GoBearsGo

I see GC getting in also with a win over Central.. I'm afraid Lee and Ridgeview may be a "bubble" team for lack of better word. Lee still has a tough Central team and Va High to go and if I remember right Ridgeview has Grundy and Honaker.

I think there will be a lot of changes, especially in the bottom 8. Lots of matchups in the coming weeks that will affect that bottom half. Now is when it gets fun!!

Not sure what "pop shot" is exactly but I can assure you I didn't take a shot at anyone. I'm glad to see Lee competitive, makes the Mountain District that much better of a district. Not everybody that makes a post is trying to put "your" team down.

I don't think you will ever see "recruiting" going on at Union. Way to much talent in our JV, middle and youth programs. GC & Richlands, sure.. but don't hold your breath to get "recruited" by Union. I just think it's funny that nobody was complaining about Lee's coaching staff last season when they were stacked with talent. The best way I've heard it put was that good teams "reload" after losing a bunch of talent, mediocre teams "rebuild". Union lost 4-5 really talented seniors last season but have gotten better!

I have a lot of respect for the Lee team.. The biggest negative I see to them getting respect is their strength of schedule. They were great last year and their record showed it. But when you open with TW, Lebanon and Burton you aren't going to earn much respect this early. Especially with the schedules that GC, Richlands, and Union open with. I like seeing Lee being in the mix, it makes the Mountain District and Conference 40 one of the best around IMO.

I hear what everyone is saying, but if you think the same things don't get said to visiting fans everywhere you go you're mistaken. Unfortunately every town has those few "exceptions" that make everyone else look bad. We all know what they say about bad apples. TRUE fans will never badmouth a visiting team or after a win, TRUE fans realize that these are 15-17 year old kids playing a game and giving everything they've got to entertain US. Also, I'm sorry about the situation with the local police. It's a shame but like most local cops they like to show their authority a little to much. I don't understand the repaying thing myself if you have a ticket stub. My father has medical issues and has needed to go out to his vehicle a few times and gets the same treatment. Again, don't classify Union fans as rude. 99% of us are hardworking, honest people who just love our kids and our Union football!

Boy-o-boy what a football game we witnessed! Congrats to both teams on a well played game. I don't know that I have ever see two more evenly matched teams. The rest of Virginia 2A better take notice!!

I don't think its appropriate to mention the kids name on here.. I just think we should stick to football and leave the off the field stuff out.

fb_fan24263 is correct unfortunately. It will definitely be a set back but not a game changer by any means. Still expect a great game! Let's be adults and not drag some kid through the mud for making a boneheaded mistake. We've all been there!

The "Pigskins Picks" show on 93.5 WAXM out of Norton does a great job! All the guys are very versed on local sports (football specifically) and even talk some college stuff. The air live on Thursdays evenings and then re-air the show on Friday's before game time. IMO it's worth checking out if you haven't. If you can't get the station where you are you can stream it online.

Here's my 2 cents... Union was impressive, but the things that stood out to me were the running game and defense. Noaks played a heck of a game on both sides of the ball and we didn't have to show much on the passing game because we ran the ball with ease. On the other hand, no offense to anyone but Burton was horrible. The RB that has been so hyped was not impressive at all, passing game was nonexistent, special teams (punts) were bad, the HUGE line got manhandled all night. Just an all around bad showing by Burton. I hope for their sake they just had a bad night, but I felt after the jamboree they didn't have much.

I'm with Union_Fan... I didn't see much from Burton at the Jamboree. Of course that's the case with most teams in preseason scrimmages/jamborees but with Burton there wasn't much. Perrigan is fast but being fast isn't always enough. He took one good shot (from a very undersized Castlewood player) and was gimpy the whole rest of the game. Not sure he will make it a whole season but I hope so. They are big up front which will hurt a team that runs between the tackles, but Union definitely doesn't fit that bill. I'm biased, but I'm taking Union by 3 TD's in this one!

And Tn High did get blew up, but by DB. That's to be expected.

Definitely don't think that Grundy was in the same ball park. Their first drive was solid but after that Union had their way with them on offense and defense. The last 2 td's they scored was against a lot of reserves and the final was even after they scored with 4 seconds to go after calling a timeout near the goal line with primarily JV players on the field. The score was no sign of the way that game went. Union would have beaten Grundy by 5 TD.

The QB in the video that played in the TN High scrimmage won't be the starting QB. #16 is a freshman and has a ton of potential but if definitely not ready to be the starter IMO. The starting QB was suspended for the scrimmage for a bone-headed decision on his part, but definitely has the arm and legs to be a great QB. Many around think he should have been our starter for the last 2 seasons. It was good to see #16 get the time and he definitely opened some eyes, but he does need another good year as a backup and JV QB and he will be ready to go.

Can't forget about Union's other two wideouts. Barnette is a solid 6'4" and a big athletic kid, more of a TE but lines up at WR also. And Noaks who is probably the best athlete on the field at any given time for the Bears. 4 targets are going to be hard for any team around to cover! 3 really good RB's will keep teams honest too.. Gonna be interesting to watch!

Good start for the Bears! Much better on defense than I was expecting. Offense was good even with a few keys missing. Should be another solid year!!

The PA announcer from Marion last season was a doozy! Throughout the course of the Marion/Union game he called two penalties that the officials didn't even throw a flag on and called 3 plays for Marion 1st downs when they were a good 2 yards short! Not that it made a difference, Union was outmatched that game but it was pretty comical to witness! As far as favorites, Ken Crowder at JI Burton has always done a great job! He's probably tops on my list! Great voice, fair and unbiased.

The place looks amazing! The new facilities in this area are all great! I don't see how anyone can visit Union, Central, Eastside or Ridgeview and say that our students are not better off after consolidation. Best of luck to the Pack from a Union fan!!

Sorry I missed the question the other day.. I didn't pick up on who was playing corner, I've heard that Spears may be playing both ways and I believe he played some corner last year.... The day I was there was mainly a "middle drill" with dline and LB's. I did make it to media day today and like the way we looked! Those new blue jersey's are sweet!!!

I'm with you on the defense, IMO Union's best defensive game of the year was against Glenvar. Because of the turnovers, it had to be! I caught practice again tonight and it was D night. I saw good size and speed and a bunch of kids flying to the ball. You will definitely see several guys going both ways. FBDevotee is right on with Mitchell and Barnett, I'll also add Noaks to that list as well (playing WR and S). Definitely a deep squad, I think we will see several guys as two-way starters but we will be able to sub to get them breathers...

Caught part of the Bears practice yesterday, mainly offense.. WR group going to be tough to cover, O line looks better than I expected but fairly young, good crop of running backs to rotate in and out. Hope the defense can keep us in ballgames and it will be a good season!

I like our Bears chances this year, but I see a big need for some young kids to step up on the O Line and D Line. We lost some really good lineman on both sides of the ball. We have the talent at the skill positions for sure and I think Spears will be a huge asset at QB both with his arm and legs. With the schedule we play it will be an exciting season!

Pretty good list!! I'll pitch in some thoughts on my Union Bears.. This year's QB will be really good, maybe better than last year. WR group has three kids that are 6'4"+ and can really go get it. Biggest question mark will be filling a couple of O Line and D Line spots where we lost some really good ballplayers to graduation, but there some young blood that looks promising. Good luck to everyone's teams!! Should be a great season in SWVA!

As a Union fan I feel your pain! Our regional quarterfinal game against Glenvar was painful to watch! We had 2 fumbles and 6 interceptions, definitely made for a long game.. btw.. First time poster! Nothing like good ol' HS Football conversations!