PioneerPA

What happened tonight was kinda the hush-hush worry of most Pioneer fans...JM was physically superior. And the penalty bug continued to plauge Wayne...all obvious penalties too (except for the inelgible receiver down field on a screen pass behind the line...that was different)...but no crying here. Still proud as heck of my Pioneers. Congratulations to all those Maverick fans who never quit believing they could get to Wheeling in any given year, and good luck next Friday night!!

Just wanted to bump this tonight and add that the Family Restaurant located near the Wendy's and Wal-Mart Plaza has changed hands...it is now the Cowboy Cooking Co., with steak, ribs and chicken. Shocked me too and I haven't got to try it out yet. Anyway, on another note, I wanted to wish the Mavericks good luck tomorrow night. I respect the people in Monroe County and the program that has been built there over the past 10 years. James Monroe does things the right way. If we can't go to the Island this year, James Monroe would be my pick to go. Of course, I hope it doesn't come at our expense this particular year, but you guys are highly thought of up in this neck of the woods. Have a safe trip.

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[ QUOTE ] Who would want to beat up Paw-Paw? [/ QUOTE ] Wheeling Central

From I-64 West: Take Exit 8 (5th Street East) and make a left at the light (152 South). You'll drive about 15-20 minutes or so from the interstate to the field. You'll stay on 152 and cross the railroad tracks 4 times. (Big space between 3rd and 4th). After the 4th crossing, you'll hit a long straight stretch. At the end of it is Wal-Mart (set back) with Wendy's and KFC next to the road. Go through the red light and you'll go into what is in effect an S curve. Make a right near the end of that left curve just before the sawmill. You'll see the lights to the field. Cross the bridge and you're there. There is a lot of parking in the general vicinity, but you'll want to get there reasonably early to make sure you park on pavement instead of the overflow grass lots. If you're looking to eat, there is a lot of food around the Huntington Mall (on I-64 about 35 minutes from Wayne), but closer to Wayne there is a Dairy Queen close to the initial exit, Monty's Pizza and Hillbilly Hotdogs near Kenny Queen ACE Hardware just before Lavalette (12 minutes or so from Wayne). Also on 152 in Lavalette is Elmer's Family Restaurant, Triple H Drive Inn, Sam's Hotdogs, McDonald's, Taco Bell (connected to Exxon), Gino's Pizza, El Tenampa Mexican Restaurante (authentic). Just before the Wal-Mart Plaza (you'll see the Wendy's sign first) is the Family Restaurant. In the Wal-Mart Plaza is Wendy's, KFC, Rocky Top's Pizza, China King (authentic) and a Subway inside Wal-Mart. About 5 minutes beyond the field on 152, on the other side of the hill that is town (Wayne sits on a hill...can't miss it) is the Pioneer Restaurant. Have a safe trip out!

In 2000, it was #1 Bridgeport and #2 Wayne

Thanks...hadn't seen it spelled and was trying to kinda guess at it phonetically...lol. I appreciate it. I just remember they called him "Spinegrabber" at the Grid-O-Rama...made me wonder what would happen if he and "Bonecutter" from Point Pleasant ever went head-to-head...

[ QUOTE ] I remember Will Cole throwing 3 INT that day in a scrimmage. Has he even thrown 3 INT all year? [/ QUOTE ] Yes he just got his third interception of the season last week during a wet game. I believe he had a lot of people worried after those scrimmages but he has really turned it around. He manages a game very impressively. [/ QUOTE ] Exactly...that was my entire point about what that Grid-o-Rama means today...he was getting heckled then (unjustly)...now nothing but praise (and rightfully so).

Well, 6-0 is hardly domination, but Graham did in fact push Wayne around quite a bit up front. The fullback was sound for Graham, as was the defense. That said, Wayne's starting wingback went out on the second play of the scrimmage (he wasn't healthy again until the Tolsia game), and Wayne ran nothing but simple base plays (as did Graham). Only attempted 2-3 passes and more or less ran a series of 4 plays over and over. In other words, it was a straight up, raw exhibition, considering neither team prepared for each other. Graham was physically superior. Took the preparation part out. I do know Wayne made some adjustments up front after that, and it has paid off. Graham also dominated Martinsburg in the scrimmage. The Wayne-Richlands game is hard to really grasp. Richlands scored two quick TD's with Fuller at QB (who looked MUCH better than Elswick that scrimmage), and this was less than an hour after Wayne had a physical scrimmage with Graham. Wayne scored on 2 long TD passes against a mixed bag of Richlands starters (though Fuller and Spoengruber were in the game at the time). But it was a scrimmage, and as is usually the case at that point in the season, I'd venture to say everyone there is better now than they were then. It was a great exhibition of football, but it is nothing to base the entire season upon. I remember Will Cole throwing 3 INT that day in a scrimmage. Has he even thrown 3 INT all year?

Bluefield_Rules, Little bit of contention. You said: "Bluefield-69 Wayne-24 (yes, it's the title game, but still...the argument could be made) Bluefield pulled their offensive starters following the first series of the 3rd quarter. The defensive starters, including kicking team pulled at the same time. Wayne scored 17 of their 24 points against the second team defense. Bluefield put their starters back in mid-4th b/c Wayne's first team was killing the second team defense. This could remotely be considered running up the score as Simon elected to allow Lucas Stone a chance to break the state title game FG record with a 42-yarder late in the game." Rusty Coeburn QB'd well into the fourth quarter and when he came out, he was replaced by Jonathan Repass, a senior who started at WR. The starting offense played virtually the entire game, and Repass threw a TD pass up 62-24 with 3 minutes left. Bluefield put its second defense in for exactly one play...in which Wayne scored on a 73-yard TD pass. The wheel route down the left sideline to Tyler Michael beat Mike Davis for a TD...that was the third TD I believe. The second was set up by a big run by Josh Powers, who was run out of bounds by David Perdue...if I recall correctly. The first TD was set up by a pass from Newell to Marcum in which Davis tackled him inside the 10. You didn't substitute in mass that game until the last TD...then you put the starters back in because I guess 62-24 was too close for Freddy. I never had a problem with Bluefield fans, or the players (2 were ejected after the game got out of hand, but that happens) and their actions...but Freddy Simon is not on my Christmas card list...lol. Just an opinion from the opposing side.

It was 40-6. Wayne led 40-0 when MV got its TD on a 19-yard run by Thomas against the freshmen. Ironically, Wayne's freshmen tackled High better than the varsity did late in the game. MV played its second group on defense after the midway point of the 4th quarter, but played its starters on offense the entire way. They got in sync one time and had a nice drive, but it ended with an INT in the endzone in the third quarter...here's the scoring summary: Mount View 0 0 0 6--6 Wayne 14 12 8 6--40 1st qtr W-Thompson 1 run (Gilkerson run) 9:55 W-Thompson 3 run (pass failed) 2:57 2nd qtr W-Gilkerson 15 run (kick failed) 7:20 W-Meddings 1 pass from Ferguson (pass failed) 0:10 3rd qtr W-Fletcher 12 pass from Ferguson (Shreve pass from Ferguson) 8:39 4th qtr W-Damron 3 run (run failed) 6:20 MV-Thomas 19 run (run failed) 3:46 I don't know why some outlets had 34-6...that was never the score unless it was called in wrong. I reported on the game for The Herald-Dispatch and sent them the correct score...but they got it wrong on their scoreboard heading which confused me. The AP listing had the correct score, but then had the wrong score for Rock Hill-Tolsia. I'll do my best to make certain that does not happen again.

MV had some penalties and Cordero High had the abosolute play of the night called back...he hurdled a guy that wasn't exactly going after his ankles, landed on his feet, and got a first down...but it was called back for holding on a fake punt. Still an amazing play. He got an ovation from the home fans for that one.

I'm afraid the rumors were true...Mount View just isn't very good this year. Cordero High is amazing still, but he had to break 4-5 tackles to get more than 5 yards on a carry. Still had a very solid night. But upfront, Mount View was as physically weak as I can remember seeing them. They lost the game in the trenches tonight. I don't think that team will make the playoffs...

Well, just trying to spread the message...haha. Mount View hasn't been here in awhile...want to make sure as many eyes as possible see it. Oh yeah, and its on bluegoldnews.com too. This is obviously not an every-week thing...just when someone new or someone who hasn't been here in 5 years comes in.

I know it probably seems like a nearly annual voyage up here, but since you haven't been to Wayne since 2002, I figured I'd give you all a little reminder of what's here since its a long trip. I also realize there just a few Knight fans on this board, but I figure the word can be spread. First, the best way to get to Wayne...well...there is no good way to get from Welch to Wayne. The best way is to hit 52 North all the way to Fort Gay...about 1 mile past Fort Gay, make a right onto 37 East. Take 37 all the way across (10 miles or so) to 152 North, and take that road through and past Wayne. There are two ways to get to Pioneer Field from there (the same road, each end)...you can take Craig Road at the bottom of the hill as you come out of Wayne just before the railroad crossing a bridge to the left, and drive on that road for about 3 minutes...you'll come out right at the high school. The other way is to stay on 152 North for a few more miles...you'll see a concrete place on the left, make a sweeping left curve, see a sawmill on the left, and make a left at the bridge just past the sawmill before the sweeping right curve. That is the other end of Craig Road. Watch your speed coming up 52. Every little place is a speed trap. You can eat in Fort Gay...but there isn't anything actually there except for a little place called Chester Fried Chicken that is in the gas station on the right...you go cross the bridge into Louisa, KY and you'll find a pleathora of places such as a Burger King to your right and a KFC down the way to the left. There is also the Pit Stop right on 52 North that has sandwiches. Gas is cheaper in Fort Gay than Wayne...FYI. On the Wayne side of things, there is the Pioneer Restaurant which is located near the Wayne Community Center on the south side of the hill that is the town. There is also a Pioneer Motel there if you wish to stay the night. There is nothing going through Wayne to eat...if you want to eat beyond there, go just past the high school turnoff to the Wal-Mart plaza. There is a KFC, Wendy's, China King, and Rocky Top's Pizza. Just past the Wal-Mart turnoff, there is the Family Restaurant, which specializes in home cooked meals. If you have any questions, let me know and I'll help you out as best I can. Have a safe trip!

Don't forget that while everyone there was impressed with Graham, they beat Wayne 6-0 on a TD with 25 seconds left to win what to that point had been a dead heat of a scrimmage. Wayne certainly didn't look dominate, but as I said earlier, to have lost 8 starters on offense and 5 or 6 on defense (not including a returner who didn't play a snap on defense all day), they didn't get embarrassed by a couple of potentially GREAT football teams. And no one will argue that Wayne is better athletically than those teams. These scrimmages take out the part of the game that Wayne has excelled in under Harmon...preparation. Sure, you prepare your own stuff, but for scrimmages, you don't prepare for what your opponents do. When you take the preparation out, it comes down to athletes. No one on Wayne's schedule runs the stuff Richlands did, and on top of that, no one on Wayne's schedule is as fundamentally sound AND physical upfront as Graham was. Wayne made a couple of plays and hung on for dear life at the end of the Richlands scrimmage, but more good than harm came out of it all.

As crazy as it sounds, Bluefield getting quick scores might not be a good thing come 4th quarter if Graham matches them...cuz that Beaver defense could spend the entire night on the field...Bluefield needs to sustain some drives. No matter what anyone says...even with two way players...its a lot more taxing on defense than offense...

A lot of people seem to forget that Wayne only has 3 starters back on offense from last year...and played most of yesterday without 2 of the new starters on offense. Wayne has a TON of work to do up front. Got eaten alive on runs between the tackles on each side of the ball. Defensively, both those guys that I mentioned before were returning starters...one missed the entire day except for two offensive plays against Graham, and the other missed half the Richlands scrimmage. Wayne lost the runner-up for the Huff Award (WV's best defensive player) from last year and is actually a little young this year. Wayne only has 10 seniors on its roster...9 of them will play, and only 6 saw significant time last year....and only 3 were on either side of the ball in the state championship game last year...So yeah...you saw a work-in-progress in regards to Wayne yesterday. But I trust the Pioneer coaching staff to get things rolling in the right direction. Getting shoved around and having weaknesses exposed at this time of the year is NOT a bad thing. Still time to work on things. Better to happen now than to happen in the state semifinals (which is what happend in 05) or championship game (04). Oh yeah, and Martinsburg was not defending state champs...they got beat bad in the AAA title game. Parkersburg is the class of WV this year. They have the top OG in the country in Josh Jenkins and rolled everyone last year...with the bulk of their team coming back.

One TD was a half and half...#6 was in the secondary on the first TD pass, and I know he was a starter...

I couldn't gauge Wayne either...and I've been watching them play for years. Couldn't run the ball. Pass protected pretty well. Threw it alright. Run defense was alright (Graham wore them down on the final drive with their size)...pass d was respectable once they got the deer in the headlights look out against Richlands...and that was without one of the starting DB's and a starting LB who got dinged midway through the Richlands scrimmage. So I mean...not used to seeing teams control Wayne and push them around like that...but in the end...Wayne really held their own. For the record, Richlands did have some different guys in their front 7, but they had at least parts of their starting secondary in for the two TD passes (#6 and #12 on the first...#6, #12, and Fuller on the second). Wayne didn't look horrible against Graham...the final was 6-0 and Graham scored with 25 seconds left. The rest of that scrimmage was pretty much even. I didn't stay for the Bluefield quarter...one of my travelling party doesn't handle heat well. I wanted to see it...that 40-yard JV scrimmage was entertaining if nothing else.

Just wanted to give a big thank you to all the people who organized and planned the event. I've kept up on here with the work done to Mitchell Stadium and know it looked very nice today....obviously a lot of long hours to get it ready in time, and I appreciate it. For the Richlands fans, as someone who is intrigued with the process when it comes to offense, it was very easy to see that you guys put in a ton of work on offense. I sat next to Austin Fuller's aunt and she gave me some of the details as to his maturation and scholarship opportunity. Richlands played hard, quick, and clean. Good football team that would be fun to root for (but difficult when you're pulling for the other team). Its obvious it takes a sound mind and a ton of work to run the concepts within their offense. Graham impressed me with their grit. They were charging ahead whether anyone was there or not. The polar opposite of Richlands. They were painfully simple (and I like that)...they just exerted their will on people. Good football to watch. Defense was strong. Bluefield was as quick as you'd expect and that turf certainly did nothing to slow them down. I only saw their game with George Wythe, and yes they had some issues in that game, but the athleticism is obvious, and any team forced to play them on turf is going to struggle with them. All in all, I had a great time. The people were nice and it accomplished what it set out for...challenging scrimmages. Everyone there had something exposed...which is good because at this point, you have time to fix it. And it was some darn good football to watch.

Come on Tom...Bluefield didn't play Wayne last year...

Last 10 years for Wayne: 2006- 12-2, State Champion 2005- 12-1, State Semifinalist 2004- 13-1, State Runner-up 2003- 8-4, State Quarterfinalist 2002- 10-3, State Semifinalist 2001- 9-1, First Round 2000- 13-1, State Runner-up 1999- 7-4, First Round That's 8 years and 2 trips less to Wheeling than Bluefield (99, 02, 03, 04, 05). Bluefield had off teams in '00 and '01. Wayne didn't make the playoffs in 98, and went 0-10 in 97. So if you want to be totally honest, Bluefield has been more consistant over the past 10 years...but if you only want to go 8, Wayne's been more CONSISTANT, simply because 2 of those Bluefield teams didn't make the playoffs and 5 of those Wayne teams made at least the semifinals while all reached the playoffs. It's nothing worth arguing about. Bluefield and Wayne have been the 2 best in AA over an extended period of the last 10 years. There have been flashes, but those two programs have been the most consistant, and Bluefield has won both meetings in that span.

You're exactly right. This program hadn't been beaten like that since a 43-8 loss to Poca in '98. The kids on that team...it came easy to them. Bluefield hit them in the mouth. It hardened them to overcoming adversity. We were supposed to win in 2005 with that senior class...but we lost to Weir. It would have been real easy for this program to have just said "we can't win it" and quit. But you're exactly right, the guys took it the right way and worked to get better. There were bumps along the way (Sissonville and Tolsia), but it was better to have some deficiences exposed in the regular season...our coaching staff is very good and had time to correct them. This year's seniors were very successful growing up...they won two Tri-State Midget League championships, the Wayne County Middle School championship, and now a state championship. The funny thing is, they were never undefeated through all of that. They were always battle-tested and came through when it mattered. We may or may not get back to Wheeling over the next couple of years...those things are NEVER a given. But the program has the opportunity to continue to be very good another 5-6 years, and its definately something that is very exciting. That '04 Bluefield team was the same one we played in '02 plus Davis and Repass...lol. They were great, but you know, if they hadn't taken those lumps in '01, they might have still won it all, but it wouldn't have been in that fashion. With the schedule Bluefield plays, anytime there iis an undefeated Beaver team in the playoffs...that's not good for the rest of the playoff field...haha. You guys are having "struggles" that most other programs would kill to have. I know with McClanahan and Ponder back, among others, you guys will be right in the thick of things again next season...and with programs like Bluefield, state championships can come at ANY time...expected or not. I wish Wayne and Bluefield could play in the regular season. Wayne would come out on the short end more times than not probably, but getting to see that kind of speed (you can't simulate it) in the regular season...perhaps it would help in the postseason. I think they'd be real good ballgames year in, year out anyway. As long as we don't have to play you on turf...unless it's for a championship...by that point, it doesn't matter who you play...lol.

This is to the poster who laughed at someone who had Wayne as a pre-season #1...saying something to the affect of "are you kidding me, didn't Bluefield beat them by 45 last time they played"...and automatically dismissed the Pioneers: Yes, Bluefield's juggernaut '04 team did a number on us...they were 28-30 points better, and we shot ourselves in the foot on top of that...after graduating 40 seniors and 8 1st team all-state players over the past two years (04 and 05 seasons), this year, Wayne won the AA championship. Don't count Wayne's program out because of one bad game. I'd just like for that poster to realize what is said about teams that may not be in the SWVA area is still seen by some of us "outsiders". I like to point out when people show their complete lack of knowledge...and I'm as guilty of it as anyone...I'm the idiot who thought Mount View would beat Graham this year...I missed that one BAD....lol.