GoBearsGo

I think Lee and Ridgeview and Grundy are bubble teams. Ridgeview needs to win out. Lee will be in tough games with Central Wise and Va High. Gate City can get lots of points with a win over Central.. Graham gets in in my opinion. So does Martinsville.

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.

The bottom half may change some but the top half of 2A is as stout as any division in this state.

This is why I refuse to say much anymore with this new group of "supporters" taking over.

At this point, we all pretty much know you're a Lee fan.

You know who won't underestimate these two? These two.

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!

Congratulations Union!
 
I did not think that many points would be scored. It hurts to lose but you guys have a great team and I hope we meet again this year. I want get into the finger pointing it just demishes the great game we saw.
 
Talked with many Union fans and not one was rude. Everybody was great!
Good luck the rest of the season.......until we meet again.
 
Its just amazing 5 games can be decided by a GRAND total of 12 points. WOW!!!!

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!!

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!!

Congratulations Union!Hard fought game.

Congrats Union, keep your heads up Blues! Played a heck of a game. Two great teams with a lot of talent!

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!

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!

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!

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.

Maybe I'm way off, but I did not see the Burton team that everyone has hyped to be, INCLUDING myself. Perrigan seemed gimpy the whole night. Don't know if it was the brace or something else. He broke away once in the Grundy game, and he just simply didn't seem as fast as advertised.
 
Don't get me wrong Burton has a solid team, but I didn't see the team I expected. Maybe they were playing opossum.
 
And anyone planning to go...they replaced their visitor bleachers with 4 tiny little sections. The band, I'm sure, will take up one. That only leaves 3 and they are at field level, so the first 3-5 rows won't be able to see over the players on the sideline.

I don't think that even most Richlands fans believe we can completely take away the pass from Union.  You have a good QB with a very good arm and a great set of receivers with size, speed, and good hands so it's gonna be hard for anybody to stop that,  but I think because of the size and speed of our D-backs this year,  we may have a better chance at slowing it down or at least limiting the damage they can do better than most of the teams the Bears will face this year.  But I think it all comes down to how well our front 7 is able to put pressure on your QB,   as others have stated on here,  probably the best way to slow down that pass offence is to put the QB either on his back,  or make him hurry his passes more than he wants.
This is gonna be another classic in this series !!   That stadium is gonna be over flowing with a college type of atmosphere,   that is the only thing I know for sure about that game..........well that and it's gonna be a lot of fun to watch.
 
But,  the Blues will need to take care of Business at Ernie the week before against a very good and dangerous team in GC.  Over look them at all,  and it could be a long night for the Blues.  I have too much respect for their program to look past them,  and I can bet you that Mance will not make that mistake ! 

They definitely look good. Remember Union had a shot at beating Glenvar last year if only a couple of things went there way it might have been very different in Salem. Then returning is a lot of those young men.......Union may very well be the team to beat if the defense can do its part.
 
Like I have said many times this year........It will be an electric atmosphere and no doubt a huge crowd when Richlands goes to Union. Probably another classic

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.

Looks like it may be a battle between Union and the Blues this year in Southwest VA. I heard nothing but good things from Unions scrimmage with Tennessee High yesterday. 21-7 when lightning struck and stopped the show early.....and Union was missing their starting QB and another key offensive weapon. I think GC is just a few steps behind the best teams in SW VA this year and that possibly could be coming in 4th behind Ridgeview..... even though I came away fairly impressed in their scrimmage with Betsy. Should be some good battles this year between the top teams. I think GC and Ridgeview will make strides towards the end of the season....but Southwest VA area should be Union or Richlands to lose. (And I'm not including the teams from Three Rivers.....just speaking of Mountain and Southwest district)

It sounds like the Bears scrimmage highlighted both the strengths and weaknesses of the Union team.  When you have 60 + players then organizing, managing, doctoring, and disciplining can keep the coaching staff busy.  Last season due to injury I'm not sure the Bears ever put the same team on the field two weeks in a row.  But the depth is there to make the adjustments as needed.  As a Bear fan I sure was excited about reading how well the freshmen quarterback and sophomore receiver did in the Stone Castle.  I'm looking for a lot of exciting plays from those two over the next several seasons.  Also I heard good comments about the Bears defense.  It does seam like a solid beginning for the team.       

http://www.heraldcourier.com/sports/bears-pass-the-scrimmage-test-against-vikings/article_96d113fe-42ed-11e5-9793-2b9bdf66e00c.html
 
I thought it was a good outing, but it seems that Nate Hubbard and Tenn High's coach thought they were even better.

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!!