Here's an honest question. Love or hate the horns or how they are blown. Someone commented that we should let the kids decide the outcome. How many times has anyone been to a basketball game with a pep band in the gym (think JJ Kellys cracker jack box size gym). And said band plays deliberately during the opposing teams free throw attempts. Or the cheerleaders standing in front of the shooter shaking their pom poms, all the while the rest of the bleachers are being stomped on by the fans.
The way I look at it is, its a high school sporting event. Noise is inherent. Our engineer of the train horn has backed off to blowing the horn as asked. He started doing so during the second half of our Richlands game. Yes, there were some false starts. Did the horn cause it? Debatable. But doesn't most high school teams use shotgun formation and the snap is a clap? The center is watching this motion right?
So embrace the noise at The Park. It's not going to be like watching in some stadiums, like watching a funeral. It is what it is. The horns gonna blow, within the parameters given. The cowbells are gonna ring non-stop and the crowd will be electric. Good luck to GC. They are on the up and up, so I'm sure they will bring the noise. Let's play ball. At the end of the day, the kids will decide the outcome...or the occasional rouge ref that feels the need to be relevant haha.
Not stirring the pot, just adding my two cents worth.
We could just take the top two from each district and by done with it. Of course, that leads to teams playing weak schedules I suppose. It just seems too many teams get into regions that shouldn't.
I’m not opposed to going back the way it was, the top four in each region make it. But the VH$L is too worried about money.
Well, obviously, only if they have comparable records. I led in my original post with "on paper," making the assumption that none of the teams ranked below 7 were going to set the world on fire. The point I was trying to make is that a flawed system puts us in a situation where strength of schedule is the primary system for seeding as opposed to the on-field product. Not that I have any suggestions for a better system, but it's unfortunate that this is probably the best we can get.
But then again, it's all hypothetical in week 4, and when Marion loses to VA High and we have Battle, Marion, and VA all on the bubble with wins over each other, then we can have a discussion about the "broken playoff system." 😅
Wouldn’t the on field product be altered by the strength of schedule? Real question. Not stirring the pot.
The train horn backed off the second half as requested. A small air horn shouldn’t have stirred such a drink. Cowbells, band, air horns shouldn’t bother a bunch of high school kids. I played for Appy in the early 90’s. Riggs Stadium was loud and proud. I can honestly say I didn’t hear much during the games.
My point is, I think this whole thing is getting blown up by the parents. The people who don’t play, never played, or didn’t want to play. Either way, it’s high school football. The environment, the people, the rivalries. All of it makes Friday nights special. And the noise is a big part of it. So if a fan base is louder or more supportive of their team, don’t take it personal. It’s how we enjoy Friday nights. If you want to watch like a chess match or golf game so be it. That’s your prerogative. This post is not directed at any one person, team, or town. It’s meaning isn’t meant to be abrasive. In all honesty I’d like for it to be diffusing of a hot issue.
May the end of the night, regardless of noise levels, the kids will have memories from the night. The noise will only be in the background. let’s not make a mountain out of a mole hill.
All that being said, Friday at the park is going to be fun. I suspect that GC will bring their toys to play too. Game on friends.
I hope they take them seriously because this really has all the signs of a trap game. Also I haven't heard anything but why was Satterfield not playing friday
He played on special teams. Suffered a sprained wrist against LCC. He’s tough as nails, he will fully recover very soon. He’s fun to watch!
I can see Union flirting with a shutout based on gc maybe running right at us. Not saying they will. Just that our D can nasty. That said, Union by 24.
And as usual, prayers for the players safety and everyone’s travels.
That's funny....not the 15 yards but the comment. Piggybacking off that...people take things way to serious and get way to offended these days with things that should just be ignored or let roll off one's back.
Agree 100%! I loved the fact that so many graham students were wearing happy meal hats and the colors. That was good clean fun. I want to think a few years ago some central students were wearing Walmart shirts in response to the Walmart warriors name. good stuff. Anyway, the atmosphere was great. The students getting involved. The band playing. The fans cheering. Bells dining. Horns blowing🤣. What a way to spend any Friday night!
Simple, Giles losing so play the horn asll they want. Union up with tons of momentum about to open game up big time-escorted out of stadium. Gotta feeling it's gonna be loud next time.
Exactly!
16 minutes ago, Eersfan said:
You’re right Ol Dawg, that’s what makes HS football and sports in general great. Back in my day , I loved to play different opponents at their place. It was always nice to see other school’s culture, facilities , etc. There were fields that looked like they hosted a truck pull on Thursday night and some with grass like a putting green. Either way it was something that stood out to me as a player and gives me and my teammates something to talk crap about in our old age. I guarantee you that with Graham being the home team next year for the Graham -Beaver game, Bluefield fans could have a couple thousand air horns and it would just blend in with the other crowd noise. And no one would care. If the other fans air horns are too noisy , it’s only because our fans aren’t cheering enough to drown them out.
Agreed. Appy looked like that after week three of practice haha. It is what it is. Like what @Union's hammer said, Choo Choo.
I’m a Graham and Beaver fan and I wasn’t there last night. I apologize for all that . I’ve been to plenty of games at Mitchell and there have been horns and cowbells galore on both sides. Giles had air horns last week I’m pretty certain. It just seems a little over the top to enforce something as insignificant as that. I’m sure it came from complaints of having to endure it at BSG. But that’s high school football, if your fans are willing to travel that helps lessen the other teams home field advantage.
No apology needed pal. You can’t answer for others actions.
Let us not forget that, as best I know, there were no injuries to either teams players 🙏🏻
This I can totally see being an issue and saying something to someone for sure.
No room for whistles in football stands. Every town has their way of cheering for their team, be it with train horns and cowbells or just setting and golf clapping. Graham’s band played hard and loud in spite of low numbers. They played all the time during our offense being at the line. And during the winning FG. But that’s football. If you want to play in quiet, play chess. Gesh, this is high school football. We have sons, cousins and nephews playing. Cheer for them how you cheer. I was shocked at this. And like I mentioned, the timing of it was eye raising. But let this not take away from the hospitality our boys were shown. Fed them some good papa johns after the game. Nice jester guys. Much respect for that move. I’m guess the ad wasn’t involved with that move😂🤣
A question for the Union fans, did the AD really ban the air horns and was the police enforcing it at the game? I’ve heard comments made about it.
Yes sir. I was there when the three officers approached our fans with the air horn. The officer asked them to take it to their vehicle.
I spoke to the officers at halftime. They said the ad told them if he hears the horn again, he wants them escorted out. The officers had to play devils advocate. Grateful they’re we’re cool about it and only has them take the horn out.
This is happened right after we went up 27-10. Sounds like someone was butt hurt and decided to try and be somebody.
In in the end, glad it didn’t ruin a good game. Check that, a great game.
There was 3 on the play, 1 on Union and 2 on graham
That’s how I understood it. After the first flags came out, a graham player was bobbing his head and walking towards a couple of our players. I’m guessing they weren’t swapping Snapchat handles lol. That’s when the third penalty came out. I wasn’t on the field obviously so I can’t say if that was the reason. That definitely hurt the two point conversion attempt.
In an act of cowardice, the graham AD wanted a Union fan escorted out for blowing an AIR horn. Not a train horn. The officers did a solid and asked them to take it to their car.
Was really shocked. The first half of the game was awesome. Both teams are working and graham has the speed to urn as advertised.
He ain't lying about Coaching in my opinion. I've only seen them play one game tho. JIB had the Middle of the field open all night long vs RV and never took advantage of it in the passing game They har some success in the air and went away from it. I also feel like the Offense they run doesn't maximize the talents of the Athletes they have out there. If I'm playing Rav im Slinging the ball all over the field and making defend the passing game. They arent the best at playing in space either on D
I don't doubt that one bit. I've never been a fan of the former coaches. I feel like this bunch may be somewhat of an upgrade.
This young man has had an amazing start! No question. But Ridgeview has yet to play anyone that is a traditional power. I mean no offense to Central with that. This years team may very well be the best they have ever had. If Adkins can put those numbers up against Abingdon and Union, then hold the phone because he could really make alot of noise. Looking forward to when we play them. But for now, I'm ready to head to WV and see what Mr Lester and co do this year.
Burton is probably one of the most talented team in the area. Coaching as been the down fall for the first 2 games.
Im not drinking this Kool-aid. Sorry pal. They have a couple solid players. But I don't think they have a more talented roster than alot of teams. I'm no Burton fan, but they layed the lumber to a very bad Lee High team.
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Week 5 updates.
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Took our foot off the gas too soon. Trying to test the playbook second qtr. let gc get some fire in their bellies.