From the looks of what I saw yesterday, the wing T may be ahead of us Friday night. #44, #45, #3 in the back field with #35 as the motion man.
No offense to you or 45 or 3, but again, this speaks to the problem. 45 and 3 may run through a wall and be the greatest hardworking kids around. But again, I didn't write #45 or #3, I wrote, #44 as in Johnson. That's it, no others, Just 44. Get the kid the ball and stop trying to show the local natives how "diverse or deep" you are in the running game with 45 or 3, and stop trying to show the natives how "advanced your offense is" with the ignorant passing plays that kills your drives. Why ignorant? You have a physical, big, and strong offensive line and you have an absolute beast at 44 that should have been carrying the football since his sophomore year, and HE is the most talented football player on your team, and HE needs the ball 20 times per games. Wing T is great, but just go traditional set or power eye and force people to stop #44 with 2 blockers in front of him, and if you lose, then you lose, but this gives you the best chance to win. You are not going to dink and duck and "finesse" Union with a short passing game and win. You don't have the athletes at WR or the QB that is consistently accurate enough to do so. RUN the ball with 44.
It shows both. Bottom line is this...........a coach will coach his or her way to eventual success or the coach will coach his or her way to lack of success, IF....again....IF.....one more time....IF enough time is given to get a valid statistical sample. 3 years, in my opinion, is enough for a High School Coach to show improvement and show signs of "turning it around" or "getting worse." I believe this and I've always said on this board that every High School Coach should get 3 years. That includes Akers. I also think he will have another year at Gate City and this will be the year that makes him or breaks him (2018). The talent is down some, and if he turns it around, he will stay, but if he does not turn it around, he will be gone. In my opinion, he does not turn it around and is gone about 12 months from this posting.
Understand this one key component that makes it tough in SWVA. A Head Coach does not get to pick his assistants 100%. When I write 100%, I mean.....he doesn't say I want A, B, C, and D, and these folks will be PAID. This means, he would need a spot for Coach A who is an English Teacher, or Coach B who is a Phy Ed Teacher, or Coach C who is a Biology-Science Teacher, and the school board simply accommodates or fills the spot for 3 or so assistants and pays them. This is not just SWVA, but for most of the country. At larger schools, especially in the South, the above actually happens. Therefore, if the Head Coach wants his assistants (Coaches A, B, C, and D) there is a high likelihood that only Coach A gets a job and is paid at the school, and the rest would have to be volunteer. Well, with the economy in SWVA, how many can afford to commit their time and not get paid? It's the same across most of the country, unless its the South, or it's a huge school and football power such as in Texas or larger cities in the US that has boosters that will simply give 50K per year to the "unpaid assistants."
What is my point with all of the above? In SWVA or any small school, you really, really, really, really, better have a Head Coach like the man in Richlands that knows what he is doing and can "coach up" his assistants, and the importance of hiring the right guy truly means a huge difference in success (outcomes) compared to the other local-small schools in which you compete.
Does he play Defensive Back or Running Back or Wide Receiver? These are the areas where Richlands is down a bit from years past. The front 7 is fine, but the defensive backfield can't cover like years past, and the WR's don't get the separation like years past. Richlands has the size and should go ground and pound. I know it's not in Mance's nature, but this would benefit the Blues offensively more than any other options with the talent present. One other thing, 44 is a natural beast. If 44 gets 20 carries against Union, it will be a ballgame in the 4th quarter, watch and see. The problem is, Mance is throwing the ball on 2nd and 6 or 2nd and 7, only to have an incompletion, then a 3rd and long. Richlands needs to run the ball with 44 with that big line, and just do something radically different or counterintuitive to which Mance is accustomed to over the years. That's their best chance at beating Union.
Let’s go back to Week 1. Say Graham doesn’t fumble, and beats Bluefield 21-17. Who’s the favorite now? I think people are putting way too much stock into the “1” in Graham’s 9-1 mark. But for a Week 1 goal line fumble, Graham would have the best win over any other school in SWVA, hands down, argument over.
These teams are almost dead even...the best D in the region (not state) against the best O in the region (not state), and I’d be floored if the score was more than 1 score either way.
In my opinion, Graham still does have the best win this season in SWVA with the Giles win.
I hope Ridgeview wins. It's going to be a close game because Galax was rolling and beat Fort Chiswell about as bad as Graham did, and later on, Grayson beats Galax, so Grayson has to be pretty good, but I know Ridgeview is also having seen them. I give the home team the edge and think Ridgeview wins it close. I also think Ridgeview is a better matchup for Graham than Grayson. Ridgeview is a bit more powerful and will be able to kill a little more clock against Graham and make it closer than what Grayson can. Grayson has a great D, but it doesn't matter. Graham's going to get 21 points from sheer athleticism and speed alone, even if they have not one sustained drive down the field, and Grayson will not be able to move the ball on Graham. I got Ridgeview winning it closely, and they are a slightly better matchup for Graham in my opinion than Grayson is.
So what's the solution? Put just 4 in each region and 8 win teams don't make it in?
Bingo, but split the middle between 4 and 8, and for Classifications 1 through 4, allow 6 teams per region in the playoffs with the 1 and 2 seeds getting first round byes. For Divisions 5 and 6 of which you have more teams, allow the current 8 teams in the playoffs. The concern is error on the side of safety. Kind of like our criminal justice system. We know there are many guilty that will walk, but there are much, much less not-guilty that get falsely convicted. The same with the playoffs. we are worried far more about a deserving team being "falsely convicted" (left out of the playoffs) than we are a non-deserving team making the playoffs (guilty, but not convicted).
We don't need 8 teams to make it in per region to be sure a playoff deserving team does not get left out. We only need 6 to do that. Richlands begs the question and challenges the above because of their schedule, but I think Richlands situation could be fixed with a better power-ranking system of which they would have rightfully finished 6th and ahead of Battle and Grayson because of the strength of their schedule. Therefore, I think the solution is not making it 8 teams, but the solution is giving more weight to strength of schedule and the power ranking system being improved to place more weight on strength of schedule.
You said VT was a better program than 12/16 SEC schools and listed Bama, Auburn, LSU and UF.
Ole Miss played in a huge bowl game last year, MSU was ranked #1 with Dak, look at success TAMU had w Manziel, etc... You're underrating some SEC programs.
I said Bama, Auburn ,LSU, UF, are the beasts (multiple titles since 1989). But, never wrote VT was better than UGA as a program. I argue they are there with Florida and LSU right now. In your attempt to discredit and argue with me (which is your true intent and not a rational discussion), read the post prior to thinking "ya got me." The 4 programs clearly better than VT now are Bama, Auburn, Georgia, and still LSU. The other 12, Tech is as good as or better right now. A and M and Tech had a series 15/yrs ago. Texh won both games. Miss St has been a less than average program other than the Prescott years, and no, I'm not underestimating the SEC. Reread the post again. The SEC is the best conference and I pointed that out. The flaw you make is.....because the SEC is the best conference, then automatically, every team must be a better program than VT, and this is a false argument. The point of my post suggests Tech is certainly better than some SEC schools.
As for Appo, their sophomore running back is getting major D1looks. He's D1. As for Appo, I've watched about 2 hours of film on them this year. They are still the best AA team in 2017. Union or Graham will find that out in game four.
So? Union has one kid going to most likely VT after being recruited by schools like Clemson and UGA, and there are 2-3 others capable of playing at the FCS level.
You obviously haven't saw Appo in 2017 compared to 2016. Still very good but not like last season. Graham has a kid recruited by Mich State and other P5 schools, and Vineyard and a couple more could play at same level of Scruggs.
Both Union and Graham are led by two kids that are college bound at FBS/FCS level. Moot point.
Appo has 3-4 others with potential for FCS level and a RB who will play FBS as well. It's not a moot point because they dominated Union last year and have won two in a row, and are big and fast across the line. Because they are not as good as last year doesn't mean they still aren't better than everyone else again. They are. They just aren't better than everyone else by 40+ points like last year. When its all done in Salem, Appo will be a 3 time state champ.
He will be wise in choosing any SEC Program. VT is always gonna be a wannabe.
No offense but your words....."any SEC Program" and "VT is always gonna be a wannabe."
Missouri, South Carolina, Kentucky, Vanderbilt, Texas A and M, Mississippi, Miss State, Arkansas<-----which of these 8 have won a title since 1977 (40 years)? Zero
Tennessee, Florida, Bama, Auburn, Georgia, LSU all have titles in last 40 years. LSU, Auburn, Florida, and Bama being the true beasts. The SEC is still the best conference in my opinion, but the first 8 teams I listed are not better programs than Virginia Tech, and one could argue VT is on the level of Tennessee and Auburn right now. What I'm saying is....VT is still likely a better program than 10 of the 16 SEC schools, and maybe, maybe...12 of the 16 SEC schools at this point in time. Therefore, if VT is a true wannabe, so are 10-12 other SEC schools. He can certainly make the NFL (be noticed and drafted and national TV exposure) by playing at Virginia Tech.
Scoring summary and team stats from Marion vs Graham (From BHC)
G - Gray 13 pass from Allen (Curto kick)
G - Lester 43 run (Curto kick) (Lester with 123 rushing yds and 1 TD for game)
M - Ford 7 run (Leonard kick) ( Ford 169 yards on 23 carries and 1 TD for game)
G - Allen 1 run (kick failed)
G - Cooke 65 punt return (Curto kick)
M - Wyatt 8 run (Leonard kick)
G - Curto 24FG
M - Wyatt 2 run (Vance pass from Wyatt)
Team Stats:
First downs - M 16, G 11
Rushes-Yards - M 37-194, G 37-175
Passing Yards - M - 57, G 61
C-A-I - M 6-18-1, G 9-15-0
Fumbles-Lost - M 3-2, G 3-0
Penalties-Yards - M 1-8, G 3-35
Punts-Avg - M 4-40, G 42.8
One of two or three things. Not a good show from Graham or a great show from Marion, or probably a combo of both. I saw the score of this game and was surprised and felt confident without looking at the stats, Graham would have turned over 3 or 4 times and outgained Marion by at least 100 yds of total offense. Well, when looking at it with Graham 0 turnovers and Marion 3, and Marion actually outgaining Graham, that immediately hints to one thought (don't know, I didn't see it) but........Marions lineplay bested Graham's lineplay, and that is not a good sign for Graham with what is likely a showdown with Union in week 3, because however good Marion is on the Line (and they are good, I watched them), they are not as good as Union (watched them also beat Gate City bad).
Appo appears to have a very good program but they don't have the same personel as last year. Things change from one year to the next. I think there are 5/6 teams that could beat them but by me saying that, they are top dog until proven other wise.
I know they have the senior QB back who is going to Liberty (FCS) and a proven winner of titles as a sophomore and junior starter at QB, and another kid I think named Graves on defense who is going to NC State. They can be beat, but it will take a monumental task and near perfect game for a team like Union or Graham to beat em, and it will take a poor game from Appomattox with lots of turnovers. I just don't see it happening with those 2 senior college bound guys leading the show at Appomattox. They likely aren't going to lay a goose egg in a state-semi final or state final game, and that spells trouble for Union or Graham or Giles in their own region.
I hope everyone picks against the Bears. Keep them motivated. Richlands is a team everyone was worried about playing. Union is the team no one wants to play. Bring on the doubt my friends.
I'm going to go ahead and pick against the Bears......against Appomattox in game 4. Giles may pull something off against Appomattox in that region, but it's unlikely. Union is going to likely face that brick-wall and run into Appomattox. The outcome will be the same as last year with the Bears in defeat, but it won't be a 40 something to zilch thrashing, but it will be an easy respectable win for Appomattox, even if it's at Big Stone Gap. Against Richlands, I think the Bears beat em up pretty good.
Gate City is fully primed for a lengthy run of being Tazewell, Jr. I don’t wish that upon the kids, but goodness, fans like you deserve it, tenfold.
I would have said the same about Graham a few years ago, but things can change quickly. If they can change that quickly for Graham, then certainly they can change at Great City.
................in your opinion. Nice opinionated post UVA. I disagree with your opinion. Tazewell Jr, lol. GC has won before, so that's not possible. The Gate will be good on the field again. It will not take long.
Abingdon will roll GC next year. Abingdon is only graduating 14 seniors and and will have 20+ seniors next season. Now in 2019 GC may make a run at AHS as they will be short on upperclassmen then but if GC is in the 3 year plan to get back to "what it once was", They may not beat the Falcons then either. Lee and Central may be toss ups and possibly South if they stayed on the schedule
With the right staff and leadership, the Gate will handle the Falcons in 2019 just like we have for many, many times going back decades, and that's regardless of how many seniors Abingdon returns. Time will tell.
I'm hopeful Akers gets another year at GC. I am a fan of all coaches getting 3 years. I'm hopeful our AD is removed. He needs replaced immediately. As for GC and turning it around, I've read things like Dumpster Fire and "Jesus being unable to resurrect" GC's program in this thread, etc. Incredibly, these 2 folks have some Tazewell connections. LOL. That's kind of like getting knocked out, then getting up and saying, "I will kick your a**." Gate City will be turned around because it's Gate City. Winning, tradition and Gate City go hand in hand, and if it can be turned around by Graham, it can be turned around by Gate City. Now, if one wishes to talk about a dumpster fire or not being able to resurrect a program, then the Bulldogs of Tazewell come first to mind. Just sayin...... The Gate will be great again and soon, we will have a solid and proven coach at the helm to allow us to challenge for yet another, state title.
Bearcats have really came on this yr and improved, but I don't think it's close at Richlands. Richlands is playing to get in the playoffs, and pride and tradition are on the line. They will be charged up. I think Richlands will win it by 21 or more pts. The win by VH over Marion was impressive, even if some feel Marion's undefeated record may have overestimated them, but they are still a good team and VH beat a good football team last night.
Grayson will lose, so it comes down to Richlands handling business against V. High. Galax is rolling now. I like the idea of the linebacker #44 in the backfield. He's their best overall player, and he needs touches. Richlands, if they would go to a heavy run oriented power game with a very powerful guy like 44, they may make thing interesting against Union or Graham in the first round, assuming Richlands gets in.
As long at GC takes care of business tonight, I don't care if they fire their coach, run him out of town with torches, or burn him at the stake come Saturday.
I hope you are not disappointed Union_Fan, but its going to be an uphill battle for GC to win this one. As for Akers, I'm in the minority probably, in that I feel Akers should be given another year. I think all coaches still need some time, and he deserves one more year, even if 0-10 or 1-9. After that, I'd it doesn't work out, JH is a good option, but others out there are also potential next HC at GC. Well be fine, but it will take a bit, 2-3 yrs.
Clarification requested: mind, spirit, or presence on this board?
Yes, I agree, Gate City will be able to go out and get a solid proven coach because of our past success as a program and great tradition. Hopefully we can turn it around after the Central Game. I got Central winning by 7.
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Union vs. Richlands rematch
in SWVA Football
Posted
No offense to you or 45 or 3, but again, this speaks to the problem. 45 and 3 may run through a wall and be the greatest hardworking kids around. But again, I didn't write #45 or #3, I wrote, #44 as in Johnson. That's it, no others, Just 44. Get the kid the ball and stop trying to show the local natives how "diverse or deep" you are in the running game with 45 or 3, and stop trying to show the natives how "advanced your offense is" with the ignorant passing plays that kills your drives. Why ignorant? You have a physical, big, and strong offensive line and you have an absolute beast at 44 that should have been carrying the football since his sophomore year, and HE is the most talented football player on your team, and HE needs the ball 20 times per games. Wing T is great, but just go traditional set or power eye and force people to stop #44 with 2 blockers in front of him, and if you lose, then you lose, but this gives you the best chance to win. You are not going to dink and duck and "finesse" Union with a short passing game and win. You don't have the athletes at WR or the QB that is consistently accurate enough to do so. RUN the ball with 44.