagner off the field when he was injured. The coaches and medical staff finally had enough and helped him over to the sideline and put him on the cart there. However, every Appomattox fan that I encountered face-to-face was very polite, perhaps more than any group of fans I've ever had contact with. Unfortunately there's somebody like that in every crowd. It's a shame, but you've got to take it for what it's worth and realize that the actions of some don't reflect the actions of all.

Ha. I see what you did there.

Pretty close. They were around 685 enrollment the last time I checked, meaning that if we were under the old classificaion system, they would have dropped from D4 to D2 in eight years time.

As I stated in an earlier post, Chilhowie has been known to buy into its own hype and have already dropped a couple this year because of that. After the big wins over George Wythe, Patrick Henry, and Holston, locking the Hogo, it's possible they could do that again. A first year coach and a team that has reached success by striving to perform beyond their abilities can prove to be very inconsistent, as the Warriors have looked at times. But regardless of his experience, Robinson is a good coach. I think he'll have the boys ready and they'll move on to Round 2. Chilhowie 31, Auburn 21

D4. A very small D4 school, but D4 nonetheless. They had 814 students, making Bassett, Fieldale-Collinsville, Carroll County, Lee, and Magna Vista the only D4 schools that were smaller. I actually chuckled a little bit when I realized that Marion had 814 students twelve years ago. I guess that only reiterates the whole point of "declining population."

If my memory serves me correctly, the last time I saw them, they ran a pro-syle offense and they do a little bit of everything. I believe they ran a 3-4, because there didn't seem to be anything unusual, defensively. A very speed oriented team. I haven't seen a lot from them this year but I know that they have a very good runningback; don't blink, you might miss him. If it's a Friday night game at Hurricane Stadium, I like Marion's chances, but I'm still not sure I would pick them. I'm leaning toward the Raiders if it's a close one, simply because Marion has been notorious for not being able to close tight games. Should be a good contrast of styles, though.

I don't know. Given the spread between their seeding, I feel very confident that Gretna will win, but the likelihood of an upset here is higher than Giles/Grayson County and probably Dan River/Glenvar. If Gretna were to sleepwalk, maybe. But teams that have "been there before" don't sleepwalk very often in playoffs. Not to mention the long drive. I wouldn't get my hopes up.

John Battle at Marion: Too many storylines to mention them all, but Coach Wright returning to Hurricane Stadium for the first time since he accepted the job at Battle is going to make for a special moment. Auburn at Chilhowie: Most people would say that this one is in the bag, but Chilhowie has been incredibly inconsistent this season and has been known to buy its own hype. After the big victory over Holston, they could sleepwalk in this game. J.I. Burton at Clintwood: Burton finished strong despite a lack-luster season. They were controlled by Clintwood the first time they met, but anytime you see two rivals lined up to play each other in playoffs, especially in the coalfields, your eyes have to get a little wilder. Overall, I'm really excited about the way this bracket appears like it will play out. A lot of great matchups in the opening round, and it looks like we may get some interesting games further down the line.

I think this one comes down to two things: Marion's linebackers and center. The Canes' linebackers have been stout all year, but they really struggled last week with poorly disciplined tackles, allowing Brown to run all over them (not a hard thing to let happen). However, the more consistent problem has been getting the ball to the quarterback. There have been games this season where I was hoping and praying for Marion to pun, because having their offense on the field was a liability with the ball rolling to the QB's feet on every other play. I think after being embarrassed by the Cats last week, the Canes will come focused and get the job done this week, but if they can't tackle appropriately and can't keep the ball off the ground, it could be a long night for Marion. If the Canes bring their A-game, I like Marion 38-24, but if they struggle again, I'm going to say Abingdon 35-28. Be safe driving up here BigO, and anyone else who may be traveling tonight.

Shoot, HurricaneWarning, that was quick.

That "big Tennessee school Happy Valley" has 300 fewer students than Abingdon.

Holston's offense is as good as they come. They can run, they can pass; they can do just about anything. Their defense however, is a completely different story. If they were playing on a neutral field, I would pick the Cavs, but I learned a long time ago, never pick against Chilhowie at home in a close game. I like Chilhowie in a high scorer, 42-34.

Wow, I'm actually kind of surprised it took him this long. The kid's a beast. He's going to make a college coach very happy with his commital.

I agree with jblank. Kind of surprised that everyone is leaning toward Lee. Make no doubt about it, Lee has a fine football team, but both teams know what is at stake and they will bring their A-games. I like the Cats in a shootout, 42-40. (Don't ask where I got the 40 from, it just feels right)

If by "had their number the last few years" you mean lost by an average score of 40-20, then yes, you are correct. If by "lost to Northwood" you mean beat Northwood 40-0, then yes, you are correct. If by "VA High whipped them last week," you mean Marion sleepwalked through a game between Union and their out-of-district rivals (no disrespect toward the Bearcats, they earned the victory), then yes, you are correct. If by "Botetourt is a good matchup for Abingdon" you mean that Botetourt can get a virtual bye week in the opening round of playoffs, then yes, once again, you are correct. The last time Abingdon played at Hurricane Stadium, Marion hung 55 points on them, 35 of which came in less than a minute and a half of playtime, and Marshall Wagner broke the Smyth County single game passing record. I don't think we'll see anything quite that severe this Friday, but if history has taught us anything, I think the Falcons will get some extra time to practice for basketball season; they're not going anywhere next week. Marion 38, Abingdon 31