SwvaOG

Are you all referring to Tazewell or Dickenson county?  
We have the same issues over here.  But when they get rid of somebody, the next family member will get the job or whoever was incompetent enough will fail upward. 

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.     

I mean I can’t counter any of that, you aren’t wrong. Except on the PI call but we won’t relitigate that lolol. 
 
I thought one of the Union playmakers had his worst game in a Bear uniform Saturday. I’m not gonna throw any kid under the bus individually but he was lackadaisical at times, avoiding contact at times and just plain out of position at times. He could have totally changed the game four separate times with just effort and it just didn’t happen. They’re all young so I’m sure it’ll get corrected but for guys like Rey and the other dogs out there giving it every ounce they got (Chandler was busting his butt every play as well, the other Andersons are high effort kids, several others) it was undoubtedly extremely frustrating. 

I’m hearing it’ll likely be 2, Bostic. Son of a coach and super athletic. I’m not sure I wouldn’t let Hall start and keep Bostic at WR where he’s so dangerous, take some lumps next year and then be primed to go in 2025 but I dunno. 

Kid is a hoss. Union will be nasty next year for sure. 

Only if: 1) Tazewell commits to defense as much as offense, coaches and athletes
2) RV gets a new coaching staff, specifically on offensive side and defensive secondary. 
 
RV returns a lot of talent, but they haven’t lacked talent the last 5-7 years.  They lack the will and drive to work year round.  Tazewell has skill but they need to get those skill players to bring it on defense as swell. And they need to keep developing that DL and OL….they made improvements in the DL

A few people bragged about Union's team speed, and it's true that this was probably the fastest overall team Union has fielded.
However, it was obvious to me and most of the Union folks on this board that Graham was faster.

Graham and Union have played 12 times. Graham has won 6, Union has won 6. 
Grahams record at Bullitt Park is 4-2. Unions record at Mitchell is 4-2. 
 
You can’t draw up a better rivalry. 

Only if: 1) Tazewell commits to defense as much as offense, coaches and athletes
2) RV gets a new coaching staff, specifically on offensive side and defensive secondary. 
 
RV returns a lot of talent, but they haven’t lacked talent the last 5-7 years.  They lack the will and drive to work year round.  Tazewell has skill but they need to get those skill players to bring it on defense as swell. And they need to keep developing that DL and OL….they made improvements in the DL

Incredible throw and catch by Anderson to Huff. Again, makes Union different in 2023. Couldn't do that in years past.

Baptist Valley Tiger til I die.  We'll see you sumbitches the 5th and 10th game of the season!

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Are you freaking kidding me?  Does this shit ever end?  If you want your kid to be QB he needs to beat out every other kid who also wants to be QB.  These dang dads/family trying to prop up their kids and ensure they never face competition or adversity is sickening. It is pervasive and if JM is going to push this shit, the next coach is already doomed.  Why does it always seem to be dads who weren't successful or talented football players?  Same shit in Dickinson County. Dads and family who couldn't hold a football correctly doing everything off the field and behind closed doors to ensure their kids get the best positions.  This is part of the reason so many locals wash out at next level....they never earned or competed for their position. 
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Let me take you way back to years gone bye.  When I played little league we had four teams, Richlands Golden Eagles, Richlands Green Waves, Cedar Bluff Blue Devils, and the Jewell Ridge Red Raiders. I played for the Red Raiders and Jim Richardson along with Ben McFall were the coaches.  Both coaches were hard working coal miners and most if not all the fathers were coal miners.  Jim Richardson had sons that played, but there was never a difference made, he treated his sons like everyone else if not even harder.  We dressed on one end of the Jewell Ridge Coal Camp, near a water tank, in the same building as a bowling alley and resturant.  We jogged from that end of camp through the camp to a hard dirt practice field on the other end of camp near a cemetery.  After practice, we would have to jog back to the dressing room, and the coaches followed in vehicles to make sure we jogged all the way.  On game day, we would all ride in the back of pickup trucks to the Old Ernie Hicks stadium for the game.  I thank God all the players had these coaches to teach us the game and to help us understand that it was just a game.  They taught fundamentally sound football, with tacking and blocking practice every day, and they demanded respect by showing all the players respect.  If the coaches we are seeing today were as tough as these two guys, I think we would see a big difference in the players that reach High School.
I know that everyone says we live in different times, and I get that somewhat, but just because we live in this time should not be a reason to throw discipline out the window and coddle young people from fear of hurting someone's feelings.  There is such a thing as tough love and that's what we received when I was young.  If you got out of line with the rules, you were strickly corrected, but in a healthy and respectful way.  My generation had our backsides warmed up many times and if we got out of line on the football field or with the coaches, we had to face our parents when we got home. Believe me, I would much rather had taken a good talking to from my coach as a good old fashion butt whipping from my parents.

I appreciate this perspective, and long for those times. Mine was somewhat different, but no less impactful. There were 5 teams: Richlands Green Wave, Richlands Redskins, Raven Crimson Tide, Cedar Bluff Blue Devils, and Baptist Valley Tigers. I was a Green Wave. Our coaches were young guys that were recent graduates. Chris Grinstead, Kelly Grinstead, and Scott Bumgarner. They taught fundamentals, and discipline. The biggest impact for me was it being an important part of a greater relationship. I learned the Lord’s Prayer, not in church, but as a result of those games or practices where it was recited, and I was embarrassed for not knowing it initially.
Some coaches probably never realize the impact made off the field.

He made some tough kids and fielded some great football teams for sure.  Not one kid spoke when he was addressing us, the respect we had for that man. You had to be tough, we played in that field after it had been cut and I remember the stalks would cut you wide open if you hit them right. Every practice started with “To the fence”.  Man, I wonder how many miles I ran down to the fence and back.  Then you’d do six inches and you’d better be “beatin’ your belly” the whole time.  Lol.
What a privilege to be coached and taught by that man.  Some serious talent played in the valley….Larry Perry, Mike Compton, Bryian Beavers, and Gary Ward to name a few. It was a unique blend of Tazewell and Richlands kids.  I wouldn’t have traded that experience for playing for anyone else, including my own family.   

Folks, when I say that I haven't seen one open competition in Dickinson County, I'm not exaggerating.  This is part of the reason kids leave the sport.  It sounds like Richlands has the same daddy ball habits.  I was fortunate enough to play for Ansil Salyers growing up.  He was a lifelong miner and tobacco farmer and coached the Baptist Valley Tigers for decades.  You wanted to be QB?  You had to beat out the 6 other kids who wanted it, too.  No favorites, no dads/uncles getting in the way.  The leagues have to get back to this. 
I'll say it again.  The varsity HC has to take more control over the youth league and middle school programs.  Prime example, my middle school team was coached by four coaches who were all teachers, were all part of the greater varsity program and had zero kids playing on the team.  We ran the same offense as varsity.  Two of those coaches were D. Palmer (current Graham DC) and Jeff Tarter.  Fast forward to RV middle school, coached by dads whose kids are the starting WRs and assisted by the starting QB's dad.  75% of the team were hold-backs and the coaches only coached this year and won't be back next year.   The offense was designed and centered around their kids.  Meanwhile the 6th and 7th grade kids just lost a year in development because the majority of the team should have been FR this year. 
It looks like this is now the new norm. 

He made some tough kids and fielded some great football teams for sure.  Not one kid spoke when he was addressing us, the respect we had for that man. You had to be tough, we played in that field after it had been cut and I remember the stalks would cut you wide open if you hit them right. Every practice started with “To the fence”.  Man, I wonder how many miles I ran down to the fence and back.  Then you’d do six inches and you’d better be “beatin’ your belly” the whole time.  Lol.
What a privilege to be coached and taught by that man.  Some serious talent played in the valley….Larry Perry, Mike Compton, Bryian Beavers, and Gary Ward to name a few. It was a unique blend of Tazewell and Richlands kids.  I wouldn’t have traded that experience for playing for anyone else, including my own family.   

I went back and watched the Tazewell/Union NFHS broadcast with the Tazewell Bulldog Radio commentary overlayed.
Good job gentlemen! I think you strike the right tone in-between fair, independent and homerism. It's a balancing act to support your team without being obnoxious, and you guys are right in the middle.
I appreciate the kind words for the Union players, fans and community. Glad you found everyone welcoming and easy to work with.
I also want to compliment you on your passion for the Tazewell community and the players. Union and Tazewell definitely have that in common!
 

This will not change in Dickenson County for a minimum of 4 more years. Especially since the entire school board and BOS was re-elected running unopposed.  
Only thing that’ll change it is if the superintendent’s husband doesn’t like what he sees in the field.  

You brought up an excellent argument about erring on the side of numbers and players developed, besides the competition factor, and that is physical maturity. So many of the early starters or incumbents benefit from early puberty and/or at the middle school level multiplying the benefits by holding back. If I kid is a late bloomer that is fundamentally sound and stays interested, he may end up being the better player senior year than the one in 7th/8th grade.

Mr. Sayers was a giant of a man.  My neighbor for years, and his kids my friends.  I can remember traveling down the valley and see the BV Tigers in the field practicing across from his house.   I have in my possession a beautiful carving of a boot he made,  given to me by his children after his death.  He and his wife were wonderful down-to-earth people.  Sadly he passed with ALS.  

Folks, when I say that I haven't seen one open competition in Dickinson County, I'm not exaggerating.  This is part of the reason kids leave the sport.  It sounds like Richlands has the same daddy ball habits.  I was fortunate enough to play for Ansil Salyers growing up.  He was a lifelong miner and tobacco farmer and coached the Baptist Valley Tigers for decades.  You wanted to be QB?  You had to beat out the 6 other kids who wanted it, too.  No favorites, no dads/uncles getting in the way.  The leagues have to get back to this. 
I'll say it again.  The varsity HC has to take more control over the youth league and middle school programs.  Prime example, my middle school team was coached by four coaches who were all teachers, were all part of the greater varsity program and had zero kids playing on the team.  We ran the same offense as varsity.  Two of those coaches were D. Palmer (current Graham DC) and Jeff Tarter.  Fast forward to RV middle school, coached by dads whose kids are the starting WRs and assisted by the starting QB's dad.  75% of the team were hold-backs and the coaches only coached this year and won't be back next year.   The offense was designed and centered around their kids.  Meanwhile the 6th and 7th grade kids just lost a year in development because the majority of the team should have been FR this year. 
It looks like this is now the new norm. 

I have Graham winning this if it was at Mitchell Stadium as I think BSG is more of home field advantage than Mitchell.  In every game I've ever played or watched at Bullit, the home team has benefitted in the balance of calls.  I can't say that about Mitchell and I've played and watched many a game there as well.  In addition, I think the turf would have helped Graham more.  I know Union fans will argue Union has a lot of speed.  Graham has just as much, if not more.  And, importantly, they get the ball into their speed guy hands more than Union does their speed guys.  This all being said, I think its a toss-up at BSG, slight favor to Union.
I like Snake as a DC and you won't catch him un-aware twice in a season; however, if there is one thing I wish he would do a bit more of is play man/press against teams that will throw.  I think he has the athletes to do it.  I would most definitely show some of it to Union. I have serious doubts that Union's WRs have been adequately coached how to get off press.  They average around 160lbs so I think you can be physical with them.  You don't have to do it every snap......just show it enough to mess with play calling.  Show it and then bail.....show zone and then move up. Additionally, if you study Union's film you'll see they have a clear preference in the route tree.  That needs to be accounted for.  I'd spy the QB and then you have to trust the DL/LB to contain Chandler.  
Union has the luxury of knowing if they stop Clements they have a very high probability of winning.  

Graham needs to play action fake off their run game.  I don't like the go four wide, in a shot-gun on obvious passing downs look.  It limits screens, mis-direction and running options.  If the G-men do that, Union plays an outside leverage stance with the CB where they can look at the QB and just bail deep.  This is why they get picks....easy picks.  Offenses don't stress them with well-designed plays.  Flood their zone....run a tight end or slot straight down the seam, run a 7 yard out and then have Clements release in the flats under the out all on the same side.   Make the CB pick who he will cover.....get his eyes and thoughts on Clements and then see how disciplined he is.  If I were Graham, I'd pull up tape from the RV @ Union game from 2021 and watch RV destroy Union with tunnel screens for 120 yards and two TDs (Tony Palmer, if you are reading this, shoot me a message if you need more film on that.  Lol).  

I don't know who wins, but I like Union's chances.  I will give some Graham offense critique and I know.....critique of offensive coaching that has played for 3 state titles in the last 5 years, lol which is already not a good take for anyone doing that, but with great compliments goes reasonable critique.  Graham needs more middle of the field stuff, short, intermediate routes.  Yes, Graham does the quick release throws to the WR and that is good, but I still...........after all these years going back to 2016, just see very, very, very little "sit down routes, curls."  I literally just don't understand why not.  Why not send a WR or RB 5 yards behind the linebackers and simply "stay,"  Just a simple sit down route, or a curl, etc, instead of 2 or 3 kids running post and flag routes.  
My opinion of this game is this.  If Graham does very little or no "skinnies" or basically, 7 yard routes in the middle of the field where the WR simply plants and waits for the ball or a simple curl/comeback route 7 yds off the ball in the middle of the field, they will lose.  You will see Union played center field on defense and Graham gets away with this in the passing game 90 plus percent of the time because they out athlete the opponent, but against Union this year, you aren't going to beat them deep like that.  It's not going to happen.  If you see Graham come out in the first quarter and they have the usual 3 guys on one play running flag routes, they are in trouble.  If you see Graham look a little bit different in the passing game as described above, it will given Union major problems and Graham will win the game.  Graham had glimpses of the short intermediate stuff against Central in the state title game and it's not foreign to them by any means, but they just don't seem to do it much.  Much of that is probably due to risk.  When you start doing passing stuff in the middle of the field at intermediate and short range, you better be darn accurate because it can be a turnover/disaster waiting to happen, but Graham is playing an opponent that requires you take chances.  You are going to have to accept that risk in order to beat Union.  Same for Union.  When you play most teams, the Bears are so good they don't have to take much risk because they are good enough to overcome the opponent.  Against Graham, they have to accept that risk and take some chances.