SwvaOG

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.

8/13 10:00 AM
Bluefield will be scrimmaging Abingdon and VA High at Emory & Henry
8/19 6:00 PM
Bluefield will be scrimmaging Jefferson Forest & Lord Botetourt 

Confidence is NOT a bad thing either. I prefer this style way more than “well, we’re gonna do the best we can with what we have and hope it works out.” They are on attack from the start and not playing defense. I like it. It will be extremely disappointing if they have a 2nd round exit. 

I think losing Crabtree the year before was a bigger blow than some expected. Had he been on that team last year, Central would have competed with Graham for the region title. Also, I think teams were better prepared for Central's offense last year after having a few seasons to play against it.
This year's Ridgeview team has stars at the big 3 positions, QB, WR, and RB/Multipurpose back. They will be a threat from so many different areas. It will take a very well rounded and disciplined team to match up with that offense.

Well, Central was super confident last year with a similarly stacked senior class, and they didn’t make it to the Regional finals.  So, they need to be careful.    I’ve felt that RV’s coaching has been subpar in several areas last several years…..I wonder if the kids are seeing a difference in coaching or scheme that makes them believe this is the year.  Maybe some holes have been buttoned up.  I don’t think anyone disputes their talent….just have doubts about the program’s ability to maximize that talent. 

According to the list given to the cheerleaders for treat bags being made for Meet the Eagles Friday night, Rye Cove has 37 varsity players listed. 4 Seniors. 10 Juniors. 9 Sophomores and 14 Freshmen. Probably the biggest roster for the Cove in around 20 years. 

Tarter has them on the right track.  Might be a down year but seems like they’re building back up.

Galax had 74 my daughters 8th grade year, which is impressive for a high school with roughly 350 students. A new band director for my daughters freshman year resulted in numbers falling and continuing to fall every year. Last year, my daughter's junior year, the band had 16 kids. They lost 58 kids in 3 years!
We have a new band director this year. He has rekindled excitement around a once-proud marching band. They have a little north of 40 students for band camp the past two weeks. 

I’m going Ridgeview, Union, Abingdon, Lee, Central, Gate City, John Battle.  I do think Union will be better than anticipated and Abingdon will reload.  Lee will move up in the rankings but will be limited by their defense.
Ridgeview likes their team a lot, speed, skill and size all over the field.  I’m not completely sold on their Oline.  If they are above average….watch out.  They are the best bet to challenge Graham’s regional run.
 

Just occurred to me….are there any Abingdon fans on here?  We need some insider scouting from someone over there in Washington County.

In this order....Ridgeview, Union, Abingdon, Lee High and Central and Gate City 3 way tie, and then Battle last.
Disclaimer-I'm not as knowledgable as the folks local to the M7 areas or know the ins and outs of these programs, but I did watch a bunch of em last year on NFHS and can only go by for what each team returns based on what I'm reading on this board.  As for Lee High, their coach is special.  Their offense had no business doing what it did last year.  If that guy can get just some mediocre talent, he will take his mediocre talent and beat 95% of other teams that have the same talent.  
Only my opinions above

The absence or presence of structure and accountability has powerful effects.

Not quite. HC brought him on this summer and wanted him to stay...

Assuming we are talking about the same person, he is a solid player and to me is a much better fit as a blocking TE.  Defensively he is very stout as well.  I get the whole nepotism argument and it doesn't give the best look that's for sure.  However two things there, first, he is by far the best overall athlete on the field.  Second, what could his brother have done given a full season the one year and one less cheap shot the previous year?
There were two other receivers that were great as well last year and they had their fair shares of balls thrown their way as well.  Statistically, those other two dropped far more passes than Harris did as well.
Lots of factors there I have to say but bottom line is he is the best WR on the team.  

I tried that once with 5 other co-workers. We were told "it's ok to complain, but you have to realize where your paycheck comes from, so if you don't like it you might need to find a new job." I did exactly that 9 years ago and I've been happy ever since.
Nothing related to the transfer debate itself, just a side note on complaining. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't. One thing I did learn from that experience was to be prepared and have something lined up before going to the boss just in case you don't get the answer you want.

I'm looking forward to see if the Bulldogs can improve on that OL this year, and on 3rd and 4 or 3rd and 5, give consideration for toting that thing off tackle for the 1st down. Getting that run game improved to go with that passing game goes a long way. Of course, that's true for about any football team.

Interesting comment.  I spoke at length to a parent of a graduating Bulldog this past spring.  He was not happy at all with how his son was/wasn’t utilized and how the Coach/Dad, WR/son dynamic affected the team.  I told him him he should have taken his kid up to Tony Palmer or down to Jeff Tarter and he would have been more successful.  Said if he had it to do over he absolutely would have.  And his kid was a very talented kid. 

Cassius Harris of Tazewell has committed to play for the University of Richmond Spiders.  Good luck to him!!

Now that’s not nice.  Mr Wells is a leader of young men…..for 12-18 months of their formative lives.  Then he has to move on.  (Cue Johnny Cash’s “I’ve been everywhere “)

Graham vs Union

Prevailing thought in a lot of places is that the coaching staff and program is the weakness.  Curious question:  How would you rank the coaching staffs in the M7 or Region 2D?  Does anyone have RV staff as a top 3 staff in the Region?  Heck May not be too 3 in M7 (Abingdon and Union are both ahead). 

I think this a 100% take for me. Spot on.

Graham vs Union

Not that I’ve seen.  If I know Turner, he’s working the Oline and RBs on power all summer. 😂