FootballFan67

What’s everyone’s thoughts on this. I believe Graham wins 

Graham's defense is legit! Leaps & bounds ahead of where they were this time last year, maybe as good as playoffs. 

1. Levi Forrest (Richlands)
2. Devin Lester (Graham)
3. Chance Harris (Tazewell)
I would put Adkins in there if he were in the SWD. He's obviously top of list in the Mountain 7.

1. Bluefield (22) 272
2. Graham (8) 250
3. Ridgeview 163
4. Abingdon 162
5. Radford (1) 147
6. Richlands 131
7. Union 128
8. Pulaski County 75
9. Galax 63
10. Chilhowie 46
 
Also receiving votes: Patrick Henry (43), George Wythe (16), Tazewell (12), Giles (8), John Battle (8), Marion (6), Grayson County (3), J.I. Burton (3), Virginia High (2), Honaker (1), Narrows (1)

I agree once Graham cleans up the mistakes and gel a little more they are going to be hard to beat. Tons of talent on this team. 

You guys are crazy if you think Tazewell has as much speed or more speed than Graham. IMO Graham just needs to find ways to spread around the touches because as tough a young man as Lester is he will not last the season having to carry the ball as much as he did against Bluefield. Personally I would like to see Turner carrying the ball more. They have more than enough players at the wide outs. Have Booker block for Turner and you win the states again.

Tazewell has improved and I'm so happy for their program and town. I think they give Graham the second closest game of the remaining 9 after Union. The GMen better come to play because Tazewell is big up front and very fast. I got Graham winning it 44-24. The Graham team I watched against Bluefield is the best Graham team I've seen in week one regarding talent, ability to win and be dominate, since 2000ish. Graham turned over, penalties, etc against Bluefield and I'm not denying that. What I'm getting at is, if they don't have over 100 yds in penalties and crazy turnovers, I just don't see any team in the region getting closer than 17 points. I'm only basing this by comparing Graham to other Graham teams of the past. 
Lester's health is huge. He's a Div 1 athlete and he's better as a QB than Cam Allen was, and losing him is a season changer. But if he's healthy, and they don't turn over 5 times and have over 100 penalty yds in a game, I just think they will walk into the semi's and even then, a team like Radford, Appo, or Glenvar will have a huge task. I'm saying this Not to be disrespectful to any opponent. I'm basing it on watching years of Graham football and this team is dynamic. Tazewell is clearly better and will come to win, not just compete, but man oh man, Tazewell picked a tough year to return to glory or prominence with the team Graham has this year. Graham wins handily, but not a blowout, 44-24. I got the GMen beating Union by 17 and Richlands by 21. Only my thoughts,
Go Graham, and P.S. for Coach Palmer, sorry you, your staff, and your kids had to suffer that absolute criminal act, a joke, a horrific effort of officiating Friday night. That's exactly what it was and I stand by the statement. Is it complaining, whining? Sure, whatever, so be it. It was an absolute joke and shi*show job by that crew who I hopes never works again at any level. 

I guess you forgot who Graham played last week...

I can’t see Tazewell pulling off an upset, but if they keep the same momentum from last night, then I do think they can be competitive and make it interesting for at least the first half. 

Let's just hope for a good game & no injuries for either team.  It's going to be an emotional night for both sides as Little Tony was special to members on both teams that have much respect for each other.   I'm not saying G-Men win but I think they will have a respectable showing against a tough Bluefield and kudos to them if they surprise a naysayer like yourself.

306 yards and 5TDs for Adkins tonight and we are still in the 3rd quarter 

Let’s play week 1 first!

Gate City over RIchlands robbing Mance of his 200th win...
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
...just kidding! Mance gets his 200th and rides off into the sunset at the end of this season.

My thoughts are the game will be a closer this year than last  with Graham's defense way ahead of where they were last year at the beginning of the season. Offense isn't there yet.  Bluefield is strong on both sides of the ball. I know most people are handing the game to Bluefield but I'm hoping that Graham can pull out the W. It will certainly be a hard fought contest and great atmosphere for fans. 

Gate City over RIchlands robbing Mance of his 200th win...
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
...just kidding! Mance gets his 200th and rides off into the sunset at the end of this season.

If want do some traveling. Bluefield vs Graham is game to see. 

If you want non-Ridgeview games.
Graham/Bluefield
Union/Richlands
Union/Graham
Union/Paintsville
Union/Abingdon
Richlands/Graham
Richlands/Radford
Richlands/Abingdon
Burton/Eastside has been a competitive game.
Abingdon/Tenn High
Abingdon/Pulaski
Gate City/Lee or Central - Those are competitive and can be intense

I would suggest Graham vs Bluefield but that's a bit of a drive for you. Hopefully a close game and great game play from both teams. The place is packed out every year, great Friday Night Lights atmosphere.  There's a local mom & pop's pizza place called Pacific Pizza, prices are very reasonable & food is good; pizza is made to order & baked right in front of you. 

Graham 27-0 over a much slower less athletic Cave Spring.  Graham's defense may be better than last year's. They are solid.  Rex Bradshaw and Dennis Palmer have them starting out much better than beginning of last year.  I imagine they'll adjust as they need to though as season progresses but the are tough already. It's going to be brutal for some opponents they face. Several may not make it across mid-field too many times during a game.  Offense obviously better than Cave Spring's defense but still needs some work. I think they can be formidable but it may take a two or three games to get things tightened up a bit better; hopefully, only two or three games.  Lester is fast and I think when he finds open field, he's gone.  Passing game needs accuracy though. I still say they're the team to beat in the SWD.  All of this is my opinion, others may disagree.

I am impressed thus far with the Bulldogs.  Multiple kids capable of making plays, line blocking well, the qb can run good and pass.  Nice tight spirals on most throws.  Defense looks solid with good speed and they play physical on D.  Good team.

Graham and Glenvars 2nd  teams drove down the field in their 2nd possession but both came up short.  
3rd possession for 1st teamers went with down markers.  Glenvar loses 10 yards in 3 plays and punts.  Lester scrambles for 20 on 3rd and long to pick up a first down.  Lester hits Ray for a 35 yard strike to the corner of the end zone.  XP try is good.
Graham 1st team scores 2 tds in 3 possessions, but even so, most plays looked out of synch.  If Lester had been allowed to run, he would have had several huge gainers.
Overall impression of Graham is that the defense is way ahead of where they were at this point last year. Offense is behind where they were at this point last season.  Lot of work to do.  The line held their own on both sides of the ball against an experienced Glenvar line and that is a good sign.  Not a lot of depth for Graham however and if Lester gets hurt, they are in trouble.
Glenvar is big and strong but not much speed.

2nd offensive series with starters, Lester appears to break a long one that probably would have went to the house.  Refs blew it dead apparently qbs cant be tackled in the scrimmage and somebody touched him with a fingernail, I didnt see it.   60 yard td pass to Marcus Ray on next play.  Ray showed great athleticism on the play. Cheap shot on Lester after whistle on next play and a skirmish breaks out, several players involved.  Both teams get a lecture in middle of field. Deep pass by Lester caught but blown dead, again nobody touched him. For some reasons the refs are not on the field anymore but the coaches apparently have decided to keep going.

Cheap shot by Glenvar on Grahams 2nd string qb gets Graham fired up.  First teamers back in and Glenvar ball carriers getting met in the backfield.  Isaac Dalton doing an excellent job at Defensive end.   Blanket coverage on pass plays.  Defense looked on point in their 2nd series.  Glenvar did manage 1 completion for about 12 yards in the 10 play series, a quick out.  QB scrambled for about 15. under heavy pressure, everything else went backwards in a hurry.

Offensive first series for Graham looked out of synch.  Line held up fine against Glenvar D Line. Several incomplete passes.  Ray had one run of about 10 yards.  Lester could have tucked and ran for daylight several times, looks like they are working on timing. I think they were 0-7 passing that first series. Lot of ducks flying around out there.
 
No score from either team in jv action.  Grahams 2nd team is going backwards.  Glenvars 2nd team not much better.  

Grahams D is a bit undersized against Glenvars Big O line, but held their own well.got a good push into the backfield a couple times.  Glenvar managed about 20 yards on the ground in first 10 plays and had one catch for 15 yards.