MavsRock

That's awefull big talk from an 0-2 team. Savor the flavor of last year up there, and just thank God you aren't playing James Monroe THIS YEAR! As for my boys in purple & black, one heck of a game last friday, I don't think anyone saw this blowout coming. This is by far the fastest overall team we've had since 1999. The air game and outside rushing didn't work at all for Shady, nor did power running. Robertson and Mullens reminded me of the 1998 duo of Paul King and Ben Thornton. Best game we've played since Mount View 2002. WAY! to early to talk James Monroe-Bluefield in Wheeling (can you imagine the talk on this board if that happens?), I think Weir and Wayne will be major players in this as well. No time to celebrate now though, the Mavs will have to stay focused this week against an often upset-happy Oak Hill team.

James Monroe 26, Shady Spring 20 (OT) Bluefield 42, Princeton 14 Eastern Montgomery 28, Narrows 14 Liberty ® 33, Summers Co. 12 Oak Hill 20, Logan 18 Parkersburg South 21, Woodrow Wilson 14 Iager 34, Big Creek 6 Mount View 27, Man 14

One would be stupid to bet on either team in this one. Someone asked if we had 2 good tackles, the answer is yes, but I think Sam Bostic is by far the best, especially on D. That's important, because Shady really pounded us on off-tackle plays last year. I'm not picking anyone yet, but I'll repeat what I've said earlier, special teams will play a role in this game. For those who think Bluefield v. Princeton will be a good game, I'd be more than a little surprised to see Princeton keep this one within 20 points.

James Monroe 47, Pikeview 6 Bluefield 28, Graham 14 Patrick Henry 33, Princeton 17 Mount View 26, Chapmanville 14 Liberty ® 20, Westside 14 Shady Spring 26, Greenbrier W. 13 Oak Hill 24, Fayetteville 22 Giles 29, Blacksburg 28 (my upset pick)

I was at Bluefield last Friday, and saw the first 2 quarters of the varsity scrimmage. Bluefield's D did a descent job of limiting a much larger offense, even though Pulaski never went out of the wing-T formation, and didn't throw a whole lot. Bluefield's Offense was a somewhat different story. Coeburn barely had the ball before d-linemen were in his face, and inside running just didn't happen. It's hard to judge the passing game because the the pass rush that the Cougars had, but Coeburn did force some throws that went into the wrong hands. I was impressed with Q. Steptoe running outside. He'll give alot of teams trouble. The biggest problem for Bluefield by far was the offensive line. They should easily be in the playoffs, but could struggle after the first round if the O side of the ball doesn't see some improvement.

I didn't make it to this one, so I'll ask you. Who looked to be the best JM receivers in that scrimmage? I know are receivers really struggled against Giles Saturday. Also, and be honest, who's got the upper hand right now between James Monroe and Shad Spring in your opinion?

Giles "won" 21-6 if you were keeping track of TDs. Giles starters had a short scoring run, and a 15-20 scoring pass. The reserves each had a long drive that had a short scoring run. Hard to tell who would've actually won if this was real. Like most scrimmages, each squad had a set # of offense plays regaurdless of turnovers. Both teams played very well. Giles has the biggest line I've seen on that bunch for a long time, decently larger than the Mavs. Still, the Mavs line ( especially on D ) vastly improved as the morning went along. Not bad considering Giles has had several more days of contact practice than our guys. JM's passing accuracy is vastly improved from last year. None of our passes (about 7 or 8 of them) were even close to being picked off, the same can't be said for Giles. I think the TD was the only pass they completed as there passes were routinely of target, and one of them would've been intercepted had a defender not flat-out dropped it. The dropping passes was a big problem on O for us as well, we easily had 4 or 5 of them, it's clearly our biggest problem on offense right now. One problem we didn't have was turnovers, none of them for us, the closest was a fumble out of bounds,an a couple of low snaps that killed timing of plays. Giles had 2 or 3 lost fumbles. Our defense showed good improvement, especially with outside run control, and pressuring the passer without giving up big plays.

If anyone knows when the BDT and Register-Herald have their HS season previews out, please post it. Thanks.

I'd be more than just a little than just a little surprised if Graham has as good a year as last season. Both offensively, and defensively, Bradshaw was the heartbeat of that team last year. There are cases of area teams losing a player like that and then "improving" the next year, but they're rare. The only one that really comes to mind is Bluefield after they lost Issabelle a few years back, then won the state title, even though quality of competition may have been a factor there as well. Who replaces Bradshaw at RB, or receiver, or I think most importantly on defense? These are questions that I haven't heard serious attempts to answer. Only time will tell.

I got to watch them on Tuesday and Friday, and I can say that they got more accomplished than they appeared to have at this time last year. Coach thought they'd be lucky to get in the offensive stuff he wanted to. Not only did they do that, but they got in 2 days of defense as well. I noticed major improvements in exicution over the week, especially with the younger players. I'm looking forward to seeing them scrimmage Giles in August. By the way, Willie, enjoyed getting to talk to you and your son Tuesday. Thanks for the info on a certain individual, I'll save that for a later date.

76-35, as follows (*represents a playoff game) 1994, 4-6 1995, 8-3* 1996, 7-4* 1997, 6-4 1998, 12-1*** 1999, 11-1*** 2000, 3-7 2001, 7-4* 2002, 11-1** 2003, 7-4*

Just thought I'd put James Monroe's post-season record & scores on here for what it's worth. They're 5-7, but maybe Coach Witt can fix Donnie Jackson's biggest weakness. 1995: @Lewisburg, JM 6, Duval 28 1996: @Keyser, JM 6, Keyser 42 1998: @Princeton, JM 42, Richwood 18 @Princeton, JM 37, Tucker Co. 13 @Charleston, JM 14, Du Pont 21 1999: @Princeton, JM 42, Wayne 26 @Princeton, JM 47, Tyler Con. 15 @Beckley, JM 24, Wyoming East 31 2001: @Oak Hill, JM 35, Oak Hill 36 2002: @James Monroe, JM 18, Braxton Co. 0 @James Monroe, JM 0, Bluefield 3 2003: @ Poca, JM 20, Poca 46

Thanks. I'll try to get out and see them.

Does anyone know the dates and times for James Monroe's summer practice sessions?

Awesome!!!!!!!! I've wanted James Monroe to scrimmage Giles for a long time. I'm intersted to see if we'll end up playing them again like after the old scrimmages with Narrows and Bluefield. I hope Giles throws alot at us, they can learn a great deal from an offense like that. It's also real neet that 2 of my cousins, (Michael Thompson and Keith Reynolds) are playing for Giles this Year. Make sure to say high to all the Narrows people, you can bet they'll be there to watch that.

Hardest opponents for James Monroe: 1. Bluefield-Won't have quite the inside rushing power, or Martin's explosiveness. Still a real good passing and outside rushing team, also, very stingy defense with Wells and Coburn. The Mavs will have to play there best to give themselves a chance. Probably a Bluefield win, but not the 49-8 thumping of last year. 2. Shady Spring-Very even match all around. Turnovers or special teams play decides this one, just like last year. 3. Greenbrier East-Always very big. The only team to beat us in JV last year, and maybe they'll have a coach who can compete at a AAA level with McClintic gone. 4. Oak Hill-Usually pretty quick, but the loss of Grasty and their coach will hurt them badly, very competitive game. 5. Liberty ®-They've been stedily there the last few years, if I've heard right adn several people are back, they could actually reflect their good records in the playoffs for once. 6. Narrows-Know's the single wing better than any other opponent, and they're a rival that always plays JM tough. 7. Wyoming East-There was a time that they would've been ranked much, much higher, but those days are over. James Monroe should beat them for the first time, but will have to be carefull playing them on the road, ask 2002 Oak Hill about that. 8. Point Pleasant-Hasn't done much lately, they are a real wild card team for us though. 9. Summers County-Let's see, 70-20 JM last season, and all good players from last year are gone. To quote Forest Gump, "That's all I have to say about that." 10. Pikeview-Change score to 42-0 and see Summers Co.

3 come to mind: Andrew Robertson-James Monroe-proven RB, and possibly the main passer out of JM's single wing offense, hope the knee stays healed up. Two year ago coach Witt said he was the best back in school history. He's unquestionably one of the fastest and hardest to get ahold of. David Purdue-Bluefield-similar to Chhris Martin in the running game, but a more skilled WR, if I were trying to shut down Bluefield, I'd have him accounted for every play Ricky Cook-Giles-led them in rushing last year as a sophomore, and was a good receiver too. I'd say Narrows will really want him back next fall, I know they did last year.

I wanna know exactly where you heard that Robertson might not be playing. I know I haven't heard of such a thing. What I do know is that I saw him walking around at Poca less than a week after his knee surgery, and he didn't have much of a limp at all.

I'll coment on 6 teams. This not a predicted ranking, but I'll start out with JM anyway James Monroe: Should be a much improved defensive team. I know Tanre is gone, but if Robertson, Riggs, Mullens, and Galford stay healthy, the offense will be improved also. The big question is the line. Justin Weikle, Gareth Francis and Anthony Morrow will be missed. Games to watch: Bluefield, Oak Hill, Greenbrier East, Wyoming East, Shady Spring Bluefield: Still lightning quick, but a little less powerfull on O. Mariotti, Martin, Steele, Williams, and Pannell were all very critical players. Coeburn, Wells, the Steptoes and Purdue will have to bring there A-game. L. Stonw will still be important. A couple of plays could be the difference between a deep playoff run, and only playing 9 or 10 games, just like 2 years ago. Weir: Lost there star WR, but the QB is back, along with many key players. James Monroe nealry played this team in Wheeling in 1998, this year has the potential to take care of unfinished business. Mount View: Doug Vineyard should pick up where his brother left off. There still the fastest team in the state. If Glen Carlock or Bob Lemley coached down there, a lot of college teams wouldn't be able to handle them. Shady Spring: There a lot like James Monroe, just slower and less disciplined. I agree with an earlier poster, they'll probably go to the playoffs or go 3-7. Poca: Satmyer, Sotelo and Kinder won't be replace in one year. I love their coach, he'll get them to the playoffs, but they'll have to use the "secret" plays to get there. I look for some more talented team to knock them out, probably in the 2nd round.

I went by there Sunday, and since James Monroe is playing them down there, I have a question. I know there was construction being done on the field, but is that place like Oak Hill in that there is only one side of bleachers? They may only be removed temporarily. If anyone knows, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks man! When you're at the bottom there's only one way to go. Who would've thought that the Mavs would beat Princeton in basketball in the same season that the football team lost to the Tigers. You're definetly right, that's a pretty embarassing moment in that team's program. It also serves as proof of the fact that Monroe County teams fight to the end, no matter what the situation.

It could be that with this being the first year, Witt didn't want to throw in the highly complex plays until later on, like maybe 2004. I hate to say it, but the Bluefield game was a good example. They were a much better team, but the injury to Robertson played a big role in it being 49-8, just like it played a role in the Princeton and Poca games as well. Oh yeah, when you say that Giles runs alot of crossbucks, am I right in assuming that an end comes around on every play, either as a runner or a decoy?

I haven't go to see Giles play in a while. What are the differences between what JM has, and what they have?

It's that boring time of year when you really have to think to stur up conversation. I was just wondering what other HS team around here ran the single wing offense besides James Monroe and Giles. Oh yeah, if anyone knows when any schedules are going to be out, please let me know.

Their is a rumor out that after this season, the girls will be coached by Kelly Mann, and Mike Hines. If anyone knows any facts, please post them. Kelly would probably do good, but Hines is too freaking arrogant to do any good coaching.