Just like winning football games is not in Virginia's wheelhouse :P
You should be thanking us Big Stone guys, we gave you your only Heisman candidate of my lifetime.
(He finished in the top 6 IIRC)
The saddest part about this whole mess?
I have a ton of respect for the UVA athletic program (the university has some black marks from the Rolling Stone article but a lot of that was proven to be false but campus rape is a real issue everywhere and schools need to do a much better job at protecting women). I have a strong dislike for Tech, but I really do root for UVA in football and basketball in every game unless it was somehow against Alabama.. I love Tony Bennett, he is the most underrated coach in the nation, and I had UVA in my Final Four last year. I am on the fence about London, he has recruited well but the team has not played up to their potential. He has a true, no doubt All-American in Quin Blanding, the 5* freshman who came in and was arguably UVAs best player last year. London has landed two top 10 kids in the past two years, with Blanding (who was probably going to Alabama until you bastards stole him :P but we evened it out by stealing Hand), Brown, and Jamil Kamara. This year's class is not as good, it lacks the elite talent that the 2014 class had, but I believe Jahvoni (sp?) Simmons could become a very good player for UVA. He is a hard UVA commit and basically a done deal right? Are there any other highly rated guys that UVA could finish with this year?
But my point is, if we can just agree to disagree about UVA's athletes being as good as UK's, we will probably get along just fine because UVA is a school I always pull for, I've had friends graduate and I've also had a good friend who spent some time on Mike London's staff.
We also share a hatred of Virginia Tech, I assume you despise Tech too being a Hoo
Kicking BW out May be the dumbest thing that could happen. He's brought more excitement here than anything I've seen in years
We are now allies.
Guys, its okay to rile each other up to an extent as long as it does not get personal. You know 1inStripes, a guy you guys really respect I believe? I know him, and yet I give him HELL if I see he is on the sidelines during a Union game.
Guru and I have completely different views, but it at least makes it fun to post. No need to be all serious all the time.
Didnt Richland use two QBs at one point during last season? I seem to remember them using another kid at QB during the Union game (a game that Richlands gave away, damn we had no business winning up there that night).
Gate City loses their best overall playmaker, but they were so young anyway they will just reload.
It will sound homer-ish, but really dont sleep on Union. When the offense is rolling, its very tough to stop. The only time Union was not in a position to win a game was at Gate City and Marion, and both games started in the worst possible way for the Bears and Union isnt the same team on the road as they are at home.
Union's defense should be improved on the inside run game, those youngsters will continue to grow and develop, but I admit I know very little about the linebackers aside from James Mitchell at OLB and maybe Noaks at FS/CB.
We (Union) have most likely the most athletic offense in region. Its going to be up to the QB to be able to get them the ball in the right spots and the offensive line to at least pose a threat of a running game. But Union returns their top four receivers, and I really believe Mitchell will be the focal point down the field this season and he will be hell on defenses because he lines up at TE a lot to throw off the other teams. There are no linebackers in this area that can guard him one on one.
Itll still likely be Richlands or GC, but Union should have a good team.
And its crazy to think but shows how much football is about matchups, Richlands beats GC, Union beats Richlands, but Gate City SMASHES Union.
The districts mean nothing playoff-wise, I know how the power points work, I was just saying those are in that district, and thats how I believe they end up.
I think Union will be tough BUT I also think Union will have a tougher time at QB than many think it is not that easy to replace a 4 year starter.
As for Ridgeview I think that the key will be if we can put together a good line Both Clintwood and Haysi looked to be thin in returning players at those positions.
As for the best TE/WR in the area i would put Gage Hill up there with anyone in SWVA.
IMHO AA is tougher top to bottom than Single A but over the last few years IMHO I think that the Top teams in the State have been in single A. If Haysi had been in Single A last season I think that they at the very least finish in the top 4 in the west.
I see the season like this
Jenkins (Easy win--- glorafied scrimage I will hate this game if it continues past this cycle but I think Ridgeview will need a soft start to gel as a team)
Central (Win--- Central has a hell of a QB but lost his supporting cast)
Pantsville (Loss-- From what I am hearing they are on par with the Hazard teams Clintwood played in there State Championship run with a Div 1 QB prospect Could be the toughest team that they see all season)
Union (Tossup --- Mullens has owned Turner in the Clintwood vs Union series....Union Looks to have the best team in several years but with an untested QB it could go eaither way)
Lee (Win ---- Lee is heading in the right direction But IMHO is graduating to many multi year starters at the skill possitions there year will be wheather they rebuld or reload)
GC (Loss -----Hate picking losses but GC was a softmore domanated team last season they will be NASTY there next 2 years I am just glad that the game is at Ridgeviwe this season)
Battle (Win -- I think Battles run as a legt continder is over)
Marion (Win --- As I understand it Marions STUD players from last season all graduated so this will be for the most part the team that lost to Northwood in week 1 last season)
Grundy (Win -----No idea what has happened to Grundy over the last ten years )
Honaker (Win ----Honaker Graduated 20+ seniors the BDD is up for grabs this season)
I think Ridgeview is looking at 7-3 or 8-2 next season.....that being said Haysi and Clintwood will need to Gel and find there new identy which could be an issue early in the season (And why I HATE the district games being played that early in the season)
Arent you guys replacing a QB too? And the Union QB stepping in his played some last season and some believe he will be more talented and better than the graduating senior.
Gage Hill is great, but James Mitchell is a legit D1 prospect as a freshman. As Guru said, if Union would use him the way NE uses Gronk or NO uses Graham, he might get 20 TD catches.
And Mullins is 3-1 v. Turner, but at least two years CW had clearly better teams and one was a state title contender. And three of the four games have been decided by four points or fewer. CW won in 2013 23-21, killed us 29-7 in 2012, and it was a 30-26 game in 2011.
Mullins is one of the best coaches in the region and Turner is a first time HC, I wont really hold it against him because its no shame whatsoever in losing to CW and Rick Mullins.
But Union is on a winning streak v. CW, even if it is just one game :lol:
Just a few of the threads in which I have posted and had quality posts, including the Super Bowl thread. But the narrative I am just an a-hole who is constantly chiding people, so I guess me refuting that does no good.
BW...you know you have buried yourself when blueinbama chastises you. He is probably the most level-headed, pragmatic poster on here. I have stepped in it a time or two and he is very adept at putting things in perspective. I would heed his observations were I you.
And by the way, have you noticed that you are about the only person in any of these posts who uses vulgarities? That ought to tell you something...
(I did not count blueinbama calling you the "a" word...it was most appropriate).
When did I use vulgarity? I have went out of my way to try and not use any vulgarities at all. Its not as if I am swearing in every post I make, I have tried to make sure I am not using vulgar language.
Yeah, you've really endeared yourself to everyone here. Some of us have been here for several years, and to have an outsider come here and say things like this about a community that we have all enjoyed for a long, long time does tend to alienate you from the rest of us. Let me try and simplify it for you: People who brag on themselves are usually not very well liked, not only here but in life in general. We refer to those types of people as "full of themselves". Whether you were once a star Jr. High athlete or not doesn't matter to anyone but you. Whether or not you were a "well-known" poster on another website is irrelevant here. Your comments are here for all to see. I stayed out of it for a while in hopes that you would actually open your eyes and see what you were doing to yourself, but you just couldn't leave it alone. You spend more time explaining how "poor innocent BigWinners" is being attacked, and bragging about what a "great athlete" and "famous poster" you are than you do talking about sports. And seeing as how everyone here but you thinks you're the one instigating all the attacks, I suggest you go back and read what you have posted. You certainly have played an instrumental role in "keeping the angst alive".
Face it, this is on you. You have come here and implied this forum is not "up to your standards" so to speak, and you have done nothing but pump yourself up in order to make yourself feel somehow vindicated. Guess what? You failed.
It takes a lot to piss me off, but you have definitely succeeded.
So forgive me if I don't feel "lucky" to be graced with your presence on this website. Arrogant assholes like you are a dime-a-dozen.
Point 1:
I have never bragged about any form of athletic ability, just proved to a poster that I was in fact a high school athlete when it was suggested I was some wannabe
Please show me where I have antagonized another poster without prior provocation. I would welcome a quote that shows that. All I have done is defend myself to the people on here who seem to have a problem with me. I had a fun little back and forth with Guru, but it was all in good fun. You people take yourself soo seriously, why? Its an internet forum, this isnt the United Nations. Its a place to talk sports and go back and forth, not solve world problems.
The reason I have mentioned my prior posting and my sports knowledge WAS TO TRY AND FIT IN WITH YOU GUYS FFS. I wanted you to know that I can discuss sports with anyone, and would be willing to discuss anything with anybody. You guys have a hard on for me, when I have never started a flame war with anyone, its all you people who feel the need to attack me. Im not playing the victim FFS, just go read the posts in order. Go show me where I was being an a-hole to someone without provocation. Ill be waiting.
Honestly? I dont care if you like me or not. I came on here because its the best remaining place to find out local scores and see how the rest of the region is doing.
But all I have gotten in return is self-righteousness, petty insults, and backlash at every step.
Show me where I have been out of line in a thread that had not devolved into people attacking me. Please.
And when I post about my sports knowledge and such, its not about bragging, I was trying to explain that I have a lot to offer in terms of sporting discussion and can hold my own on any of the major sports. Im not trying to be arrogant about it, I was trying to tell you people that Im not some moron with no clue about sports.
If you dont want me here, fine. If you guys get so wound up over one poster, then fine ban me and I sure as shit wont try and make multi-accounts to post.
If the poll shows you want me to leave, fine.
Because it would truly be your loss. Go read the rest of my posts in the football forum and such, Im a reasonable, knowledgeable poster and yall want to ban me LOL
Central recently cancelled a game last week because of the weather when school was called off, even tho Union went on and played at Lee High and per a friend in Wise, the weather was no issue at all
Union will be just fine at QB, I feel very confident in that.
Union was not some elite team, and CW did almost beat them early, but they didnt. Union was playing much better down the stretch, and beat Richlands.
Union returns an All-State TE (who will be a sophomore), a second team All-State WR/RB in Noaks, and a big time athlete in Gavin. They were very young on the offensive and defensive lines last season, those kids will only improve. Bryce Spears, a very clutch WR, also returns.
No one said Union was a dominant 2A team, they got railed by GC. They were a good team, and were seven turnovers away from beating the eventual state champion, but they are not a powerhouse just yet. I think Haysi+CW v. Union would have been a great game last year and either team could win.
Not many teams in the area can guard Union's wide receivers. When you have a TE that no TE or S in the area can cover, a scat back WR/RB that is a big play threat and makes people miss and can break a big play at any time, and a long, athletic WR in Gavin who is a legit 6'3 with great leaping ability. He was injured all year and never got into his groove, he should be much better next year. Return Jake Barnett, a LB, a big strong kid (the basketball player), and a freshman DT named Jeb Stidham that is gonna be a force to be reckoned with going forward. He was a true freshman last year and started every game at DT, and played a few games OL and DL.
Does Union lose Sage and their RB? If so, they lose a lot.
My guess is, Union, Gate City, Marion, and Ridgeview will all have a shot at winning the district, with Gate City being the obvious front runner with Union behind them.
Are you seriously threatening to ban me? For what? What have I done to deserve being banned? What forum rules have I broke?
And please show me where I flamed another poster who had not flamed me to begin with *GURU*. I have made it a point to not go after anyone until they say shit about me.
I know who you are, you used to post on the LPD Forum, and Im sure you would remember my old name on there and you would know Im not an arrogant flamer, I have fun and kid around but I dont go around trolling and insulting people for no reason.
See, in that post above, GMan decides to take a shot at me, but if I respond about him being a loser or whatever, I would get chided as being off-putting or arrogant or flaming.
If you take yourself as a moderator that seriously, says a lot more about you than me. Ban me if you want, if you feel the need to make me respect your author-ity.
The VHSL has it as a win, and the scoreboard showed Union as winners so I will take it. Strange game all-around, Lee cant blame the refs for letting Union get that close anyway.
Thats a terrible analogy, because I came in with no intentions of irking the guys here. I was going back and forth with that GC fan, and then all of the sudden I am sexist and the rest of the forum decides to throw stones.
Its more like a traveler arriving at a destination. Most of the time, the hosts are more courteous and welcome other members instead of picking arguments all the time.
I have NEVER once attacked any of the other posters aside from Guru with no provocation.
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Roanoke Times Top 10 ... Basketball
in SWVA Basketball
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I cant find where the tourney is being held, but it would be a much longer drive for a Martinsville or Dan River to Richlands than Gate City or VHS.