Plywood_King

I can't even...
 

I can't even...
 

I can't even...
 

I'm not picking sides here, I just hope that whoever gets the job is qualified and gets the support of the athletic department and community. However, that is the most ridiculous logic I have ever heard. How many times have we seen excellent athletes fall flat on their face as a coach? Meanwhile, Doug Blevins has never kicked a football in his life, and is one of the most sought after kicking coaches to be involved in the sport. I'm not saying that Palmer wouldn't be successful, but to write off Akers because he wasn't a star athlete, when he has already proven his ability to coach, is asinine.
 
Although, let's be honest, it's all a moot point. Odds are, Akers will still in Rural Retreat this fall, and Graham will have a new coach that half of the community will be calling for to be fired by halftime against Bluefield. I hope I'm wrong, but it's the nature of the beast. Once you've had a taste of success, second best won't do, and patience isn't a trait that sports fans are known to practice.

Britt Stone new head football coach at John Battle
 
BRISTOL, Va. – Britt Stone describes himself as a “high-energy†guy.
That’s why the past few days have been so challenging for the 29-year-old Alabama native.
“I didn’t sleep Saturday or Sunday night. I guess that was part of the reason that I was so at peace Monday,†Stone said.
After weeks of meeting, waiting and hoping, Stone was officially named as the new John Battle head football coach late Monday night during a meeting of the Washington County School Board.
During an interview Tuesday afternoon, the Ozark, Alabama, native offered insight into his circuitous journey from Osceola High School in Florida and Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia to Battle Hill.
“My goal has been to be a head coach one day,†Stone said. “Did I think opportunity would present itself this early? Probably not. But this opportunity at John Battle was special.â€
Stone, who is married to former Tennessee High and Liberty University basketball star Courtney Watkins, was a four-year starter on the offensive line at Liberty.
In addition to guiding the Flames to a pair of Big South Conference titles, the 6-foot-2, 275-pound Stone was selected as all-conference pick as a senior. He earned an undergraduate in youth ministry at Liberty before acquiring a master’s degree in special education in 2009.
Stone began his coaching career with a one-year stint as an assistant at Morristown West High School, following up with a three-year apprenticeship at Daniel Boone. For the past two years, Stone served in a variety for roles for Tennessee High head coach Mike Mays.
“It’s been a blessing to work under Coach Mays,†said Stone, who favors a power-oriented running attack on offense. “I’ve been able to see all the hard work and the responsibilities that a new head coach faces.â€
Stone also credits Mays for allowing him to expand his knowledge base in football, including serving in the role as secondary coach.
“I always try to learn something new and get better every year, and Coach Mays kind of took me under his wing and allowed me to grow,†Stone said.
Due to the inclement weather which forced the closure of Washington County Schools, Stone was unable to meet the Battle faculty, players and assistants Tuesday.
“That’s my number one priority,†Stone said. “I want to meet all those people to build those relationships.â€
Stone has talked with several members of the John Battle community at his church and through informal chats. The topic of stability has been recurrent.
“I don’t have a one-year plan, I’ve got a 10-year plan,†Stone said. “I’m really looking forward to listening to everyone and investing in this community.â€
That community involvement path was the approach used by former head coach Steve Wright, who elevated the Battle program to new heights before resigning after the 2013 season. The Trojans posted a 2-8 record in 2014, a turbulent season in which Wright and Rocky Baker returned as interim co-coaches after Brian Lee resigned after a season-opening blowout loss to Abingdon.
Stone attended two Battle games in 2014.
“I’ve talked to Coach Wright before at coaches clinics and I’ve heard nothing but good things about him,†Stone said. “Coach Wright did a fantastic job with the Battle program and we share a similar perspective. We believe that football can be a tool that allows you to mold the lives of young men.
“I am big on the development of the whole person.â€
The son of a pastor who lives in the Birmingham, Alabama, area, Stone said he spent many hours praying over his new job.
“All my family is in Alabama, but Bristol feels like home to me,†he said. “It has the hometown feel and family values that are important to me and my family.
“And I really feel that John Battle is a unique opportunity that will be a good fit for me. It’s all about building those relationships. I see a lot of potential here.â€
 

I'm not picking sides here, I just hope that whoever gets the job is qualified and gets the support of the athletic department and community. However, that is the most ridiculous logic I have ever heard. How many times have we seen excellent athletes fall flat on their face as a coach? Meanwhile, Doug Blevins has never kicked a football in his life, and is one of the most sought after kicking coaches to be involved in the sport. I'm not saying that Palmer wouldn't be successful, but to write off Akers because he wasn't a star athlete, when he has already proven his ability to coach, is asinine.
 
Although, let's be honest, it's all a moot point. Odds are, Akers will still in Rural Retreat this fall, and Graham will have a new coach that half of the community will be calling for to be fired by halftime against Bluefield. I hope I'm wrong, but it's the nature of the beast. Once you've had a taste of success, second best won't do, and patience isn't a trait that sports fans are known to practice.

It might be wishful thinking in regards to FSU, but still, the struggle is real.

Agreed. It would help to know who the other player was, but I would imagine that the honor was deserving. Its tough to ask a player to carry a whole team, but it frequently happens on teams that are filled with less-than-all-star players. In addition, if that player can continue performing on a high level, despite their opponents knowing that all they have to do is shut down that player, it really speaks volumes for the caliber of play that they perform with. Take Erick Green for example. Virginia Tech may have finished last in the ACC last year, but that didn't take away from his accomplishments. The opposing teams knew that all they had to do was stop Green and they could stop the Hokies, but he continued playing well, despite not having much help. At the end of the season, he was ACC co-Player of the Year.
 
Now of course, I'm speaking generally here. I don't know who the other player was, but my guess is that it was a similar situation. There's no doubt that Miss Allen was/is a fantastic player, more than deserving of the honor and I feel certain she will earn many more down the road, but it's pretty conceited for a Richlands fan to think that someone from a team that didn't finish very high in the standings doesn't deserve recognition for their accomplishments.

Shots fired by Food City! Seriously, safe travels to anyone coming across the mountain(s). Here's to hoping that the better team wins, and everyone stays healthy.
 

And by "MOST of the HOGO" he means the four guys in Saltville whose jealousy outweighs their desire to see their District succeed. 

And by "MOST of the HOGO" he means the four guys in Saltville whose jealousy outweighs their desire to see their District succeed. 

And by "MOST of the HOGO" he means the four guys in Saltville whose jealousy outweighs their desire to see their District succeed. 

And by "MOST of the HOGO" he means the four guys in Saltville whose jealousy outweighs their desire to see their District succeed. 

This one is going WAY back, but it's one that I've heard ever since I was a kid:

In 1953, Marion scored 9 unanswered points in the final fifteen seconds to beat Clintwood, 56-52 in the state finals, giving VHSL Hall of Famer Charlie Harkins a state championship in his first season coaching. All five of Clintwood's starters were seniors, they had won two state titles in the three years prior, and they just had a VHSL-record 66 game win streak be broken. They were playing against Marion, who had three freshmen starters, as well as a first year head coach.

As you can imagine, it was quite the upset.

hokiebird, fyi I had the brisket and it was pretty serious. Mac n' Cheese was good too.  

70 years or so ago, one of Marion's coaches decided that they needed a live mascot. A goat was easy to manage, and could fit on a bus without having to bring a trailer, so that's what they went with. It's also on the Smyth County seal for some unknown reason.

There's a popular legend that Marion was too poor afford a tractor to cut the grass on the old football field, and that they would let goats graze on it to keep the grass short, but to me, that seems more anecdotal than factual.

The same Marion team that blew out Union, and defeated Abingdon, lost to Northwood, who in turn lost to Patrick Henry and Rural Retreat. PH lost to Tommy Walker, and Rural Retreat got beat by Holston, who allowed 72 points from Rye Cove.
 
Welcome to the Hogo. This is the same confusing mess of a District that went 4-2 against the SWD and 2-2 against the Mountain this year.

I saw Appomattox play Marion last year. They ran a split back veer, very little passing, and speed all over the field. My understanding is that they lost a lot of their playmakers from last year, but considering that they had similar results, I'd say that they're still going to be tough. If I remember correctly, they came as close as anyone did to defeating Giles last year, losing 17-14 in Pearisburg in the second round. I'm pulling for the Generals, but I get a feeling that it will be an uphill battle.

The chances of PH winning could be 1 in 10 but they have a chance. Not gonna get into a back and forth with a PH hater.

Man, I hate to see this one come to an end, but it's a perfect way to cap off the (Red) Tigers final regular season. Too much emotion in this one, I'm going with Haysi in a classic.

It amazes me that someone would hate a school so much that their nickname on a forum describes their hate.  You must hate Abingdon MORE than you support your team.. Says a lot about you.

My goodness, I don't know how much they pay Marion's groundskeeper, but it's not enough.