rsntu88

Central should be the favorite. But I would not be surprised if Union sneaks up and snatches victory.

Fun fact: only two programs have ever beaten Powell Valley twice in one season. Those were Pennington in 1987. Also Gate City in 2003, 2008, and 2009. For Appalachia , the two programs to do it were Burton in 90, 05, and 06. Then Clintwood in 07. No team has ever beaten Union twice in same season. But unfortunately, that will probably happen.

Ah. A couple of past Pioneer District powerhouses.

The way I see it, Union came to play. Now if you pit those two teams from this season together 10 times, the edge would go to Graham. Graham may have had more talent, but Union was the better team for today. I am a Powell Valley graduate. I wish PV and Graham had played some. Those would have been some great games.

Using both teams’ performance against common opponents isn’t usually a good idea. There are a lot of variables that can come into play. But I would still put Central as the favorite. I would say Graham will be the regional favorite.

Halftime Patrick Henry-Roanoke 21, Christiansburg 21. Patriots were up 21-0 and then Christiansburg has tied up.

End of 3rd

Salem 63, Cave Spring 0 mid 3rd

That escalated

And just like that, Salem 21, Cave Spring 0

Q1, Salem 14, Cave Spring 0 Not sure which quarter but Patrick Henry-Roanoke 13, Christiansburg 0.

Well since my Rockets aren’t going to field a team for the Spring season, I will pull for Union and Salem. Union, because I in fact went to Powell Valley. Salem because they are close to Craig County.

But what if they aren’t athletes and having that problem? Craig County has 160-170 kids 9-12. Middle School has about 130 6-8. Elementary school has about 230ish K-5. This pandemic has deprived many of the structure needed to succeed.

As long as things are going well then welcome. I am willing to put it behind us all.

Craig County is not doing football this Spring due to there not being enough players. Many of the players are academically ineligible.

That.....was crazy.

Salem is rowdy. Whether you move or hate them, they have a great source of support. Pulaski County has a rowdy bunch. Patrick Henry (Roanoke) has a rambunctious student section. PH in Roanoke has a classy crowd too. Giles has a great and rowdy crowd. Gate City’s crowd is usually loyal and vocal.

Prayers.

I say own up to the issue. They used illegal cleats. Would it have made a difference? Not entirely sure. Doesn’t change the fact that it’s illegal. Richlands will forever have that controversy on them. Since they were found out, nobody will ever mention that season without the cleats. Is it time for Salem people to move on? Way past. But acknowledging what happened is just the reality. No need for Richlands people to be defensive.

One thing that hurts it is the lack of attention that Richmond gives them. Hell, I live 3 hours from Richmond and just under 3 hours from Charleston. Craig County borders on SWVA and the Virginia Highlands. Richmond would dump the part of the state from Bath County to Lee if they could.

Well there’s those fans. I can certainly understand it if they were on the 92 team. Once Richlands was found out, they probably felt cheated out of something they worked hard for. If they were students during that time and not on the team then they may feel that their classmates got cheated. Not saying the Richlands players cheated. From what I gather, it wasn’t the fault of the players. That cleatgate was on Richlands’ coach. It probably didn’t make a difference. But the Richlands players on that team now have the asterisk on the trophy they won. Most Salem fans I see everyday do not whine about it. Why should they whine? From 1996 through today, they’ve been the cream of the crop in the Roanoke Valley. 9 state championships in 21 years.

I encounter Salem fans everyday. I ask them about the cleats. Most of them shrug their shoulders and say oh well. Parry McCluer? Those people are rude.

Yeah. Is Giles supposed to be any better if there’s even a football season?

Very much so

I know. Most of the Salem fans I encounter everyday are generally pleasant. Most of them I have met don’t get triggered at the mention of Richlands.