I agree with Graham's defense. I think Graham's defense is tremendous. However I don't think their offense is as explosive as it has been in the past. Obviously Bradshaw and Fritz are terrific players but I don't see much explosion out of anyone else. I remember last year they had a few guys Lester would throw down the field too, not to mention a solid running game with Lester and Booker. I don't think their offense is as good as it has been.
Fritz and Bradshaw are two of the best in the region. But, Union is always well coached and I anticipate them having a plan to limit those two and probably forcing Blevins to throw down field. We'll see if it works.
I wouldn't be surprised if Graham won but I think it'll be a great low scoring old school style football game.
I think you can scheme Bradshaw out by putting more in coverage. Tazewell was very effective with this. However, the hard part for Union will be scheming Fritz out. Graham is young but stout up front. I don’t see Union disrupting their running game. If Fritz makes it to the 2nd level he is a different type of back. The secondary will have their hands full bringing him down. I think if Graham scores 21, it’s gets the job done.
I'm taking Union in a close one. I've watched this little "rivalry" the last few years and I think Graham has always made too many mistakes. It seems like they always have way too many unnecessary penalties while Union seems to be a very disciplined team year in and year out. If Graham has 80+ yards in penalties I think they lose.
3 practice days will also not help too much. I think Graham will be rusty, which could/will lead to more penalties, which has doomed Graham in the past against Union.
I wouldn't be surprised if this comes down to who has the ball last.
Penalties or not, Graham by 2 touchdowns. Watching Union vs Central, I think Union will struggle to move the ball against Graham’s Dline (similar to their last playoff contest). Now Graham vs the winner of Central/Tazewell will be a game.
A few people have told me now that coach Thad has went above the SWD & Region D and has appealed all the way to the VHSL...
buckle up fellas it looks like if Richlands wins today they’re going to be in the region D playoffs over Union per VHSL !!!
Good luck with that and if true, great strategy on making friends your first year. Especially since it’s highly unlikely either team gets past the first round.
I heard from a reliable source (my imagination) that they were all going to let Richland’s in until Union reminded everyone about the Blue Tornados trampling their band in 2017. All the principals started chanting “Remember the Band” and changed their vote to Union. It was the classy thing to do.
I think everbody I 2a is playing for state runner up at best....Appo should cruise to another stites title....im not sure Appo would loose if you took all 3 tazewell co teams and built one......
Appo would lose by three touchdowns. They should be favored over any Tazewell team but beating combined team is crazy. There is no team in 2A that could handle a mix of Graham and Tazewell’s lines. Not to mention you would have Webb, Bradshaw, and Jordan at wideout. Put down the pipe man, it’s to early to smoke the devils lettuce and make crazy posts.
Good News!!! So we can all quit this arguing and move on to more important things (I suggest the Middle East peace crisis)I have devised the perfect way to settle this. Since Graham is the only undefeated team they should get a spot. The final spot should be decided on the field! I propose Tazewell vs Richlands at Ernie Hicks stadium on 3/13/21. Winner takes all.
I hear what you are saying, but having more knowledge doesn't necessarily take politics out of the decisions. For example, how many people on the board have had a MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine? Probably, near 100%. How many people have worn a mask over the years to prevent them from getting MMR? I bet...zero percent. So, why are my parents still wearing a mask for Covid when both have been vaccinated? Politics is the answer. Ever wonder why people that have been vaccinated for Covid still are told to wear masks? Why weren't they told to wear a mask against MMR the past 50 years even though they were vaccinated? Politics is the answer
Easy to answer. Measles, Mumps, and Rubella isn’t a current pandemic in the US. The likely hood of catching it isn’t great even if you are unmasked and unvaccinated because of the level of vaccination in the population and their is virtually no pool of disease to spread from. The reason they still advise to mask even when vaccinated is because the vaccines were not studied to prevent infection only disease. We are just now getting data on if the vaccine prevents infection. Long story short when the vaccines rolled out there were no data of if vaccinated people get the disease and are asymptomatic. As they know more they will adjust the guidelines. They already adjusted the guidelines for COVID exposure if you are fully vaccinated.
I really don't get how Graham's o-line was able to do as well as they did. Take Meadows out of the equation. The rest of Graham's o-line was much smaller than Tazewell. I really thought this was going to be the game we seen Graham's o-line not only bend but break. Having kids that much bigger leaning on you for that long is tough.
Graham has some tough kids. Graham’s oline is well coached as well. They move Meadows around on the oline to create match ups they want. Their guards always do a great job in pulling as well. I think the other thing to keep in minds is that Graham does a good job of rotating guys in and out on the D-line. If Tazewell’s linemen are playing both ways that could explain the drop off.
I think if Tazewell and Graham meet again it’s a different game. Graham had a very young o-line playing against seniors. They seemed to get their confidence in the 2nd half. Graham’s Oline was dominant from half time on. Although Tazewell had good coverage and they schemed to take the big play away, they got no pressure. Blevins gashed them running it up the middle. I think Graham’s O-line is going to make it tough for anyone else to have success in the region for the next couple of years.
Yes very scary for sure. Graham has to replace Fitz and Blevins and thats about it. I guess that could do what they did last season with Lester and put Bradshaw at QB
The QB will be Brayden Meadows. I don’t know the difference in arm strength or accuracy, but would be an upgrade as far as running the ball. I think he has three rushing touchdowns this year.
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Graham vs Union
in SWVA Football
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The Bluefield New’s paper mentioned they are offering to seniors instead of selling to the public.