Tru Blue72

I didn’t see any fall athletic appointments on the minutes for March 11th, probably next time fall may be appointed. 

Once yall get that right shade of blue, it’s going to be an even better place to play a football game. 

Not to be in disagreement, but us old RHS fans are not through with this thread yet.  Come on now, we haven't had to chance to voice our opinion on the assistant coaches, or what we think they will do to help the HC.  At least give us until after the beginning of 7 on 7's to try to swallow what TCSB may come up with as to the assistants.

Work has begun at Graham and Tazewell.  From my understanding, they can't put turf down until the temperature remains above 54 degrees for an extended period of time, but the other foundational work has begun.  Don't know much about Graham's field, but hear that Tazewell's field will include new visitors seating, a track (not sure if rubberized or not) -  Not sure if there will be much done to the home side of the stadium, haven't heard.  The Turf field will be alternating dark and light green, bulldog logo in the middle and the field will be trimmed in black.  Markings for soccer and track and field will be included on the field (not 100% sure on that).  I believe that everything at THS should be good to go for next football season.    When all is said and done, I believe it will be very similar to the setup at Christiansburg High School.  
Also hearing that Tazewell is planning to upgrade their softball field and install a permanent fence and add more seating and lighting. 
 
As for Graham, it looks like they have torn down the fence between the two fields and the turf looks (to me anyway) like it will be laid down somewhere in the middle of where the two practice fields were (I assume to make room for a future grandstand and visitors stands).  I hear they are also getting a track.  
 
But yes, work has begun and I am looking forward to seeing how it turns out at THS, from what I hear, it will look very nice.
As for Richlands, haven't heard, but I would assume, most of that work will be put off until the weather gets warmer, since not as much has to be done.

I personally don't see Dennis leaving Graham, but I've been wrong many times in my 70 years if life.  I would like to see him back at Richlands because I think his defensive coaching skills played a big part in the good teams that Mance had while he was HC.  Offense is fun to watch, but as the saying goes, defense wins championships.  Come to Richlands or stay at Graham, eitherr way, I wish him the best in his retirement.

Totally agree with this.  Now the other part falls on the fans and the parents.  Don't expect a miracle, Davis should not be expected to turn the program around next year or even two years.  Culture building takes time, and the parents and fans must buy into the understanding that the least improvement from last year is a step in the right direction.  Parents, back off and let the coach be the coach, that means being realistic about you childs talent level.  Fans, back off and stop the critisism everytime you feel the coach isn't doing things your way.  It takes a village to raise a child and it will take the RHS community to turn this program around.  Support the coach, even if you feel that you could do a better job, afterall, you didn't throw your hat into the ring when the position was open.  We all need to come together and give this thing time. In three or four years, if we're still where we are now, then Kattie bar the door, but as for now, PATIENCE AND SUPPORT  is what's needed.

Totally agree with this.  Now the other part falls on the fans and the parents.  Don't expect a miracle, Davis should not be expected to turn the program around next year or even two years.  Culture building takes time, and the parents and fans must buy into the understanding that the least improvement from last year is a step in the right direction.  Parents, back off and let the coach be the coach, that means being realistic about you childs talent level.  Fans, back off and stop the critisism everytime you feel the coach isn't doing things your way.  It takes a village to raise a child and it will take the RHS community to turn this program around.  Support the coach, even if you feel that you could do a better job, afterall, you didn't throw your hat into the ring when the position was open.  We all need to come together and give this thing time. In three or four years, if we're still where we are now, then Kattie bar the door, but as for now, PATIENCE AND SUPPORT  is what's needed.

Totally agree with this.  Now the other part falls on the fans and the parents.  Don't expect a miracle, Davis should not be expected to turn the program around next year or even two years.  Culture building takes time, and the parents and fans must buy into the understanding that the least improvement from last year is a step in the right direction.  Parents, back off and let the coach be the coach, that means being realistic about you childs talent level.  Fans, back off and stop the critisism everytime you feel the coach isn't doing things your way.  It takes a village to raise a child and it will take the RHS community to turn this program around.  Support the coach, even if you feel that you could do a better job, afterall, you didn't throw your hat into the ring when the position was open.  We all need to come together and give this thing time. In three or four years, if we're still where we are now, then Kattie bar the door, but as for now, PATIENCE AND SUPPORT  is what's needed.

That was more or less his only school he could have transferred to with his dad still being able to pull some of the strings (just rumors). Think Lebanon also wanted to send a message by running the score up bc someone said the coach had been taking Reece out to lunch😂

Graham didn’t get beat by Richlands. As I mentioned on another thread the only time our area can compete with larger areas is by building all star super teams. The only state championship team I can remember to win without help of transfer were Lebanons two state championship teams. VHSL needs to revamp the whole classification system. Kids around here don’t have a choice of what school they want to go to unless they want to drive 35-45 extra minutes. Meanwhile some of my buddies out east have 2-3 schools of every single classification out there that they can send their children to.

I personally don't see Dennis leaving Graham, but I've been wrong many times in my 70 years if life.  I would like to see him back at Richlands because I think his defensive coaching skills played a big part in the good teams that Mance had while he was HC.  Offense is fun to watch, but as the saying goes, defense wins championships.  Come to Richlands or stay at Graham, eitherr way, I wish him the best in his retirement.

All valid points. I think Snake’s goal is probably to help the GMen get back to state and win it again at some point. He strikes as one who stays the course and would probably still be at Richlands if Mance hadn’t let him go. I guess all of the speculation will end soon! Hasn’t strength & conditioning started? If Dennis Palmer is retiring at the end of the month , I would fully expect to see him down at Richlands come February in the afternoons if he’s leaving Graham. You do drive by at Ernie Hicks come February and I’ll drive by Graham and we can compare notes 😂😂😂. 

He may or may not come back. No one really knows yet. But the allure of coming back to help an 0-10 program is to come back home to coach with your brother and help your brother turn an 0-10 program around. I know if I was in his shoes and had the chance to work with my brother, I'd be leaving, personally. 

"The Farm" also qualifies. 

Dennis Palmer submitted his intent to retire from his aide position at GHS. 

We have a designated jock strap coach if that tells you anything. He coaches them up so that we get 110% support out of those things. haha
Technically, Union has an OC and DC, but I think Turner and the OC work very closely. I guess it's almost like 2 coaches doing the same job.

I think everyone hopes the Blues improve over last years dismal record, but reality is that it will take at least a couple of years to get even close to the top.  Talent dictates success in SWD and the talent is in the school, but getting them to come out and play will be the tricky thing.  Buddy Ball, and Daddy Ball, not to mention the failed leadership that wrecked the feeder program will be hard to overcome.  Students who are good enough to play don't want to just be on the practice team, and that's what has happened the past few years.  Good athletes have came out and worked their butts off only to be overlooked.  I've personally talked to a few and when I ask why they quit the team or wasn't playing the answer I got was ligit: "Who wants to be a proctice dummy for someone who isn't as talented."  That is what's been going on, so the talent said to heck with it and either transferred or just decided not to compete in a loosing situation.  There has been good talent left behind the last three years because of who they were, not how good they were, and this has to stop if the Blues are going to be successful, and I think this will happen, but could take a while.  Hope HC Davis gets some good assistants who will allow talent to play, not social status, or family connections.  Play the most talented, no matter who they are, let them play.

Guys, I'm hearing some good news about assistants and if what I'm hearing is true, HC Davis will have a good group with him, and some new players transfering in.  Not able to say a lot seeing it's not official, but if it works out, I think the Blues will be a suprisingly good team next year.  
Hope everyone has a great New Year and can't wait to see if all the talk that's going around is true.  Looking forward to a great year.

OK, it's been long enough, here are mine...
Honorable Mention - Schools that play in a lower class than they should be playing in...you know which ones I'm talking about...<pointing finger>Riverheads, Grayson Co</pointing finger>
#3 - Princeton - There's nothing about them that I've ever liked...always have a chip on their shoulder for no reason at all, they were never good, until maybe this year. And their fans are just awful, finger nails down a chalkboard bad.  We'll just leave that one there.
#2 - Radford - I just don't like them, Ugly uniforms, their black and gold looks like baby poop and their garbage stadium that should have been condemned in the 1980s.  And then there was that playoff game in the 90s...I think there was some illegitimacy to that win...they knew every play that Graham was running.
And, I'm sorry if this pisses off a few people on this board...
#1 - Gate City - Hated them from the earliest days that I can remember. Their holdbacks, the kids that came over from TN, their train horn, the fact they don't care what side of the stadium they sit on.  On top of that, they always seemed to beat Graham when I was a kid, the hate was real. My uncle played on the team that lost 52-0 and 70-14 in the early 70s, I think he helped fuel my hatred for GC. Fortunately, my years in high school, we took 3 of 4...I'll sill can see Eddie Hall picking off a screen pass and sprinting 40+ yards to the endzone my freshman year. But I digress, I just don't like them.
 

To me a legend in the area.  Sarge was a long time assistant for Harry Fry at Gate City.  In the late 70s he took over as the lead Dawg at Appalachia stepping down in 79 after a 7-3 campaign handing the keys to Tom Turner to take over.  Sarge then took over the Rye Cove program in 83 and got the broke on the brink of a state title in 88.  RC had defeated Jonesville at Jonesville near the end of the regular season before losing to the Dogs in a mud bowl in the region finals during the improbable run for the crew from Jonesville.  Sarge stepped out of coaching after 1990 but returned to the Cove in 97.   He was to be he HC but took the assistant title instead so a former player, Joe Carter could be the HC.   Sarge still ran almost everything for the program for the next three years which were some of the programs winningest teams.   He took over the Twin Springs program in 2003 as they were coming out of a really rough stretch.  I asked him why he was heading up there.  Coach told me he liked a challenge and had coached at GC and RC, he might as well mark off the last county school before he retired for good. Coach stepped down after only two seasons.  He led TS to two of their programs three region final games during those two years.
Coach Reed wasnt flashy.  He wore the same clothes to practice everyday and its hard to tell how many miles had been put on his 80s Thunderbird.  He expected you to be physical as he said he only felt like he had lost two ballgames when his teams were the most physical one on the field.  The playbook wasn't super deep on either side of the ball but like the nickname "Sarge" practice was drilled like military over and over to run things to perfection.  He commanded respect but showed his "bigguns" a lot of love over the years.  RIP to a SWVA coaching legend in my book.

Want to wish everyone who participates on this board a very wonderful and blessed Christmas. Hope everyone has a happy New Year and enjoys time with your family and friends.  May God Bless us One and All and next year be a brighter and exciting year for each team we support.

Merry Christmas to everyone!!!
I have been a member since 2007 on this board...almost 17 years.  I've enjoyed it, been frustrated at times, but always keep returning to read, post and reply to others.  We have a common bond, not always common teams, just our love of sports.  
The most important year of having my name listed occurred in 1984...almost 40 years ago.  That Sunday, I surrendered my life to Christ.  It has been such a blessing in my life, knowing through battles, trials I always have that constant, I have a Savior who walks with me.  
This morning I was reading a monthly newsletter I receive.   The author said this and I would like to share.  It may not be for all, but it may be just what some need.
"A question often arises in our trials, one that seems universal: "Why?"
The backdrop is the story of Martha and Mary's brother Lazarus death and Jesus delayed coming there 4 days.  
"Many of us address God as Martha did, "Lord why did you let this happen?  Why weren't you here for us."  
The author said, "I believe we need to ask a different question, not "Why?", but "Who?' as in "Who is my redeemer?  Who is always for me?  Who walks with me through the valley of the shadow of death?   Who is in control always?  Whose promises have never failed me?"  
He adds, "The difference in asking "Who?"  rather than than "Why?" can shift our path.  Asking "Why?" is an intellectual pursuit; even if we receive an answer, our spirit gains nothing.  Asking "Who?' is personal.  If we ask it, God will reveal himself to us, and we'll experience his faithfulness.  We'll also be able to trust  that our steps are in line with his glory."  
This wish for a Merry Christmas to all, is a little long.  I guess you could compare it to being at Christmas dinner, if all you enjoy is the aroma of the day, and not sit down and feast from what's been prepared, your day isn't complete.  
One last note, this quote is from poet Robert Frost,  and I think it is a good way to close my wishes.
"If there are no tears in the writer, there have been no tears in the reader." 
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!
 
 
 
 

Want to wish everyone who participates on this board a very wonderful and blessed Christmas. Hope everyone has a happy New Year and enjoys time with your family and friends.  May God Bless us One and All and next year be a brighter and exciting year for each team we support.

Want to wish everyone who participates on this board a very wonderful and blessed Christmas. Hope everyone has a happy New Year and enjoys time with your family and friends.  May God Bless us One and All and next year be a brighter and exciting year for each team we support.

Want to wish everyone who participates on this board a very wonderful and blessed Christmas. Hope everyone has a happy New Year and enjoys time with your family and friends.  May God Bless us One and All and next year be a brighter and exciting year for each team we support.