SwvaOG

This is a game where RV should work on the run as much as possible imo. Sure, RVs bread and butter is the QB and Wide Open passing game and you do what you do and get the lead, but it's games like this where you can perhaps work in more balance and get the offensive line more run blocking reps that will likely be needed at some point down the road in a big game, down inside the 10 yard line where 3 or 4 yds on the ground is needed to win the game or to put the game away.
Same with Union and Lee. Lee isn't beating Union, period. So, sure if you are Union, you do what you do and run the ball first, but a game like this could be perfect to break in the new QB and get him some short and intermediate passes building his confidence and the WRs, and getting the OL some Pass Blocking reps. A short passing game that's efficient, even if 5 to 7 passes max per game, will be needed at some point to either win a game, or to put a game away.

The guy running the offense is gone. Not sure who the OC is this year.

Richlands’ spread is morphing and I’m curious to see how it looks mid-season.  It will be more evident this year they’ll be a spread to run team as I believe they will run Brown until the wheels fall off. I’m reserving judgement until they return all their OL. Tarter is putting in the work.  That being said, Bulldogs have the better athletes and seem to be putting in the work…at least offensively.  I feel that the Blues place more of an emphasis on defense than the Dawgs and I like Richlands ability to develop and coach up good line play more than Tazewell.   I would not be shocked to see either team win this year and I hope to attend the game.  I’m also curious as to how many on this board have actually suited up and marked their helmet up with some navy blue or Kelly green?
 

At Norton:
Burton over John Battle 15-10
Patrick Henry over John Battle 27-7
Wise Central over PH 3-0
Wise Central over Burton 7-0
Observations:
PH is a big team….really good size in the trenches.  Should be a tough out in 1D.
Central’s Dline looked really disruptive. They will run QB Church quite a bit and his arm is underrated.  
Burton was scrappy and did well in two games in which they appeared over- matched. Have some speed with #4 and #7.
John Battle is much better than last year…may not show up I  W’s.  But they are more athletic and sound and showed some creativity on offense…. #3 is a scrappy baller.
 

At Norton:
Burton over John Battle 15-10
Patrick Henry over John Battle 27-7
Wise Central over PH 3-0
Wise Central over Burton 7-0
Observations:
PH is a big team….really good size in the trenches.  Should be a tough out in 1D.
Central’s Dline looked really disruptive. They will run QB Church quite a bit and his arm is underrated.  
Burton was scrappy and did well in two games in which they appeared over- matched. Have some speed with #4 and #7.
John Battle is much better than last year…may not show up I  W’s.  But they are more athletic and sound and showed some creativity on offense…. #3 is a scrappy baller.
 

I would be surprised if they didn’t show Abingdon/ Ridgeview.  Cool to see a 1A school.  Holston and Twin Springs need to pack the stands!

I would be surprised if they didn’t show Abingdon/ Ridgeview.  Cool to see a 1A school.  Holston and Twin Springs need to pack the stands!

Have to give nod to Graham until they are knocked off.  Ridgeview should be able to challenge.  Last year, RV’s running scheme was basic and not very good so I’m not sure what to think of all five of their starters returning.  They were predictable and appeared not too motivated.  They aren’t small but I just don’t know what to think about them……they are the potential weak spot on the team.  
I saw a bit of a different game last year…closer than it appeared and Gmen sweating for a half.  If Beavers’ kickoff isn’t called back, that game gets interesting….RV goes up 21-7 and I think that shakes the home team.  Additionally, everyone in the stadium knew what Graham was doing when they split Bradshaw out to the slot and what was coming when they put him in motion except RV’s defensive staff.  After that, the RV QB started to really struggle because Graham made them one dimensional.  Graham’s superior coaching (demonstrated through adjustments) was as much of that game’s outcome as the trench warfare.
I do think that RV learned some lessons from that game.  Kudos for them to come out swinging and slinging and being who they are from the first play of the game.  They struggled with that last year and it cost them potential wins at Union and against Bluefield.  They seem to know who they are this year. Let’s hope they get a rematch and we get a classic game that’s talked about for years!

RIP to George Wythe’s field…

Good write up!

Graham is the clear favorite and its not close regardless of their skill positions they have the best line on both sides of the ball in the district.
2-5 could go anywhere though each team in that group has their pros and cons
Tazewell- probably has the most coming back with Harris and Creasy but until I see consistent line play out of them and some sort of run game I will still question their ability to win the big game. Very talented and high numbers compared to recent years. If anyone can knock off Graham its them IMO but they have to play a perfect game. You also have to wonder how they handle the success from the last few years. Do they have a taste of winning and they know what it takes and keep it going or do they get complacent. 
Richlands- They are a polar opposite of Tazewell. Traditional great line play but they lack a truly explosive play maker.  Webb and Simmons are gone and they are going to rely heavily on Brown and the run game. If that gets going It may be the first winning season since Mance. If not it could be another long year for big blue nation.
VA high- Can they replace the production of Stevie. For the past 4 years their offense has been put the ball in Stevie's very capable hands and get the hell out of the way and that has worked out for them. Now all the pressure falls on Brody Jones and Poku. Brody is a man child and Poku can fly can make plays to keep them in a lot of games. Defense was a weak spot for them last year if they are more sound on that side of the ball and find a run game so they can air it out they might be in good shape.
"Candy Canes"- Last few years have been a struggle but one thing that Marion has going for them that is an advantage is they did not lose a single play maker from last year. These guys also have another year to grow under their belt. New coach, new system, and maybe a new mind set. If they can build some momentum early in the season they could be dangerous. If they sweep Chilhowie, Northwood and Grayson and slipt or play Central and GC close they could be 4-1 3-2 going into the Abingdon game full of confidence and starting to gel they could surprise one of the teams above them. Or they could crash and burn who knows but this district has to potential to be very interesting the last 4 weeks with the 2-5 teams fighting for seeding or a playoff birth.  

@BandanaVTDavis4321 I shot you an email.  Be good to grab a coke and some popcorn and catch some football Friday night.  @Ryan4VT  You're welcome to join us...but you have to buy the chili dogs.  Lol.

You forget that it was the same when Jody Fuller was ran out of town as boys coach.  All it takes is someone with more connections wanting the job.  Phillips was able to get it done then, now I would assume it’s the same with Rife.  A good team coming through and somebody thinks they know better how to use it to win.  

The scrimmage is not on the schedule of upcoming events for George Wythe on NFHS.

Help me, Union fans.  Is it normal to have 20 coaches/ assistants on the team?  I vaguely recall someone mentioning something about this a year or two ago…..remarking that it is getting ridiculous with the amount of people on the sidelines.  
 
For comparison I just checked RV and they have 10 and Central as 11.  Marion had a smaller group than that.

Marion Scarlett Hurricane 2D (Southwest)
 

Wise Central Warriors -2D (Mountain 7)
 

I heard Palmer found a way to install NiL at Graham.  Rumor is that they can pay kids $500 monthly to have their photo on the side of Tony’s squad car endorsing the local auto dealer who provided the cars.  Advertisers are lining up as we speak and NASCAR was so impressed they sent reps into Bluefield to take notes.  

I heard Palmer found a way to install NiL at Graham.  Rumor is that they can pay kids $500 monthly to have their photo on the side of Tony’s squad car endorsing the local auto dealer who provided the cars.  Advertisers are lining up as we speak and NASCAR was so impressed they sent reps into Bluefield to take notes.  

I casually met them once and had a long conversation with them.   Can see this being 100% truth.  That being said, he is a big kid with a great frame.  We will see about the motor and skill.

The size conversation reminds me of an interview Lord Botetourt head coach Jamie Harless did a few weeks ago on one of the Roanoke stations. 
"Couple of the best linemen I ever coached in my life weighed 165 pounds. It's 'cause they'd run through your mouth and come out your rear end!"
 
Edit to add a link to the video. https://www.wdbj7.com/2022/07/29/lord-botetourt-will-again-rely-solid-line-play-daleville/

I can't think of a viable reason as to why we are still talking about this

In terms of Union, “They are who we thought they were.”  They will be disciplined and well coached.  They will rush the ball and stop the ball from being rushed.  They lose a greaT physical back who could take it the distance in Lomax.  So, it’s safe to say that will drop a bit.  I bet the OLbis the same or better than last year.  They will be a tough out and I believe they will go 1-1 against Abingdon and RIdgeview.  The question will be if they have the back 4 to cover RV’s Excellent core of WRs for 60 minutes.  I don’t think they do and I think Turner knows that. That’s why I think he will blitz and mix coverages and get after O’Quinn thinking the RV Oline is suspect.  
 
I look for Union to bootleg and run the QB a lot.  They will be tough to beat and I can see a shared M7 title.  I’ve watched RV and I know that Union’s DC probably shouldn’t look at last year’s film.  Stanley won’t let them double Beavers and Cannon Hill and the Counts kid will have to be accounted for.  It should be an awesome matchup of two good teams with completely different styles.  I look forward to it.  As for the M7……I’m going with Abingdon.  I’m super duper impressed with Amburgey’s staff.

That August 13th lineup at Emory looks good.  I might had over that way to watch that.  A lot of good talent between those three teams.

Amburgey has done a great job over there, has them looking like a legit 3A team year in and year out.