SwvaOG

Abingdon has been oddly up and down….hard to explain why they struggled with GC for 3 quarters ….but Jenkins will do that to you.  I would have to disagree on the RV/ Union game.  For those who follow RV, we feel that first half was the worst football they played all year and the worst overall performance…..only rivaled by the John Battle first quarter, which was definitely the worst quarter of football RV has played in a couple of years.

RV has a problem embracing what they are….a spread run/pass offense.  They still want to be a spread to run and just get in their own way.  They should be throwing it 20-25 times a game…period.  Beavers should get it 10-12 times a game…Counts should get 8-10 a game.  In no situation should the second team RB touch the ball more than #7 or #5.  Against Union they wasted three possessions trying to “establish the run”.  They should have came out firing and stressing the defense from the first play.  It feels like they just haven’t figured out how to use their weapons.  Get the ball to 7, 5 and 13 as fast and frequently as you can. 

I'm not debating the "legality."  I didn't infer about the "legality of decibel level."  What I inferred was.....if you are a Union fan, stop sidestepping and pissing in the wind about what is the obvious.  That is......it's a moral wrong to blow a train horn during the snap.  At least, the majority of normal humans likely feel that way; otherwise, it would be far, far more common.  
We agree on a portion of your post and your statement, "I'm not savvy with it blaring during live action."  Well, I kind of disagree on that also.  I think you should be a firm NO, and not "savvy."  Also, I am ok with the train horn blaring during the middle of the play.  It may sound weird, but I'm fine with it.  Blaring during the middle of the play doesn't give the D an advantage.  The snap count is a no brainer.  If the ball is snapped and your defense is accustomed to the train horn and it fires them up, then fire 3 train horns during the middle of the play.  That's fine.  
Any Union fan with common sense knows that what opponents are complaining about is not your train horn during the game.  They are complaining about it during the snap, and some, not most, not all, but some Union fans have tried to shift the goal posts in this argument over the years to make it sound like opponents are arguing against the train horn all together.  You and I both know they aren't arguing that. 

Well, at least one talented team is going home in the 1st round:  Graham, Union, RV, Central and Va High can’t all make it to the 2nd round.  The talent level at the skill positions for the playoffs will be amazing….best in years: Bradshaw, Webb, Thomas (and others from Va High) Jenkins, Lomax, Ethan Mullins, Beavers, Hill (RV) Harris (Tazewell)….just the WRs alone.  Has there been a more talented WR group in your memory? 

I think the Union fans need to calm down a bit. Your season isn't over by any means. You lost to a team that has a legit shot at winning region. You still for the most part control your own destiny. Plus its pretty obvious that there is no clear cut favorite to win the region (maybe Graham).  The playoffs around here in 2d should be really good. Especially the semi and championship round,. 
Then we will sacrafice that team to Appomattox for Peace on Earth!

They are peaking at the right time.  Now, I think all those LBs are Seniors.  That will be hard to replace next year but can absolutely carry them this year.  No one plays within their system and to what they do well better than Central.  Union isn’t far behind and RV simply doesn’t want to fully embrace being a passing team (it should).  

In case anyone else is remotely interested, here is a shot of a Richlands player from 1974.  The jersey is light blue with red numerals and white cuffs.  The pants are light blue with a red/white/red stripe.  The helmet is obviously white -- both the stripe and the 'R' logo are red.
 

The train horn blew through the snap count in the first half ….often.  I’m not sure how you can honestly say you are in compliance with the rules.  I just think it unnecessarily detracts from the game and experience.  You don’t NEED to do that…good park, good fanbase and good team. I know numerous RV people specifically brought air horns to “give them a taste of their own medicine”.  This is where we are now and I’m willing to bet that VHSL outlaws all air horns in next two years.  It pisses me off when someone behind me unleashes one and I’m taking a drink of coke or a bite of hotdog.  

Having watched both.  Centrals linebackers is its sweet spot on defense.  They are all fast, incredible lateral movement for High School linebackers and very tough.  Meaning, they very easily take on the block from the fullback and can not get taken out of the play trying to tackle the trailing running back.  They lose no ground with the opponents lead blocker and very quickly disengage from the lead block and get two hands on the running back.  They also cover in space very well with the opponents ends and backs on pass routes.  They did a marvelous job against Christiansburg.  Lastly, perfect technique (which is coaching).  They always seem to be in the right positions.  I agree with the one poster on Central's linebackers.  Best linebacking group of actually ANY team I've seen play this year.  I've seen C-Curg, Union, Graham, Bluefield, Appo, Union, Ridgeview, Radford, Giles, Galax, and even Riverheads.  They have 3 linebackers at Central that are very, very good.  Now, it's not the best defense I've seen.  Not the best team I've seen.  But, when dialing in specifically to the iinebacker group, it's the best unit I've seen. 

They’ve put up 60+ three times….. against two 1A’s and John Battle.  Methinks that won’t happen against Graham.   

Great to see! Thought there was sportsmanship and mutual respect in this game. During one stoppage, I saw Bunch and Beavers chatting it up while lined up across from each other.

I have zero issues with the horn when it's blown like it was in the second half. 

The horn was not blown during play in the second half. Seems like word got passed up that it was gonna draw a flag but I dunno. I don't wanna cause another mess with the Union guys, my feelings on the horn being blown during play are well known. 

Yes, I noticed that and I’m a big fan as well.  Good touch.  I also like how RV has the wolf on one side and their number on the other.  It’s different..mixes it up a bit.  The lightning R is the best letter logo..instantly recognized. 

I do think the consolidation school names were bland as hell.  My all time favorite name (I would t want to have the name though) are the Poca “Dots” in WV.  I mean…wow….that’s courage.

Prior to naming the horribly generic Northwood Panthers, Smyth County had some great mascot names including the Saltville Shakers, Rich Valley Steers, and Sugar Grove Maple Leafs.  Chilhowie, a Cherokee word for "Valley of Many Deer", is of course the Warriors. Ironically and unfortunately, CHS was constructed on an Indian burial ground. 

Because 40 year old men think it’s okay to knowingly due illegal stuff (with the schools consent) to mess with 16, 17 kids from another team.  From what I’ve seen over the years…they don’t hide from it, They own it.  I’m an old Army guy who still believes in integrity.  Do the right thing. I’m a dinosaur, I guess.

Because 40 year old men think it’s okay to knowingly due illegal stuff (with the schools consent) to mess with 16, 17 kids from another team.  From what I’ve seen over the years…they don’t hide from it, They own it.  I’m an old Army guy who still believes in integrity.  Do the right thing. I’m a dinosaur, I guess.

It seems like they have a different uniform each week.  They go from a really good look to boring in the span of a week.

Graham, Richlands, Union, VA High, and Ridgeview all have better grey! 

There was a weird obsession in the region for naming teams after weather events while including a descriptive color:  Marion Scarlet Hurricane, Richlands Blue Tornadoes (one of my favs), Grundy Golden Wave, Clintwood Green Wave.  All of those are unique.  Let’s not forget “Bearcats”, the old Garden Green Dragons…..always wondered why there weren’t more teams names after the coal industry “miners”…prospectors, etc.
There were a few years that Grundy resembled Notre Dame…looked sharp.  Union’s colors are worlds better that Appalachia and PV.  Graham has a classic helmet and name.  I’m a fan of Ridgeview’s Gray on gray 
 
 
 

There was a weird obsession in the region for naming teams after weather events while including a descriptive color:  Marion Scarlet Hurricane, Richlands Blue Tornadoes (one of my favs), Grundy Golden Wave, Clintwood Green Wave.  All of those are unique.  Let’s not forget “Bearcats”, the old Garden Green Dragons…..always wondered why there weren’t more teams names after the coal industry “miners”…prospectors, etc.
There were a few years that Grundy resembled Notre Dame…looked sharp.  Union’s colors are worlds better that Appalachia and PV.  Graham has a classic helmet and name.  I’m a fan of Ridgeview’s Gray on gray 
 
 
 

That’s his uncle.  I’ve heard he was hard to go against….think his dad played at Emory for a bit.  Younger kid is a different type of player….more skilled and different body type. Weather looks to benefit Union.