I don't know Coach Smith either but it's obvious what a great guy he is just from the behavior of his kids. Don't think I've ever seen a group of teenagers so well behaved.
Thanks!!! I’ve had two sons go through under him. He’s been a blessing to my family for sure!
Just curious, you from Union?
I saw this somewhere else and considered bringing a foursome. Unfortunately, I can't anytime that weekend for reasons I'm not prepared to go into in this space yet. I certainly empathize with what Coach Smith is currently going through!!!
I don't know him personally but by all accounts, he's a better person than he is a coach. Given his abilities as a coach, that speaks volumes. Wishing him and this event, the very best going forward.
If you're a golfer and would like to make a trip to Appomattox for a tee time on Sunday, August 1st they are having the "SMITH STRONG" golf tournament. Friday and Saturday are already full but there are tee times available for Sunday.
If you aren't aware Appomattox Coach, Doug Smith was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma last year and missed being on the field during the 2020 season. He has been through multiple radiation treatments, a stem cell transplant while spending a month at Duke. Bills for all of that and upcoming treatments are high as you can imagine. They are doing to golf tournament to help raise money to offset costs.
All days offer 8:00 and 1:00 tee times that are shotgun starts. The first two days are full but Sunday has a few spots left.
If you would like to enter a team of four you can contact the Appomattox Raiders Football page on Face Book or reach out to me and I will get you a number to contact. I think a team of four is around $250 and I believe there will be some pizza provided around lunch time.
Sounds like Graham and Union (I know Union was young) will be tough this upcoming year. I hope the Raiders get the chance to play one of them on December 4th (but hope it isn't in Big Stone Gap..LOL)
Never met Kevin, I've only heard things. Matt I coached with years ago and have seen when we've played Radford. Matt has always been a great guy who is very passionate about his football.
You can be "old school" and be successful. I would even say that some of these kids now days need some "old school" in their lives.
Heritage and Lord Botetout will be big games that will push them (win or lose) and make them better come playoffs. Likely to scrimmage LCA as well which took Lord Botetout to the buzzer in the state semi final in 3A.
Good luck to you and your family going forward. Pretty amazing what the Appo football team has accomplished in recent years. Dominance to say the least. I hope you continue to contribute on here. Yourself and the other Appo fans have always been classy.
Appreciated! I’ve always enjoyed the forum and getting opinions from y’all!
We’ve had some great games and I look forward to more.
Well my years as a "Raiders Football Dad" have come to an end. Kind of a big pill to swallow for sure! My oldest son graduated in 2018 and finished his years as a Raider with a 54-3 record and accumulated three championship rings along the way. My youngest son will graduate this year. He finished his years as a Raider with a 47-5 record (senior year only had 6 games) and accumulated three championship rings along the way.
As a Raider Dad over the past 6 years I've watched my boys be part of a program that has gone77-5!! What a blessing!! Even more so than the record is the fact that they got to play under Coach Smith and his staff (Coach Stephan Castello serving as interim HC this year). They pushed these kids to be their best and spent countless hours preparing to help their teams be ready to compete. Coach Smith has gone well beyond football with the boys and for many of them (mine included) is a pillar for them to have faith in for the future.
During this time I've enjoy two trips to Big Stone Gap and had the privilege of witnessing an awesome OT game against Richlands in 2015.
Less then 24 hrs away and Appomattox is on their way. The bears are patiently waiting, the park is nice and quite and the horn has a big ole giant smile on its face as it sleeps knowing it gets to scream for her bears tomorrow. The Bears have a BIG giant hurdle in front of them. Can they do it ???? Nobody thought they would make it this far. This team reminds me of the 89 Appalachia state championship team GUTS and BLOOD. They can do it I believe. It's going to take all of them. And to the people who get into the park tomorrow be loud very loud you ain't going to no funeral. Go Bears
I say it could be a classic game. Weather might play into your favor.
Yeah we will just let us know, but to get inside the gates you must have Team passes and it’s one pass one person, VHSL rules not mine, if it were up to me I would just accidentally leave the gates unattended after the 1st quarter
Yeah it was 21-7 with six to go, dunno where I got three scores. It was a very good Apppomattox team, they were a terrible matchup for Clarke. Union presented a vastly difference challenge in 2015 but couldn't keep it together in the semis. I'm not guaranteeing Union would have won, but it would have been a much better game and I feel like Union could test Appo in same way Richlands did.
I was extremely surprised to hear CC won that game. I would have lost a bet if I was a betting man.
I truly believe if Union played Clarke ten times, Union wins six. Turnovers galore, not a great defensive scheme and the kids weren't as focused and rested as they should have been. That 2015 team was very, very good in all phases but just laid an egg when it mattered most. I think there was a very good chance that Union team could have beat Appo that year and won a title. Richlands all but had them beat, up by three scores in the fourth, but the lack of a run game didn't allow them to milk the clock. Unions never had that problem lol.
Richlands was up by two scores in the fourth before the Raiders came back.
Best game I was ever at.
Remember too the Raiders handed that Clarke Co team a 42-6 loss in the state game as well.
No clue as of now. My son is a senior on the team so he has mine and my wife’s name down for ticket. I also help in setting up some of the cameras so I’ll be on the list for the team.
Generally the kids have till Wed to get their parents (or whoever’s) names in.
After that there is a list of people who have said they want a ticket and they get sold first come first serve to them.
Looking forward to the trip to BSG (not really) but....glad we have the chance to make it.
Raiders will be focusing squarely on the Bears this week. They know that the Bears have fully earned the right to be in this game.
Ive seen some big predictions for a lopsided score in favor of the Raiders. I am not biting on that for one second. Union is there because the have fought to play in the game.
Are the Raiders dangerous? Absolutely but.... they ain’t the Raiders of the past either.
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Appomattox Preview, Coach Smith is back.
in SWVA Football
Posted
https://www.wfxrtv.com/sports/high-school-football/friday-night-blitz-preseason-tour-appomattox-county/
Great to have Coach back with the boys!