SwvaOG

Don't think it is 100% finalized yet but some significant pieces have been decided on. Names will be released later,....probably due to current commitments that have to honor. I think everyone is curious about the DC role and who fills that. I know, I am.

Hell, I'll throw a marker down. Let's go with a +4/5 win total than last year. The following year they'll be a 6-8 win team.

This.

I'm not talking about current or last year's RIchlands staff when I say "development". Something tells me Richlands is going to start being a strong pull for QB/WR development. There are a lot of Richlands connections out there in SWVA.

Positional development. A particular coach and a particular offense. There are/were two pass-oriented offenses in SWVA.....well, add Honaker to that, so three.

Yes, Sir. As I age, Christmas means a lot more to me as I become more of a servant for others (my family particularly). It really is a shame that we can't bottle that spirit, good will and intent and apply to the rest of the year. Merry Christmas and blessings of a healthy and happy New Year for all the board......even those from Central. 😂

I think they are looking pretty good in that area.

I know most kids like the offensive side but I think his better potential is as a DB (Safety). He has the ball skills, athleticism and awareness to be a next level safety. As for WR, he has to overcome a couple of things. His straight line speed isn't there right now (maybe a 4.7 guy?) and he has to learn to get off press and separate at the top of the route. Next level DBs are threatened by a WR's ability to take the top off. If that threat doesn't exist...they will play aggressively in your hip pocket and, generally, their feet are quicker than WRs. The problem is that no one is the region plays press or aggressively at the line with their DBs so he isn't getting the reps/practice. Look at 3:04 in the film....the DB is playing outside leverage with no-one inside. If he aligns properly (inside leverage) and doesn't allow an inside release that play doesn't happen....those of the plays that don't happen at the next level. Another thing that hurts him is there just isn't a good pool of DBs to play against in the region, outside of Graham. He is getting too much soft zone coverage. He doesn't lack for confidence though. Trust me, all those flashy catches don't catch the recruiter's eyes for too long......they are looking at how crisp those breaks are and how much separation he gets at the top of the route. And they are very much wanting top end speed (4.5 and below)....at least on the outside. His strengths are catching in tight coverage/contested catches, uses his body very well to shield defenders and has good hands and good feet in space. Edit: I've got a film clip of a really good game rep of a WR (my oldest) and a DB from Mount Airy, NC battling. If you take it frame by frame it is extremely interesting. Both do an excellent job of countering each other and it is probably the best CB I've seen in high school last several years. He does a great job of staying in phase and countering jab steps. It takes a very well thrown ball to get the completion. I think the kid was being recruited by a few colleges. It shows you the disadvantage the local WR kids have by not going against well-coached and athletic DBs. I'll see if I can find the film for you technique junkies

It is overly influenced by a handful of teams and it is waaaay too biased toward winning teams. There was a kid on one of the VHSL teams that was completely embarrassed in a playoff game this year but his team went far in the playoffs. In the past I've seen really good defensive players get snubbed because they didn't have the stats due to OC's avoiding them. Happens every year. I'd love to see how the OCs and DCs vote....take the "Rah, rah" HC out of the equation. The coordinators know which kids scare them and drive gameplans.

Most transfers are relocations with one or both parents residing in the county. That's just the truth. There are exceptions. I've went into detail about this before as we looked at relocating for my eldest's senior year. We were "recruited' by 3-4 schools and all of them stated that one of the parents would need to relocate. Nothing else was said about that and all the coaches deferred to the school's principal. Money was never discussed, nor did I bring it up. Don't know what would have happened if I did to be honest. There is a lot of hyperbole around this subject. I used to be a die-hard anti-transfer guy but I have changed my view considerably. There are numerous viable reasons to transfer and there are some reasons that aren't. A QB with considerable arm talent transferring for developmental improvement is a smart decision. There are tons of kids that missed scholarship money due to playing for inept staffs and didn't see it as their duty to prepare their talented kids for next level opportunities or due to archaic offenses (QB running a single wing). As for those kids who transfer for bad reasons....that usually washes out. Sometimes both parties are the better for the parting. All I know is that the Blues are gonna draw interest, especially if they run a "fun" offense that showcases skill. For those who say you can't win with a passing offense.......Radford says you can. Ridgeview was on that path until they self imploded with the coaching change. Honaker made it to the Final Four before losing to the eventual state champs....but it was their defense that let them down...not the high flying passing offense. If the past, those talented basketball kids didn't play football....too skinny. Those kids are now WRs and DBs and are flying up and down the field. Skill and speed kill.

A couple of causes for that. He had a dedicated QB coach his Freshman year and they worked with him a lot. If you looked under the hood at the numbers, he had a great screen package that turned easy throws into long gains. Most importantly he had the following WR lineup: 6'1" (2x All State WR; playing college ball as WR); 6'3" (playing college ball as DB); 6'3" (recruited to play college ball as TE). All three could run, jump and catch. The deep ball was a HUGE part of their passing game. There was a lot of yardage and TDs that were average throws/poor throws that ended up as great catches. Those WRs graduated last year and the current coaching staff hasn't done a great job of adjusting the scheme to the new crop of WRs. So, he lost his QB coach and OC after his freshman year, after his sophomore year he lost his stud WR corps (one of the best this region has ever seen) and this past year he suffered an injury. So, he doesn't have a screen game, poor scheme adaptation for this current WR corps (more slot types) and his deep ball threats are all gone. He won't leave, he is embedded in that school but it has cost his recruitment.

I think Davis focuses on the defense and outsources the offense. I personally think DC is a tougher gig than OC as you can, to a degree, rely on athletes on offense more than D. I'm a bit more bullish on the turn-around time...noticeable improvement next year (+3/4 wins) and playoff team in two years (winning 6-7 games).

Indeed.

Pretty good take. RV is the sleeer in the M7….. they have a lot of returning talent but coaching and prep are the question marks. If Tazewell keeps building up their defense they will be tough.

New offense and talent are currently downloading. Could hear some names within the week. Alumni are stepping up in support….getting creative.

No, I said this earlier in the year when everyone was predicting a Riverheads run through 2A. When they made the finals, someone clipped it and send it back out with a laughing emoji.

Yes. I still think Graham and Ridgeview would have beat Riverheads last year. Union would have given them a tough game as well.

I stand on my previous statement: Riverheads is what you get if Central 2019-2021 played 1A. Guess who knocked off Central???? A team with speed and skill and could throw the ball and strike quickly. And I stand on my previous statement that last Riverheads wouldn't have got past Graham or Ridgeview. Welcome to 2A, great showing for their first year.

Ok, Ok, I'll spill the beans. I've accepted the position as the next HC of Richlands football. We are in the process of ironing out a few of my requests, which are: Grant me one year of playing eligibility since I didn't play my junior year. This is an unprecedented request, I'll grant that, but I think we can work it out. A weekly wad of "walking around money". We are still determining the amount. I'm not looking for a super large sum...just want to look like a baller and be able to "appreciate" my players when they perform well. We will not refer to the other Tazewell county schools by their names...simply "That Team Out East" and "That Team Further Out East". We have our graphics department on this now. The other Tazewell county teams have to provide (1) player of my choosing from each of their varsity and JV squads. The first Friday home game will always be "Hawaiian Shirt Night" perpetually. The Richlands High School Blue Tornado Marching Band will allow alumni to play every home game.....perpetually. Guest player approval. I have an extensive network of out-of-state friends whose kids are very good football players. We are looking into allowing them to come visit and play one game a year. So far, I've got a killer DT from Florida and an 6', 210lb RB/LB from Georgia scheduled for next year. Exclusive Veto rights for three plays every game. If I throw my veto flag, the play is wiped out like it never happened. You ain't breaking no big plays on me, fool! A "Leave Me The Hell Alone" card that I can present when the TCSB wants to suggest something stupid. I get to use it once a month. If, for some reason, we lose a game, I get to challenge the opposing HC to a fight on the 50 yard line. If I win, I take the win and he takes the lose. When I beat Union at BSG, their town council has to present the train horn to me, in formal fashion, the following day. I will immediately have it smelted. Make It, Take It scheduling: When I beat you, you have to come to Ernie Hicks every year until you beat me. Now, I'm realistic.....I probably won't get all of those concessions...probably about 80%. I don't promise a first year complete turn-around....probably take me 2-3 years to win our next state title. But, I promise you, We Comin'!

Except for Central. Its not all kumbaya. 😂

Old throw back ball control offense designed to get 4 yards a carry. If you watched Central during that time period and Riverheads tape, you'd see the similarities.

🤷‍♂️

I think we see a familiar name for HC (with Blues ties) and some "new blood" at the coordinator positions. By new blood I mean they don't have Richlands ties. If it goes the way I think it might, they'll be just fine and I might just have to get over there to visit more. Full disclosure: I do not have an inside connection in the hiring process. Just reading the tea leaves.

I wonder if Galax DBs show press? I think they should…it will disrupt timing and Honaker hasn’t really seen it or prepared for it. I noticed Graham came up and pressed the Union WRs on occasion. It affected them.

I know Union fans love the idea of keeping all of those WRs but hear me out. If #2 is faster and a better athlete than the JV QB, I'd go with #2. A running threat at QB just stresses the defense so much....you saw that with Anderson and you see it with O'Quin. Besides, Union just isn't going to fully commit to a 3-4 WR set. If you aren't committed to throwing it 40% of the time, you are wasting talent by having 3 or 4 good wide receivers. I still consider RV's 2021 season as the best use of a WR trio as each of those "big 3" caught over 50 balls. Unless Turner turns into Andy Reid, I just don't see it. Now, if the JV kid has good wheels and can throw it, that's a different story. But, the QB should be the most important position and #2 used to be a QB and has two years as a varsity starter. Makes sense to me.