tiger2001

I’d argue that Jenkins (GC) is more correctly labeled as an APB which makes me curious about the criteria for positions (% of snaps??).  Webb and Bradshaw are slots “Z” which are still WRs,  and Harris and Beavers are the closest to a classic “X” wide receiver.  Beavers has the best hands and ball skills, IMHO with the caveat that I haven’t seen Harris yet.  I would throw underneath to Bradshaw all day long and wouldn’t send him deep.  He is absolutely lethal YAC and the toughest to D up.  Webb may be the most versatile of all of them. Union’s Jenkins is just in a very crowded WR group this season.  
 
I’d love to see some stats…that’s a big part of it.  I remember back years ago that the Bristol Herald used to keep the weekly stats for passing, rushing and receiving for the local high school teams.  I really wish they’d do that again.

Those teams were loaded with talent and then you throw in some legendary coaches and that gives you the  recipe for success that those Appalachia and Powell valley teams had  .  It’s hard for people to except that the depth level/ talent level has dropped. I know that it’s hard for teams to be balanced.  Richlands doesn’t have the horses to be balanced. Union and central are  somewhat one dimensional.  That’s why Graham , IMO is the toughest out this year in the region.  Good qb play. Good running back. Good line.  1 of the best lineman prospects in the state.  A playmaking athlete to stretch a defense , with some complimentary receivers. Not sure that anyone other than Rv has the potential to be that balanced.  I’m excluding abingdon and Haven’t watched enough of va high.  But Turner is widely regarded  in the region as a good coach.  Mance was a the same way. Maybe he did stay with the spread a season or 2 to long but nonetheless they were still relevant and always won a game or two that they weren't expected to win even during his final 3 years. 

Those teams were loaded with talent and then you throw in some legendary coaches and that gives you the  recipe for success that those Appalachia and Powell valley teams had  .  It’s hard for people to except that the depth level/ talent level has dropped. I know that it’s hard for teams to be balanced.  Richlands doesn’t have the horses to be balanced. Union and central are  somewhat one dimensional.  That’s why Graham , IMO is the toughest out this year in the region.  Good qb play. Good running back. Good line.  1 of the best lineman prospects in the state.  A playmaking athlete to stretch a defense , with some complimentary receivers. Not sure that anyone other than Rv has the potential to be that balanced.  I’m excluding abingdon and Haven’t watched enough of va high.  But Turner is widely regarded  in the region as a good coach.  Mance was a the same way. Maybe he did stay with the spread a season or 2 to long but nonetheless they were still relevant and always won a game or two that they weren't expected to win even during his final 3 years. 

Appalachia and Powell Valley have double digit combined state titles in football, Turner can't live up to that.  If it's not a title every few years then it's a failure to many Bears fans

J did a fine job at Haysi while he was there. I think the man knows how to coach, the problem just may be that Union didn't come into the season with much depth(a problem all of the Mountain 7 teams have) and have lost at least 1 key player to injury and have several playing well below 100%.
Nothing against Rhoads but you gotta remember the talent he had while DC at Union - James Mitchell, the MONSTER DT they had, Polier, and a whole bunch of others. Most of those guys only played Defense too. 

Richlands schedule was tough that year.  They were a solid 4-6 team with a very limited offense.   Mitchell didn’t have a particularly dominant playoff game until that last run .   Then he did what I’ve seen D1 high school kids do.  He made a play.  A huge one.   D1 athletes will not dominate every high school game.  Teams usually sale out to try and stop them.   But Mitchell was the difference maker.  Turner and Mance were quite possibly the best coaches in Swva for a couple years.   I don’t get the union guys bashing Turner.  From the outside it appears his teams play hard , make fewer mistakes , and his win percentage has to be as high as anyone’s in the area with comparable games under their belts.  Richlands has did well with the spread.  But if you  ask half of the fan base,  they will tell you that they were always somewhat envious of Turners offense.  

I don't have a problem with Turner like some do even though he seems to have a hard time developing a passing game with great athletes.  The problem at Union is the defensive coach not knowing what the hell he's doing.  I'd double whatever Rhodes is making at Eastside and beg him to come back

Don't remember another brain fart moment from richlands, just mitchell breaking another good run late in the 4th to go ahead.  Think interior blocked a field goal in the end also.   It was a tight game,  blues were the best 4-6 team and playing for the second time that season.  Hard to beat teams 2x. 

The collection of WR/ APB talent is off the charts this year…specifically WR.  Haven’t seen it like this before…serious skill.

340 meters per second?  

Elite straight-line speed, almost world-class, but that’s often not getting the job done when the pads go on.  Always thought Terry was the better player of the two…

Bradshaw is fastest football player, All around that I’ve watched the last few years.    Stevie Thomas , is close.  Webb and Beavers  are the 2 best route runners I’ve seen.  Va high , Graham , bluefield and Ridgeview have the biggest  collection of speed.  The football aspect of speed applies in the stop/ start and return game.  Webb and Bradshaw are lethal in that regard. .  They  probably have around 15 or 16 return  tds between them in their careers. And that’s with most teams kicking away from them. I’d say Thomas is right there with those 2.  No one should kick to them,  but occasionally they get one . Football speed is way more important on Friday nights.  Jenkins is fast but I’ve watched him twice and he doesn’t make cuts like Thomas or Bradshaw with the ball in his hands and isn’t as impressive  breaking  on the ball . Still a game changer.  Would have loved to see him on a more balanced team.   

I think some parents and schools have spent a little money on speed training for players.  It has definitely improved the last few years around here.

Not as much name recognition, but the Clements kid from Graham might be the fastest kid on the team, and not just track speed, he's up there with Bradshaw in on field-game speed.  Kid is a dart.  J. Green of Bluefield High is also blazing fast.  

Game speed: Bradshaw
Straight line: Jenkins
Two totally different things. Bradshaw may not run a better 40 than Jenkins but his ability to accelerate suddenly on the football field is top notch.  Va High may have the best collection of speed in the region, Graham right there and, after watching Bluefield the other night, so is Bluefield.  But is it game speed?   Football speed (the only speed that matters): Bradshaw.  Just my two cents.

I know some have already commented on this match up in the Week 10 updates. If Richlands somehow manages the win, it will slightly upset the Apple cart as far as playoff brackets. I figured since 2nd place in district rides on this game, it deserved its own thread. Do I think Richlands wins? Unlikely! Do I think anything is possible at this point? Absolutely! 

Park is quiet. Not the same GAME as years past. Also, I miss the train horn...there, I said it!

Well, at least one talented team is going home in the 1st round:  Graham, Union, RV, Central and Va High can’t all make it to the 2nd round.  The talent level at the skill positions for the playoffs will be amazing….best in years: Bradshaw, Webb, Thomas (and others from Va High) Jenkins, Lomax, Ethan Mullins, Beavers, Hill (RV) Harris (Tazewell)….just the WRs alone.  Has there been a more talented WR group in your memory? 

IMO both teams respect each other no matter what the record, and this game will be no different.  Injuries play a roll in this, and Richlands has gathered themselves and became hungry again, but Union should win by at least 2-td's, yet we all must remember how these two go at each other.  This game may come down to the final play as it's done for a number of years, so I'll hold my hopes out for The Blues in an upset.  Hope the injured players get better for the playoffs and wish both teams a safe game.

His halftime performances were just as good as his coaching ability! 😂

As dismal as John Battle is, the Lee/Gate City game coming up Friday night will likely decide the M7’s 4th playoff spot.  Now, I think Gate City wins by a few scores, but who could have imagined Lee being in this position 3 weeks ago, riding a 23-game losing streak?  What a rebound season for Lee, weaker competition be darned.  If Lee can somehow, some way beat Gate City, and Lee gets to 5-5, how could Carroll not be the M7’s COY?  He probably should be at 4-6, in all honesty.

If rumor's hold true, it's not a player, it's an assistant coach.  We're probably going to hear a lot of speculation going around, but I can't see a player going to Loris due to all that would involve, I mean you're talking about uprooting an entire family, so no I don't think it would be a player and Webb is staying put.  Changes will come throughout life, and those who learn to look to the future and not live in the past, will be the victor's.  Richlands has had a good run, but that doesn't mean we have to close the lid on the coffin just yet, could be an ever better run coming. IMO

Well,  we had a good run ! 
I will always be grateful for all the fun we as Blue Tornado fans have had over the last 20 years.  A lot of programs have never come close to the kind of success Richlands has had under Coach Mance !  I have a feeling that some of the fans I heard complaining about his coaching  ( it was a small minority )  will find out that you better be careful what you wish for,  sometimes wishes come true. 
Thank you Coach Mance for all you have done for our little town............you will be missed,  but I wish you and Ann all the best in your new journey !  Also a big thanks to all the other coaches on his staff over the years for all their hard work !

Best of luck to Coach Mance.  Very interested to see who takes over.   

Thanks for the info, wish coach Mance well in his new position.  Hope he is as successful there as he has been here.  God speed to him and his family.  Some of us true blue fans will be checking up on his new program and wishing for the best.