RadCat

On 6/6/2025 at 9:50 AM, tornado99 said:

Thanks for this insight. I appreciate the details. I think that this description goes a long way to both explain the typical pattern and formula of success in especially smaller schools (Class 1 and 2). 
I think you illustrate that the earlier results explain the base talent (the floor), and the addition of talent (transfers) the ceiling (state titles). 
From what I recall, the Radford teams you speak of were very good with Baylor, Prileou, Rupe, etc. My memory after they graduated, Clark was really the straw that stirred the drink for a possibly slightly less talented team that won the title. Locally, that talented Honaker team of a couple years back was certainly helped by 2 former Richlands players. The talented G-men teams that won it all, would certainly have been formidable, but the additional players from WV and Bland, likely are the difference between a region title and their state championships.  While yet to win a title, the Lee-Union connection is certainly strong.
If I am wrong about the above, I apologize. 
When was the last time a team in Class 1 or 2 won a state title with its little league core?

I’m going off of pre-middle school because I know transferring during that time period is typically how many transfer without relocating once talent has been identified and they no longer are competing within community. I imagine it’s greater than 10 years, but I don’t know enough about Galax, Clintwood, George Wythe, or Gate City as my best guesses.

Thanks, again for your responses.

Yes, the 2020 Radford group was more talented in most positions vs the 2023 state champ group.  Similar number of transfers that came in but the key for 2023 was Clark.  if the 2021 team had a better QB, they might have gone all the way.   for 2023, 18 had been the QB in rec and middle school but when Clark came, 18 moved to WR and that helped them in every way.

There are a couple of examples recently in Radford.  The class of 2020/2021 had two rec teams each year and both finished with no or very few losses each year in rec.  They made the state semifinal 2018.  Probably would have made another run the next year but lost several key players to injury.  The 2023 State championship team was in the rec championships every year and won some of them.  Of course some of the good players stop playing at high school and this team was also helped with Clark transferring in.    The group that was in middle school last year had success so we will see where it leads.  With Gaither transferring away will affect them.

It definitely can translate to success but they have to stay together and have to have parents and coaches that are supportive and not divisive.   Right now I see way too many parents that are "experts" and ruin these kids attitudes. 

For sure, Radford is down.  Talent is there.  Some of it is really young.  Really feels like there is a lack of player leadership on the field.  

On 8/30/2024 at 10:51 PM, Graham32 said:

Is GW just that good or Radford just have a bad game? 

I would say GW is pretty good but Radford did not play to their talent level.  it is yet to see if the sophomore QB can figure out how to slow the game down.  the receivers and he do not have the chemistry that Clark and Kanipe had.   The lack of depth on the line definitely caused issues late in that game.   Some of the key Radford seniors did not step up and lead the team.

6 hours ago, sixcat said:

Unfortunate for Carroll County. I heard last night, they lost their 30 PPG scorer to a season ending injury a few minutes into the district tournament championship game against Floyd. 

Tough way for the best season in school history to end. 

Edit to add; his dad confirmed a dislocated kneecap early in the 2nd quarter against Floyd in the TRD Tournament Championship game. 

I wonder if they TRD will rethink having a district "tournament" when it really doesn't mean anything.  Carroll was a really good team and lost their best player during it.  They haven't done a tourney in years so why did they start now?

15 minutes ago, BandanaVTDavis4321 said:

OMG! The parity just doesn't end. Floyd was supposed to be the best team in 2C. Said this earlier man, a team like Lebanon could play for a state title. I know Lebanon is now done with the loss to Union, but even a team like Lebanon was that close to playing for a state title because C is equally as bad or worse than 2D, and 2D is just parity all over. Floyd actually beat Blacksburg once and beat Carroll County once and Blacksburg beat Auburn twice. That score (Floyd loss) is unbelievable.

Floyd was definitely not the team to beat in 2C.  They went to the wire twice with a very mediocre Radford team.  they only one the so-called TRD Tourney because the best Carroll player got hurt right before the half.   I imagine they got out out coached again.  

On 12/30/2023 at 9:55 AM, sixcat said:

This is the best Carroll team in years. Not a lot of size but athleticism to spare. They have a good shot at winning the TRD. 

I don't think anyone in the TRD can compete with Carroll.  Carroll has imploded in a few games the past few years with these kids but if they can keep their head straight, they will walk away with it.  

23 minutes ago, BigWinners said:

I just caught it on radio, what did he do?

he called the officials by a name that showed his narrow mind.  

On 12/9/2023 at 1:20 PM, BigWinners said:

Riverheads coming apart. Two unsportsmanlike penalties. 

the player and coaches should be embarrassed for what he did to get those penalties and get ejected.

On 12/9/2023 at 1:11 PM, breckt said:

Nope

Facebook shut down the Radford football group where she had been streaming

On 12/9/2023 at 12:19 PM, Optimal62 said:

Talbot didn’t know where he was at after that hit 

a dr on the Radford sideline said he was clearly concussed.

15 hours ago, Real Sasquatch said:

It seemed as if Radford knew what Graham was doing before they did it on Saturday.  They shifted players over to the side that Graham ran to seemingly every play.  I give credit to Radford's coach for being ultra prepared.  Graham's defense played well, I thought.  The offense didn't do enough to win that game.

Who is the O.C. for Graham now?  The play calling  this year reminded me of what they did a few years back when Dixon was the O.C.  

Graham has very strong tendencies from certain formations.  makes it easy to predict.

14 hours ago, Real Sasquatch said:

Yeah, I got there right at kickoff and the Radford Crowd was about 3/4 of the Graham crowd.  

Yall do realize the home side bleachers go endzone to endzone and the visitor side goes 15 to 15.  Graham was about 30 yards short.  lol

On 12/3/2023 at 11:58 AM, BandanaVTDavis4321 said:

Anybody ever ponder the question about Crist in that.....

We thought it was all Crist, but maybe it wasn't Crist after all. Maybe it was just Virginia High because the place has been pretty much unwinnable for decades, regardless of who the coach is.  For those who haven't pondered this question, it might be time to start giving it some consideration.

This!  I read all season about how he was a bad coach and Radford may lose in the finals but he is a good coach.  I questioned hiring a coach with a losing record but look what he has done.  We could only field a JV or middle school team and now we have enough for both.  He is building and growing a program in a sport that is dying.  The kids really respond to him.  I think it's time to end the personal attacks.  

On 12/2/2023 at 2:28 PM, Westisthebest said:

Graham dbs nowhere near these receivers. Could get ugly

Graham DB nearly tackled #18 on the stop and go

On 12/2/2023 at 1:49 PM, Real Sasquatch said:

Graham fans outnumber Radford fans here in CBurg today.

and that wasn't true.  lol

49 minutes ago, GHS89 said:

In watching some of the Radford game what struck me was Clark often had all day to stand there and pass with what looked like a field full of receivers.   Someone has to get to him to beat him.  Make them pull people in for protection.  You can’t let him stand around back there all day.  

We have seen teams try to put pressure and then they have no one to prevent big runs and then we have seen teams try to contain him and he picks them apart with the receivers.  I also think his arm strength surprises players.  They are not used to see throws so deep.  He can easily throw 50 yards in the air while scrambling.

32 minutes ago, Graham32 said:

No offense to James River but I think Graham's middle school would look phenomenal against them. 

they have had lots of injuries and are on their third or fourth string QB.  Most of the players are underclassmen.  Just a tough situation for them.

On 9/28/2023 at 1:22 PM, BandanaVTDavis4321 said:

Fisher will do well, but there's going to be a drop off.  Odds are, Radford doesn't stay the same with Cormany leaving and the transfers, and I'm guessing Clark will also not play basketball again his senior year in order to focus on football, but could be wrong about that.  

It will be interesting to see.  This year will be a stuggle because of losing Gavin and Kelly but the pipeline is strong.  Ben is behind many of the concepts that are run by Radford.  The question is can he be a game coach and make adjustments and calls in close games.

Ben Fisher is officially being announced as head coach of Radford today.

16 hours ago, memorex said:

Due to lack of numbers they have ended their season prematurely.

They still show 4 games on the schedule and 2 days ago the coach sent out a notice for a game this week against Alleghany.  Are you sure on your source?  I know the AD isn't great at updating the website but the coach hasn't sent that out yet.

6 hours ago, BandanaVTDavis4321 said:

He was last week's Roanoke Times Player of the Week.  In 3 games this year, he has 14 TD's (8 rushing and 6 passing).  BVM Sports Ranks him the number 4 QB in the State of Virginia.  Offers so far are from Old Dominion, Elon, Maine, VMI.  Has interest (close to getting an offer) from Marshall, ECU, Coastal, Liberty, JMU) and has some interest from Wake and NC State.

he has a PWO from Va Tech also.  My guess is he will be either a receiver or on defense at the next level.  he is unguardable as a receiver in high school.  Radford has put him at receiver once and I'm sure they will do it more.

On 9/6/2023 at 5:35 AM, Pioneer said:

Would love it if Virginia High pulled an upset, but it's unlikely. Without Radfords QB it would be close. If it only came down to coaching,  Virginia High wins.

Patterson > Crist

Radford 35 - only because of talent,  not coaching.  

VHS 14- improving every game,  but need to find an identity on offense and be able to pass some to keep defenses honest. 

I disagree.  I saw an undisciplined and unprepared team lose to Radford.  

Players have been told that Rick Cormany has officially retired.   They didn't say Ben Fisher was the new coach but I'm sure it will be him.  

On 8/26/2023 at 10:05 AM, gwloyal said:

We couldn't get the pass rush we did on Clark last year and the kid just had a monster night. He looked fantastic, and we didn't have an answer. But it wasn't a good night for us all around.....we couldn't get out of our own way.  But that's why I'll always love opening with Radford, even years when they thump us just like they did last night. There's always a clear understanding of who we can depend on, where our trouble spots lie, and what we need to clean up. 

Never did catch why no one could sit on the visitor side lol! I couldn't make it to the game and had to resort to NFHS lol. 

It's a mess left by our former superintendent.  Basically the bleachers are deteriorating.  They were last refurbished in the 1990s.  the construction to replace them was supposed to start of the summer but they are still waiting on the bleachers to arrive.  they were okay for soccer and graduation but apparently not for football.  The story is longer but lets just say the lawyers are making the decisions.