Agree with those as interesting matchups — would be some fun Blue-White games at Legion!
Splitting hairs, but I think you mean the ‘96 team. Even though ‘97 won the Div 3 title, I think the ‘96 team that lost to Brookville in the semis, was a more talented, dominant team — Shoe, Beasley, and some other big linemen were seniors in ‘96. Just goes to show you anything can happen in the playoffs...I say we beat Brookville 9 out of 10 times in ‘96, but Jefferson Forrest (who we beat in ‘97) probably gets us 9 out of 10 times.
You're right. I was off by a year thinking Jake and Beas graduated together, but (as usual) was wrong).
Adam and Mike were both in the RHS Class of '88. Since he was also getting quite a bit of attention from Division 1 recruiters at the time, I think the decision to hold Lallande out of that particular game was a "better safe than sorry" kind of decision. Richlands defense was pretty impressive that year (recording 7 shutouts overall) which probably factored into the game plan as well.
Observing the recruiting process around Compton in particular was fun that year. A log of big name coaches found their way into the guidance office at RHS at various times. I've also heard some amusing anecdotes related to some of the official visits he took.
Don't know why but I've always had a soft spot for defensive struggles. Among the very best games involving Richlands that I ever witnessed was the 1987 game against Gate City. Our starting quarterback (Adam Lallande) had been injured the week before in a really goofy loss to Virginia High. Donnie Hess took over and kept our playoff drive going that year with a 7-0 victory over the Blue Devils.
I was also present for the 1981 Region IV championship game between Graham and Tazewell. The G-Men won 6-3 in a classic game played in the snow at Mitchell Stadium.
I played in that game. It was a battle. Compton was on the field, but I thought LaLande graduated the year prior.
mike compton is a waste of space and human... he has destroyed PH.
That's very harsh. Granted, I've been gone for a few years, but I don't remember PH ever being anything close to successful on a perennial basis. How did he destroy it?
Good points and you are right in that a team from 1970 would struggle to deal with the athletes, formations, and play calling that weren’t around in their time. In that sense, most ‘modern’ teams would have the advantage...think ‘72 Dolphins vs a team like the ‘19 Chiefs.
The specific question for any team that played the ‘70 Blue Devils is could they load the box and actually stop what everyone knew was coming...Phil and Stan Rogers behind a big, strong offensive line (even by today’s standards).
I bleed blue, so I’ll take GC, but like you said, impossible to prove.
Always a fun conversation. Stan and Phil were amazing. I've always thought the '88 GC and '97 GC teams would have interesting matchups against the 70s group. Both of those teams (although neither was undefeated) had multiple D1 starters at OL, DL, QB (counting Shoe as a basketball) and LB.
I played in the 90's. It was a different game. The game is ridiculously physical now. With today's pace and physical play, the quality of officials is demonstrated nightly. We have had many games totaling close to 40 fouls for both teams. Not taking anything away from the talent of McClung, Ervin or Dean but the amount of free throws they got during a season would not have happened back then. If you scored 40+ then, I would guess only 5/6 would be from the line. I watched McClung quite a bit and can remember games where he was pushing 20 free throws. Not saying he wouldn't have scored other ways but it's easier to score more points when the clocks not running.
I also don't think you will see individual scoring like this happen again in Virginia now that they have started the stupid running clock rule after 30 pt l
Understand your point, but still don't agree. Two of these three kids are starting at the D1 level (and both did as freshmen). It remains to be seen how Dean will do, but if the outcomes were just a matter of poor competition, then nobody would be moving to the next level.
i just read the article, very good write up, now with that being said you have to consider that basketball in our area is on the down, teams today are not very good and teams that were bad during the 70's, 80's, 90's and early 2000 are 10 times better than most teams today, talent levels have fallen dramatically, fundamentals of the game are weak, coaching is weaker, participation is down and the overall status of the game is just horrible so that plays into a team like GC being able to dominate. i would love to see things change in the future but until LL programs get back to what they use to be i dont see it happening
Not sure I agree with that. The McClung led team was infinitely more talented than the 24–1 GC team from ‘88 whose only major college athlete was Rusty Pendleton (for football). To what other great area teams are you referring?
Last year Union had Mitchell, who had the length and athleticism to bother GC on defense. Union lacks a real scoring threat on the post without Slagle.
I don't believe GC only beat Union by 20 at GC last season, and it was not just the final score that influences my opinion. Ask the GC fans how many offensive sets they actually ran, or how much (or little) defense was played on the perimeter. They saw it. If a team throws bodies at Ervin, uses their best defender on Dean, and forces them to pass to other players, GC struggled to score. It's not rocket science.
70-56, 82-47, 67-47 according to maxpreps. Of course they are not as good without Mac, but it’s still early to be rule out this years team.
Not when you should win by 30+ if you were as good as people say. Union isn't a bad team by any means but they are without their best player by far and only have eight kids. If GC was a contender to win a state title, Union without Slagle shouldn't be able to play with team, lead after the first, within a bucket or so at the half, and GC never really pulled away.
Union did have a hot shooting night, but there's a big talent gap between the teams
It's one game. Not sure I would read into a single game that heavily. In one of the games last year, GC beat Union by 20. And it was pretty even except for the 1st quarter. 20 isn't a big jump from 15.
Zach is unbelievable, but this GC team is nowhere NEAR last year. Union, down Slagle, led for most of first quarter, it was 5-6 point game at the half, and GC only won by 15.
If Wes is 100%, there's a chance Union wins. Radford will smash GC if the other three kids don't start taking more shots
Only won by 15. Anytime I've lost by 15 I considered it a whipping.
It's gonna take a lot of patience. After these two applicants what successful coach with experience would be remotely interested in the Gate City job? It's a basketball school, they play the toughest out of district schedule in SWVA, their AD seems clueless, youth program participation is poor and they are in a conference with 2 traditional powers plus a decent 3A school. The only glimmer of hope they have is that Sullivan County consolidation provides an influx of football players. This program is nowhere what it used to be.
Agree with most of this. I know school size is a factor, but it wasn't a big of an issue in the old Highlands district (dating myself with that, I know). Those teams beat bigger schools on a routine basis.
I didn't say you weren't aware of what it takes.....I simply asked the question do you have those players coming?
Not in the next few years most likely. Little league is a mess, so if those athletes are there, they may not even participate in the sport. GC could be relevant again, but I think it's going to be a long process. Darren (or Jeremy) could get it done, but who knows if the patience will be there to afford him (or anyone else) the time to turn it around.
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Mike Compton
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Ah...wasn't really hoping to accomplish anything anyway. Just curious. Good to know. Thanks.