The_Barefoot_Kicker

Did you guys know that the super bowl last year was actually played on January 18, 2015 between the Packers and the Seahawks?

Appomattox had a tragic community story, but that same community rallied around their high school football team and used their success to get through and overcome that tragedy. That's what makes HS football so great. We, in SWVA, have known about this ability for a LONG time. Sometimes, in larger areas, that have more to offer for entertainment, the local HS and the kids that walk its halls become an afterthought.
 
To think that those same stands that were overflowing this season sat virtually empty against Lee High last year is proof that Appomattox gets it the same way we do down here. At least for this season. The article by Jim Sacco in the BHC about Union was awesome, and reminded me of why I go to every game and why I sat in my seat until the Clarke Co scoreboard read 00:00. Those kids deserved it. It's a symbiotic relationship between our communities and our high schools. We support them, cheer for them, and build them up. They, in turn, feed off that energy and use it to learn lessons that will teach them forever.
 
No doubt I was secretly hoping that the Eagles would win yesterday so that I could say Union's only loss came to the state champions. It may have lessened the sting of defeat a little, but to get caught up in if's, and's, and but's doesn't change a thing nor does it predict possible outcomes in HS football games that were never played. They are just kids after all. Perfectly imperfect, youthful, full of energy and life, and prone to mistakes just like any other person.
 
If Appomattox were to go through their same schedule again, maybe they slip up and don't play as good each week. Maybe they lose a game or two. Maybe they don't make it to Salem. Life doesn't give us many second chances, and Appomattox made the best of their chances week in and week out. They didn't need a second shot at anyone. They won each game and took care of business. THEY made it to Salem, and they didn't play Union, Glenvar, Richlands, or Buckingham. They played Clarke Co. and they won. Congratulations Appomattox on a great season and your first State Championship!

Well now, I was at the championship game yesterday.  Appomattox was no doubt the better team but the score is no where close to indicative of what the game was actually like.  It was a close game throughout.  The score was 14-6 starting the 4th quarter.  Appo stretched it out with a late score and 2 pick sixes within a couple of minutes when Clarke was in desperation mode.  It was not like a "running clock in the second half" type of game if you know what I mean. 
 
Appo was clearly prepared to stop the Clarke ground game and had the athletes to do it.  Every time it appeared a Clarke RB had room to run, one of those Appo LBs caught them from behind.  But who knows how those runs would have been defended by other teams? 
 
Clarke, Union, Richlands or whoever may have been the 2nd best team this year but who plays for second?  
 
I will say this, I found myself pulling for Clarke just because I like to be contrary for some reason and do not care for teams from the Dogwood district.  But by late in the 3rd quarter, I could not help but admire and appreciate Appomattox.  They were not your typical Dogwood team. 

Think about this for a second. If one play changes in the Appomattox game, be it the long 4th down for the TD, or Scottie catching the ball with 5 seconds left to set up a GW FG, everything changes.
 
Richlands would have went to Clarke. As great as Appomattox defense was, Richlands wasn't far below it. I firmly believe Richlands would have beaten Clarke. That also put Buffalo Gap at Union, a game that I feel Union would have won. That would have given us the Richlands Union matchup that we all wanted.
 
Crazy to think that one play here or there in a state quarterfinal can change the whole landscape, but it would have.
 
I'll stick to my guns. Appomattox won the state title on Nov. 28th.

Every time someone uses the transitive property in sports, a kitten dies.

The key thought in all of this is that if you wanted the Richlands - Appomattox game to be the state championship then don't lose to Union early in the season

Bring Back The LPD!!!

Jesus, is it me or are both 1a and 2a west super stacked.

The winning percentages of some of these schools are damned impressive!  How is it possible Powell Valley only had one sub-.500 regular season between 1969 and 2010?  That has to be one of the most impressive stats I have ever seen.

Say what you want about GC's schedule. They play one of the toughest schedules in the area year after year and don't pick cupcakes and 90% of the time have a very good record against it. 80% of the schools in the area would not have a winning record playing the same schedule. If they played a cupcake schedule like some schools do in this area they would be 5-1 or 6-0. Just ask Union who is maybe the #1 team in VA or Bluefield #2 or 3 in WV if they would like to play them again? I have the utmost respect for GC 10-0 or 0-10.

And Gate City's for that matter. I'm not bagging on either teams schedule, it just appears their are a lot of GC apologists floating around. Schools go through down years, so no shame in that but don't continue to blame a schedule. You play the teams in front of you...besides after they lost to Union, I said they would win their remaining five. Looks like I was wrong but I'm not buying the tough schedule. This whole area can be tough!

2000wave how was your run?

If they don't leave with a W....I'll run from Clintwood to gate city beside the bus naked...

If anyone sees a naked man that has a wild look in his eyes somewhere on 23 and you think "this guy is homeless and maybe has rabies", hes not and he doesent, hes fine, just return him to Clintwood.