Bluefield_Rules

It was your typical Bluefield/Princeton game at Princeton, very physical and intense. Bluefield fought back from four points down with two minutes left and, despite missing three straight free-throws, held Princeton on its final shot attempt to get the victory...

If anyone is interested in listening to the two games tonight from Princeton they can do so live over the Internet at the link provided below. http://www.star95.com/

Bluefield's depth and fast paced tempo wore down PikeView late in the 3rd and 4th quarters cruising to a win in Princeton's Holiday Tournament. Bluefield will meet the Princeton/James Monroe winner(Princeton) tomorrow night at 8:30 in the title game...

Nice little article from the BDT today on some of the Bluefield seniors... http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=2088&dept_id=346228&newsid=10712209&PAG=461&rfi=9

There’s a tidbit in Larry Hypes' article this morning with a quote from the direction of the Bluefield’s park and rec. department, which operates Mitchell Stadium, saying Bluefield is working on a package to present the SSAC and will bid on the Super Six in two years. While I had hoped they would bid this year, it’s at least a step in the right direction. As far as facilities, parking, and things of that nature Bluefield is in great shape, but there is more to getting the Super Six and the community has got to be willing to step up. Local businesses need to show their interest/support as well as the people of the Bluefields.

James Monroe hasn't been tough in basketball since about the mid-1990s and this year will be no different. However, they have to be better than last year when they couldn't even get the ball up the floor. I felt sorry for them in the Princeton Holiday Tournament last year, I don't how many times they didn't even get over halfcourt in the two games. If records were kept on that stat it would probably have been a state record...

Cloyd Jefferies will be the starting PG and there will be a couple of JV players from a year ago contribute to the varsity this season.

Bluefield has a lot of talent and return some very experienced players. However, Bluefield was also talented last year and blew it in the regionals to a much lesser opponent, one they dominated in the regular season. If the players can keep their heads on right, realize they don't win by just showing up regardless of how much better they are, and the new coach blends well with the players Bluefield will be big player in AA. I expect Beaver to struggle somewhat early, but be ready in March when it counts...

If everyone returns that played last season there should be eight and then you add Jose Steele (if he plays) who didn't play at all last year b/c of lingering football injures...

Graham is playing in the Coal Classic at Beckley? Wow!

Lemley is a very creative offense coach and I've thought that for quite a few years. The man isn't afraid to take a chance and rarely do you see Poca's offense "playing not to lose" instead of "playing to win." I believe Boyles did a good job most of the season running the Bluefield offense. Anyone was better than that horrible O.C. the Beavers had a season ago. I sat in Wheeling last year and knew 90% of the plays that were coming and who they were going to before the ball was snapped. It was a pathetically called game on the offensive side in 2002 at Wheeling...

Whoever believes that Rusty was/is responsible for the delay-of-game penalties is retarded. Those things fall squarely on the coaching staff for not having its act together. I will say though, the DOGs weren't anywhere near as bad as they were last year...

I believe Steele should have made first team, but I'm not going to belittle another player on the list in making a case for him. All one has to do is watch tapes of Bluefield games and you'll come to the same conclusions about Steele. I also feel that Marcus Gratsy should have made first team QB and at least captain b/c he was/is the best player in AA...

I’ll start by saying, as much as it pains me to do so b/c Bluefield lost and nothing more, congratulations to the Poca Dots on winning their third straight state title. Regardless of whether you dislike Poca and regardless of how their fans act you’ve got to tip your hat to any team that can win three straight state football titles. It’s quite an accomplishment and they’re the first team ever to do so in AA. Some will say they’re lucky, some will say they’re good, but in the end it has been a good combo of both. Friday night’s loss was probably the most devastating and painful I’ve ever experienced as a sports fan. I believe a lot of that has to do with how the game was lost in OT. It just seems really unfair to those Bluefield kids, especially the seniors, to have the season end on a play like it ended on. I believe I could have dealt with it better had Bluefield not scored a TD at all in OT and Poca won 21-14, but to lose 21-20 was hard to deal with it for everyone associated with Bluefield football. The game turned around on the Bluefield fumble in the 4th with the Beavers marching and leading 14-7. To this day, moment, and second I’m dumbfounded at how that ball miraculously bounced clear of the pile and to a Poca player standing six yards to the right all by himself. A play like that leads one to strongly believe it was just meant to be that Poca won. Poca got the game biggest break and made the plays to win. Santmyer was physically stronger than a year ago and it made him more dangerous. I wasn’t impressed with him a year ago in Wheeling, but I was impressed this year. However, I still believe that Marcus Gratsy is the best player in AA b/c he can beat you with his legs and his arm, which isn’t a knock on Santmyer b/c Gratsy is a helluva player. I don’t know what has been said regarding this game in the past week nor do I really care what has been said. I’m not interested in arguing how the outcome was achieved or whatever else. However, I do believe that it’s a shame that the WV high school football championships had to be played on such a crappy field. Look at Virginia, they're smart enough to play their state title games on turf. When will the Super Six quit being about the money and start being about the kids? The field was in horrible shape Friday night and I can only imagine the condition it was in on Saturday, especially for the Class A game. Regardless though, all teams had to play in the same conditions, and while it was to the advantage of some over the others, in the end you have to suck it up and get the job done. So congratulations to all three state champions b/c they got the job done…

It's time to put up or shut up in AA. The Beavers have worked all year with one goal in mind and tonight they get a chance to obtain that goal. Can the Beavers bring home state title number eight to the WV side of Bluefield? I guess only time will tell. Best wishes and safe travels to all those making the long journey to Wheeling today. I'll be leaving around 12:30. Lets Go Beavers, We Believe!

My condolences as well Lance, to you and the entire family...

The Leak brothers were certainly very good for Independence High there in Charlotte. CJ hasn't quite lived up to the hype he had coming out of high school, but Chris is off to a great start at Florida. Are there anymore Leak brothers that'll be going through Independence High?

As of right now the forecast for Sunday looks much better than Saturday. They're calling for sun and warmer temps, but that could change...

The key to the game will be Poca's QB. The QB play for Poca has been questionable all season and some Poca fans, the honest ones, will tell they've been able to win in spite of poor QB play.

They rank Gretna #1 in AA Division 3 and Graham #4. I'll provide a link and it'll take you to one of the main pages. If you'd like to get to the ranking go down the list and under the football section click on "National." Afterwards you can select any state in the country... Interesting to note that Bluefield is rated #901 in the entire country. Which isn't bad considering there are over 15,000 high school teams in the country, according to the website... http://powerratingsonline.com/

The site had Bluefield rated #1 in the entire state, regardless of class, over the final three weeks of the regular...

I'll complain about the ice, which isn't needed. Ice leads to downed trees and powerlines, which leads to people being without power and heat in the bitter cold. In addition, ice also leads to the worst road conditions possible...

Come on Tom, everyone knows that BHS controls everything in the area...LMAO

For all those crying about no or unequal coverage, if you'll open the BDT this morning you'll see there is one article each for Bluefield and Graham's football teams...

What a stupid discussion to be having in the middle of the playoff run. Save this trivial stuff for the off-season and lets discuss what matters; the on-field play...