Liam McPoyle

He seems happy to me. But seriously, the Cy Young is all he has left to play for this season.

This game will feature two of the best quarterbacks in 1A West. This is also two teams that will likely see each other again in the playoffs. JIB's Houston Thacker threw the ball 30 times against Union and expect more of the same Friday. Chilhowie had a few breakdowns in the secondary last week against Marion but Robinson will clean that up. Chilhowie's QB Zack Cale was already quite the talent last season, but he may be the most improved player on the team this season. His arm strength and accuracy are noticeably better over last year. The uptick in confidence and poise is enabling him to see the field better while allowing plays to develop downfield. The Raiders are much improved over last season and should be able to hang with the Warriors for a while. The quarterback play may be a toss-up but JIB cannot match the running game of Sanchez, Blevins and Company. Chilhowie 36 John Ira Burton 18

According to an employee, Duchess Dairy has been slammed since Wednesday by teams trying to place chocolate milk orders.

Abingdon Bluefield Ft. Chiswell Christiansburg Galax Virginia Lee Ridgeview Grayson Co. Graham Marion Narrows Hurley Grundy Honaker Twin Valley Chilhowie Patrick Henry Holston Thomas Walker Washington West Virginia Marshall Cal UVA Michigan Alabama Miami FSU G(s)otW Richlands-45

I don't agree with the coverage area and therefore will create my own. My new poll is: 1. IMG Academy (FL) 2. Mater Dei (CA) 3. Colquitt County (GA) Go Rush! 4. Allen (TX) 5. Maryville (TN) 6. Greeneville (TN) 7. Salem 8. Oscar Smith 9. Bluefield 10. Riverheads

Greg Sanchez, RB, Chilhowie, 4 TDs 19 carries, 160 yards, 3 rushing TDs (11, 9, 6) 1 receiving TD (21)

1. Bluefield 2. Ridgeview 3. Union 4. Richlands 5. Graham 6. Pulaski Co 7. Virginia High 8. Chilhowie 9. Galax 10. Abingdon Honorable Mention: Grayson Co , Radford

Congratulations to the Warriors! This group has made vast improvements compared to this game last year. I thought Cale played an excellent game at QB. He could always make plays with his legs, but he is much more poised and is seeing the field better this season. His arm is stronger and his accuracy has improved. The duo of Sanchez/Blevins are a load and eventually wore down the Canes defense. Martin and Branson also looked impressive tonight with some big hits. I'll stick with my earlier prediction that this team will be 12-1 when they meet Galax in the semis. My Canes looked pretty good and were able to hang with CHS through 3 quarters, though watching the wheels fall off in the 4th Q dampened my initial optimism. The defense will have to carry this team until the offense finds some consistency. This team should improve but the schedule is looking tougher than I initially thought. Medley, Reese, Hamm, Tate, Moss, and Thomas all played well on both sides of the ball.

Bristol Herald Courier Super Seven Poll (08-24-18) It virtually agrees with the consensus of the voters on SWVA Sports. BHC considers Tenn. High but not Bluefield, Pulaski Co., Galax, et al 1. Graham (3) 2. Tenn. High (1) 3. Union 4. Ridgeview 5. Richlands 6.(T) Va High 6.(T) Chilhowie Also Receiving Votes: Abingdon

Kudos to Billy Haun/VHSL for recognizing the need for an eight-man classification is imminent.

The scoreboard bulldog looks like a gator.

When I drink Duchess Chocolate Milk I just get fatter.

I forgot about Richlands being in WVVA's area. I know WCYB used to cover Richlands. I didn't know if the coverage area changed or WVVA was claiming what was theirs.

Why or Why not: Chilhowie is ranked 1. Why? Marion is actually ranked. Why? Richands isn't ranked. Why not? Abingdon isn't ranked . Why not? Neither Union nor Ridgeview is ranked at 1. Why not?

Don't get me wrong because I think Chilhowie is a really good team. They'll beat my Canes going away on Friday. And let me start by saying this is not a criticism but a genuine observation. IMHO, there is something missing about this team (and last year's) that I can't quite identify. When I think of really good CHS teams from the past (1970, 1971, 1980, 1981, 1996, 2001, 2008, and 2010), I don't see this team on the same level. The experience, talent, speed, and athleticism all seem to be there. They're not big but neither were the great teams from the past. I don't know if it's a lack of execution, physicality, mental toughness, energy... It just doesn't seem like the hard-nosed Warrior teams I'm used to seeing over the years.

Caleb Mazoff

It was a big loss for us. 6'1" 218...RB/OLB...just a sophomore this year The kid is a beast.

My Canes take a major step back this year. I don't see this game being close. Last week, Marion beat a mediocre 1A Rural Retreat team while Chilhowie hung tough against a top 2A Ridgeview team. Chilhowie 35 Marion 12

Chapel Hill High (NC), with an enrollment of 1463, cancels varsity football this season due to low turnout.

I'm no construction expert, but Sullivan County, TN has budgeted only $4.8 million to construct the following for West Ridge HS: a new football field with grandstands a track tennis courts with bleachers a baseball field a softball field a soccer field and a support building A similar complex at William Fleming was $8 million back in 2010. Bluefield is projecting $6 million for its single-field stadium. I'm envisioning West Ridge with a cinder track, wooden bleachers, tennis court lines painted on the parking lot, and a shop class constructed field house.

I agree that GW should be ranked on athleticism alone. My guess is that was an oversight. As far Chilhowie, they should have beaten GW last year. QB Cale was out and the Warriors tend to let the Maroons get in their heads. Chilhowie will easily payback my Hurricanes, avenge their loss to GW, and will have an epic battle with Virginia High. Warriors have too many weapons/experience to be stopped by JIB, Grundy, Hurley, etc.. I think CHS will be 12-1 when they host Galax in the semis.

Union Abingdon Buckhannon Upshur Ft. Chiswell Blacksburg Radford Eastside Richlands Tennessee River View Ridgeview Grayson Lebanon Chilhowie Bland Glenvar East Mont Auburn Hurley Twin Valley Patrick Henry Northwood West Greene G(s)otW Bluefield 55 Virginia 42

Insightful article. It's already happening. In 2012, the US Soccer Federation actually banned high school soccer for its Boys Developmental Academy players. We parents, wanting what is "best for our kids", will ensure that "pay to play" ultimately kills HS sports.

Leighton Vander Esch played 8-Man in high school and was a first round NFL draft pick (#19) this year. https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2018/3/4/17076704/leighton-vander-esch-cowboys-draft-lb

He's concerned about the physical toll the game took on him and others. He discusses the possible effects CTE had on his friends Junior Seau and Jovan Belcher. He's donating his brain to science and creating a documentary on the issue to help future players. I think this makes Thomas Jones an excellent role model who cares deeply about kids and the game.