big ugly vol

About 25-30% of any given football team truly cares about representing their school/community and upholding the history/tradition of the program. It can be preached all you want but thats just the truth, granted that percentage is probably higher at certain schools. 
How much did representing the school/community and history/tradition mean to the players at GC last year when their numbers were really low?  Not trying to throw off on those kids or the program but its just the truth.

Although I havent been much of a bleacher creature in a long time, I hated when Burton had to change out their bleachers.  They use to have great visitors bleachers.  The replacements they purchased left a lot to be desired for their opponents fans.  Also hurts the way their field and atmosphere looks.

I went to this game two years ago, after Shelby Valley and Ridgeview played on a Thursday night, and arrived at 6:30 and was still able to get a great seat on the top row of the visiting bleachers.

Ive not ate at Clissos yet but I have faith it would be good, 4 seasons is very good and is right in the middle of town.
Depending on how much football you want Central at Lebanon has been moved to Thursday for some reason. Not as exciting of a game as U/R but its football!

Don't sleep on GW Clisso's restaurant at the Country Club, and you do not have to be a member to eat there. It's very reasonably priced and the food is outstanding. I've never had anything but a great experience there. Usually on Friday and Saturday night he has a buffet and salad bar along with menu items available. He has a line of salad dressings that are available locally that are AMAZING. If my crew was going to be in BSG, that's where I'd plan our pre-game meal would be. 

Four Seasons by far:) The Walking Taco Salad or Bacon Ranch Burger is awesome:)

Dari delite across from hardees or four seasons.

"The Spread" has been making a huge difference in high school football since the mid 2000s, defenses are really just now catching up but that type of attack is just about at its zenith. As soon as Defenses start to match speed/quickness with speed/quickness the offense will load up with big bodies and hammer those undersized box players, its inevitable. What makes it tough at the local 1A/2A/3A level is there are still a lot of old school run heavy teams, put those tall, lean middle backers and DEs in and see what happens. 
One of the things thats truly beautiful about high school football and what makes it the pinnacle of football for me is the variation you see offensively. Locally from week to week you will see Double Tights T Belly, Wing T, Jet Sweep, Shotgun 4 wide, Triple Option, I-Formation, etc. Its exciting to get to watch something different each week vs the college game(which I love) where its some variation of the spread every week with teams like New Mexico, Auburn, Oregon, etc putting their own spin on it.
 

Haysi had two 1000 yard rushers and a 2,000 - 2,500 yard passer in their last year. They were about 50/50 pass/run when the first team was in. More dangerous throwing because Coach Colley didn't care to air it out, but very balanced. This is from memory. I wouldn't swear to the numbers.

I didn’t consider that team very balanced. If it was a big game they mostly went to the air.  The last Haysi teams were the last truly balanced teams and Colley almost always had a balanced offense. As mentioned as well a couple of Richlands teams when Jennings and Johnson were toting the rock were very balanced also. 

Haysi had two 1000 yard rushers and a 2,000 - 2,500 yard passer in their last year. They were about 50/50 pass/run when the first team was in. More dangerous throwing because Coach Colley didn't care to air it out, but very balanced. This is from memory. I wouldn't swear to the numbers.

Twin Valley/Hurley 

I would do out of state games within reason. Just for the record I will post on my experiences. (Don’t read it if you don’t want.) 

Any of the Tazewell County teams playing each other. Usually no matter the records of the teams the atmosphere at the games are still exciting! 

The Pike County Bowl is this coming weekend,  always have some good games and doubleheaders but im not sure what the schedule is.   Lexington Christian is either at Pikeville or Belfry

I would suggest Graham vs Bluefield but that's a bit of a drive for you. Hopefully a close game and great game play from both teams. The place is packed out every year, great Friday Night Lights atmosphere.  There's a local mom & pop's pizza place called Pacific Pizza, prices are very reasonable & food is good; pizza is made to order & baked right in front of you. 

The Coal Bowl between Lebanon and Honaker is always fun and generally  competitive. It's at Lebanon this season, I'm expecting  a close game.  I think a lot of people are underestimating the Pioneers  so far. They will be much better  this season. I'm not saying they will be a top tier playoff team, but they might sneak in. For teams like Honaker, Eastside,  Central, VHS, Marion, Grundy and Tazwell, I wouldn't overlook  them on your schedule  or you might get a rude surprise. 

Don't know how far you're looking to travel but trips to Giles Co might not be too bad.  Narrows at Giles and Chilhowie at Narrows in back to back weeks should be fun to watch.

I'm not sure if you're interested in out of state games, but Pikeville, KY will play Mingo Central, WV in the Pike Co. Bowl August 30th. I don't see how that game isn't a barn burner to be honest.

If you catch any Richlands home games, I would give Bearded Moose a try. Blues will have some good home matchups including Graham. 

If you want non-Ridgeview games.
Graham/Bluefield
Union/Richlands
Union/Graham
Union/Paintsville
Union/Abingdon
Richlands/Graham
Richlands/Radford
Richlands/Abingdon
Burton/Eastside has been a competitive game.
Abingdon/Tenn High
Abingdon/Pulaski
Gate City/Lee or Central - Those are competitive and can be intense

If want do some traveling. Bluefield vs Graham is game to see. 

The white isn’t bad, but I like the silver better. 

Another thing an a lot of us were talking at Battles media day is travel ball football, it has killed little league now starting to take its toll on football, rec football is gone. The league here we travel all the way to Pigeon Forge, then to Ridgeview an Union. A lot of kids parents can not make trips like that either because of work or maybe a car that might not make the trip so the kids cant play. That was brought up an we were told that parents had plenty of time to work out something, an what if their child gets hurt far away, so the kid does not play. If we want HS football to continue we have to have the feeder program.

Beware playing KY teams in KY.  May as well spot them 14 before the snap.