Jags52

Graham is the clear favorite and its not close regardless of their skill positions they have the best line on both sides of the ball in the district.
2-5 could go anywhere though each team in that group has their pros and cons
Tazewell- probably has the most coming back with Harris and Creasy but until I see consistent line play out of them and some sort of run game I will still question their ability to win the big game. Very talented and high numbers compared to recent years. If anyone can knock off Graham its them IMO but they have to play a perfect game. You also have to wonder how they handle the success from the last few years. Do they have a taste of winning and they know what it takes and keep it going or do they get complacent. 
Richlands- They are a polar opposite of Tazewell. Traditional great line play but they lack a truly explosive play maker.  Webb and Simmons are gone and they are going to rely heavily on Brown and the run game. If that gets going It may be the first winning season since Mance. If not it could be another long year for big blue nation.
VA high- Can they replace the production of Stevie. For the past 4 years their offense has been put the ball in Stevie's very capable hands and get the hell out of the way and that has worked out for them. Now all the pressure falls on Brody Jones and Poku. Brody is a man child and Poku can fly can make plays to keep them in a lot of games. Defense was a weak spot for them last year if they are more sound on that side of the ball and find a run game so they can air it out they might be in good shape.
"Candy Canes"- Last few years have been a struggle but one thing that Marion has going for them that is an advantage is they did not lose a single play maker from last year. These guys also have another year to grow under their belt. New coach, new system, and maybe a new mind set. If they can build some momentum early in the season they could be dangerous. If they sweep Chilhowie, Northwood and Grayson and slipt or play Central and GC close they could be 4-1 3-2 going into the Abingdon game full of confidence and starting to gel they could surprise one of the teams above them. Or they could crash and burn who knows but this district has to potential to be very interesting the last 4 weeks with the 2-5 teams fighting for seeding or a playoff birth.  

5 paid spots for both jv and varsity it’s tough football takes a lot of time if you coach you don’t do it for the pay but it’s hard to ask someone to put in that time for nothing or even half a stipend 

I can only speak for Smyth county as far as number of stipends but they only get a head coach stipend and 4 assistance. That is at a bear minimum 1 stipend too short. Most programs like you said rely on volunteers to fill those other spots that you need to run a good program. Some school split stipends and pay under the table. Chilhowie (rumor but this is what I heard) give some coaches indoor and outdoor track stipends to fill out there 13 man coaching staff. Then you have schools like Northwood with very few male teachers in the building and have to rely on people from the community to coach which usually ends up being dads. 

There are some people involved in taking the team picture that say its "too hard" for them to tell who the kids are if they are all in numerical order regardless of class. I agree it looks so much better but sometimes its not worth the trouble. Also media day is the worst day of the year for most coaches. Having to hand out everything then take it back up, losing 30 minutes of practice time and the focus of some of your younger players on top of that. 

I’ve never put a ton of weight on scrimmages or benefit games. The players have only had 2 weeks of practice and I’ve seen teams tear it up in the scrimmage and benefit then fall flat on their face week one and vise versa. There is also very little game planning if any at all that go into these things. I do agree with you though great for coaches to see what you have but if Richlands stomps narrows or the other way around don’t run down to the Bristol casino and put your next pay check on that team

Smyth County historically has turned out good numbers. Marion 50 range, Chilhowie 45 range, Northwood 35 range. Covid lowered this number somewhat but each school seems to be bouncing back. Covid just destroyed things for awhile.

Is this football number or band numbers I’m confused

Is this football number or band numbers I’m confused

There is a lot more that goes into touches than just talent level. At the end of the day it falls on the QB most of those 5 yard outs were just teams giving Harris a 10 yard cushion so they didn’t get burnt deep so I would take that throw every day of the week. They were running full concepts away from him but that out was the right throw. We honestly don’t know what went down at practice but as much as I can’t stand J’me throwing that pitch and catch with the best athlete on the field is just stealing yards and good coaching regardless if that is his kid. It’s sad that running from things that don’t go your way has become the norm in sports.

There is a lot more that goes into touches than just talent level. At the end of the day it falls on the QB most of those 5 yard outs were just teams giving Harris a 10 yard cushion so they didn’t get burnt deep so I would take that throw every day of the week. They were running full concepts away from him but that out was the right throw. We honestly don’t know what went down at practice but as much as I can’t stand J’me throwing that pitch and catch with the best athlete on the field is just stealing yards and good coaching regardless if that is his kid. It’s sad that running from things that don’t go your way has become the norm in sports.

Jones may be getting some looks in baseball as well. He is having a great season

I think Battle does make a lot of sense in the SWD.  They would be a good fit.

I think the 2-district setup is fine.  The only thing I would change is to have John Battle merge into the SWD.

New prediction..
Castlewood goes 1-9 for 2 season then makes the playoffs for the next 3 years

Say what you want about losing seasons but I tend to look at how coaches done based on what they have to work with.  When Palmer had a few Jimmys and Joes he won games. When you dont have the better Jimmys and Joes you tend not to win no matter who you are.  Im not saying hes Lombardi, but hes a great person from all interactions I have had with him from HS til now, and wins the games he should and a few that he shouldnt.

At this stage in the game I don't think Castlewood could have found anyone better.

I just changed my predictions and now I have Marion in front of Richlands... 

So, who is it?

Northwood went with Greg Prater who stepped in as head coach the last when their last 2 coaches left in the middle of the season. The guy deserves in I mean he has been on the staff for years and has stepped up twice. With that being said I think they fumbled this hire. Nothing against Prater I am sure he will bust his tail but he isnt in the building and if your head coach in not in the building especially with football it usually doesnt work out well. I am sure there where applicants with teaching license that could have been hired and if there was not a job open then make one if you care about the success of your football program. 
As for Lebanon. I heard that they hired from with in but I havnt seen anything in the paper about it.

I think he just means the way the sports as a whole have a hard time getting support from the school system itself. Could be wrong. But I’ve seen many a Marion fan comment about those kinds of issues. 

Hell I’m all for swva teams doing well after region if it’s not my team it might as well be someone close. I have been and always will defend the Marion kids on this board god knows no one else will especially if they have a Marion icon. These boys and girls bust their ass and deserve what little praise they did especially with the cards stacked against them to succeed at Marion and I have seen it first hand. I go no personal issue with any team in the region, but I will go to bat for these kids behind this keyboard by god!

@Unchained I didn’t say anything about Union they are the favorites to win the M7 Graham will give them a good game IMO.  I just think it’s funny that @BigWinners is butt hurt over kids from the SW having a good tournament so far and the fans being proud of that. Graham is solid and a win is a win once you get to this part of the season it doesn’t matter if it’s by 1 or 40

A bad RV that won 18 games in the rugged M7 🤔 yeah I team that hasn’t won double digit games in a season in 5 years shouldn’t be proud of that at all.. come on man. Union and Graham will be a good game but don’t down play that first round

@Unchained I didn’t say anything about Union they are the favorites to win the M7 Graham will give them a good game IMO.  I just think it’s funny that @BigWinners is butt hurt over kids from the SW having a good tournament so far and the fans being proud of that. Graham is solid and a win is a win once you get to this part of the season it doesn’t matter if it’s by 1 or 40

And he is a great kid as well! very close to 1000 and that is a mark he deserves with the work he has put in. He will probably need a monster game against Union to get it but I hope he does