Union_Fan

See damnit I couldn’t remember if it was 6A or 5A so I went lower bc I didn’t wanna be accused of inflating their numbers. 

Radford football wins first state championship since 1972 (roanoke.com)

I literally rewinded the broadcast just to make sure I heard him correctly. That’s incredible. 

The Big Red Machine is about to pull a Graham and hit the panic button 

Just imagine you're attending a game in Tazewell Co and you should be fine.

He still have that Roy Orbison tattoo?

The real question is will all those accolades be enough to keep their players from coming across the state line? Asking for a friend. Haha 

The real question is will all those accolades be enough to keep their players from coming across the state line? Asking for a friend. Haha 

Chris Akers, Chris Akers, Chris Akers , Chris Akers !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

I believe that's just assumed and goes without saying. lol

I believe that's just assumed and goes without saying. lol

I believe that's just assumed and goes without saying. lol

We're all family in this part of Virginia. We can smack out sibling's around, but if anyone else tries, they have to come through us. This board has always showed that we all share a common thread, we want our team to be successful, but if that don't happen, we automatically pull for the other area teams, not always easy to do, but Southwest VA blood is thicker than water and it shows every year during the playoffs.  When Richlands was fortunate enough to be on top and go to state playoffs, I was amazed at all the area fans from other schools who were there in their colors pulling for the Blues.  The same goes for all the Blues fans who don the blue and white, but cheer for other teams from the area during their playoff games.  We are SWVA.

In addition to what @cityofRaven said, there are a lot of traits particular to SWVA that aren't seen in other parts of the state, or country for that matter. We are bonded by a common heritage, and more like family than acquaintances.
Take the flooding that devastated the Hurley community in Buchanan Co for example. That town is over 2 hrs away from BSG, but the town/high school organized a food/supply/money drive at the football games to take up donations. This same scene was duplicated at other towns all over SWVA.
As for HS football in particular, it's a part of that shared heritage, and while we may be rivals on the field, nobody wants to see another community in a bad situation. When Chris Akers was relieved of his duties at GC, that thread was bigger than this one.
We want to see all teams competitive...just not TOO competitive. haha

Graham had some issues with the defensive line that game in 2019.  They were missing a key player who got ejected the week before.  They looked confused and  were shifting guys around.  Tre Lawing connected on a long td pass to a wide open receiver, due to an inexperuenced player being forced into action that day.  Appomattox had one heck of a running back in Christian Ferguson and very good line play.  Z. Bradshaw had a punt return for a td called back.  I think the difference in that game was Appos ability to contain Graham's QB from getting to the outside when pressured, they did a great job.  The refs missed a couple of ineligible receiver downfield calls on #47 for Appo who didn't line up as an eligible receiver but went downfield  a few times, Graham defender covered him, which led to a couple of crucial completions for Appo.  It was a good experience for Graham.  I believe Graham could have won that game if they had gotten the ball into the hands of Marquel Ray and Bradshaw more on that day.  Appo was intent on stopping Graham's versatile qb.

In addition to what @cityofRaven said, there are a lot of traits particular to SWVA that aren't seen in other parts of the state, or country for that matter. We are bonded by a common heritage, and more like family than acquaintances.
Take the flooding that devastated the Hurley community in Buchanan Co for example. That town is over 2 hrs away from BSG, but the town/high school organized a food/supply/money drive at the football games to take up donations. This same scene was duplicated at other towns all over SWVA.
As for HS football in particular, it's a part of that shared heritage, and while we may be rivals on the field, nobody wants to see another community in a bad situation. When Chris Akers was relieved of his duties at GC, that thread was bigger than this one.
We want to see all teams competitive...just not TOO competitive. haha

Graham held Radford to less rushing yardage, passing yardage, and less points than any other opponent if I’m not mistaken. The “whatifs” are never fun to dwell on but we have to remember those are kids on the field and sometimes they mess up. Unfortunately, mess ups can cost you a game with a team that’s about as evenly matched. Taking nothing away from Radford and totally biased opinion, I think Graham is the better team but Radford did what they needed to do to get the win, Graham didn’t. I hope Bobcats can get the win this Saturday in Salem. 

Talk about a program that has fallen into disarray, JI Burton. Geez!

I think it’s awesome that this sense of community still exists. 

Not for long hahaha. This one may just beat it somehow... The biggest difference is that thread took 67 twists and turns, and this one has stayed fairly on point for the most part lol. 

In addition to what @cityofRaven said, there are a lot of traits particular to SWVA that aren't seen in other parts of the state, or country for that matter. We are bonded by a common heritage, and more like family than acquaintances.
Take the flooding that devastated the Hurley community in Buchanan Co for example. That town is over 2 hrs away from BSG, but the town/high school organized a food/supply/money drive at the football games to take up donations. This same scene was duplicated at other towns all over SWVA.
As for HS football in particular, it's a part of that shared heritage, and while we may be rivals on the field, nobody wants to see another community in a bad situation. When Chris Akers was relieved of his duties at GC, that thread was bigger than this one.
We want to see all teams competitive...just not TOO competitive. haha

In addition to what @cityofRaven said, there are a lot of traits particular to SWVA that aren't seen in other parts of the state, or country for that matter. We are bonded by a common heritage, and more like family than acquaintances.
Take the flooding that devastated the Hurley community in Buchanan Co for example. That town is over 2 hrs away from BSG, but the town/high school organized a food/supply/money drive at the football games to take up donations. This same scene was duplicated at other towns all over SWVA.
As for HS football in particular, it's a part of that shared heritage, and while we may be rivals on the field, nobody wants to see another community in a bad situation. When Chris Akers was relieved of his duties at GC, that thread was bigger than this one.
We want to see all teams competitive...just not TOO competitive. haha

Just an outsider looking in on Saturday and the 2019 game against Appo, I thought Graham was the better team both times. I thought Appo benefited from shear luck, and Radford benefitted from Graham's mistakes and poor offensive schemes.
I will say that Radford was way closer to Graham than I expected. This is where video never tells the whole story when trying to gauge a team I've never seen in person.
As I watched on Saturday, I was thinking that Graham fans know how Union people have felt in several big games over the years. I would rather get beat 40-0 and know we didn't have a chance than lose a close one and continue to wonder "what if?"

That's "Big Mike"
He was walking around on the field in BSG with a sleeveless shirt while it was still 40 degrees.
He definitely wants to be seen. I started to tell him to put on a jacket, but I know where I'm at in the pecking order. Lol

That’s Big Mike , strength and conditioning coach at Graham . My son has trained under him during the off season since the 8th grade . Although my son plays at Tazewell he treats him as if he was one of his kids at Graham . He is a great guy who loves working with these players.