builder

The annual Coalfield Conference Bench Press Meet will be held at Liberty High School on Friday, May 26 at 6:00 pm. Any thoughts on the competition? Westside is the 2 time defending champ in the team competition. Should be close with Sherman, Westside, and Liberty being the favorites. Last year's best lifts were around the 365 pound range(strict competition rules). Last year's best overall lifter was from Sherman had a difference of 148 pounds between his actual weight and his best press(360).

Bluefield overcame some key losses from last years team and came back as strong, if not stronger than last year. I personally did not know if they would be able to replace the two guards they had last year. Their offensive line, although somewhat undersized, played well through out the year. The running backs played well. I really liked the Purdue kid(small but quick and tough). The quarterback matured quite well from '03 to '04. The transfer or two really seemed to help the overall chemistry of the team. The Bluefield players, coaches, and fans have a tremendous amount to be proud of. The tradition continues. The rest of us will have to continue to strive for that tradition and respect. Again - Conratulations to all associated with Bluefield Football.

West Virginia football teams, players, and fans alike have been given the proverbial shaft by the WVSSAC. Everyone that keeps up with football in the state knows that an ineligible player participated for Weir in a couple of their victories. We also know that the ruling was made to not punish Weir for this "adninistrative blunder." Not only has the WVSSAC not given a public statement to clarify their ruling, they do not intend to. The powers that be in Parkersburg have decided that it is best for the general public (principals and athletic directors included) to be uninformed of the details of this situation. I do not know all the details involved but I think it is only fair that the schools in WV have this information to help avoid another situation of this manner. A school should be held accountable for mistakes as they have been in the past. The WVSSAC should come off of their high horse and explain, in detail, all the circumstances involved. Does Weir HS and WVSSAC have some sort of Doctor/Patient confidentiality. The people of WV deserve better. The team/teams that could possibly be affected by this ruling for the playoffs should be irate. Everyone involved in WV high school sports should call the WVSSAC and demand an explanation. WVSSAC (304)485-5494.

The Sherman vs Liberty game should be one of the better games this week. #4 vs #5 - Someone is going to get some points that will be needed in the upcoming weeks. Sherman is traditionally strong but Liberty has been growing. Should be interesting.

Is scheduling opponents for the schools the only characteristic that makes you an official conference? The Coalfield Conference does a good job promoting their school's athletes. They do a good job in scheduling conference events. As far as I know, the conference does everything a conference should do. The majority of the coaches did not want the conference sceduling games for them. They took a vote. A vote; that sounds like something "official" conference members would do. They do have conference champions in each sport for each class. With the AAA members leaving it will only help to build the strength of the conference. It was hard to do conference competions at the AAA level with only 4 schools being in it. The conference schools should be very strong in many sports this coming 04/05 school year. Look at last years football rankings. Five out of the top 16 AA in the state were from the conference. That doesn't include Shady who narrowly missed the playoffs. Look at the schools who are members: AA - Iager, Independence, James Monroe, Liberty, Mount View, Oak Hill, Pikeview, Shady Spring, Sherman, Summers Co.,Webster Co.,Westside, and Wyoming East. A - Big Creek, Fayetteville, Gauley Bridge, Greenbrier West, Meadow Bridge, Midland Trail, Montcalm, Mount Hope, Pocahontas Co., and Richwood. Looks like their are alot of "extreme southern" schools in the conference. With the subtraction of the 4 AAA schools it has a total of 23 high schools. Sounds like an "official" conference to me.

The mythical Coalfield Conference? Explain. I cant beleive the rankings of some of these posters. It is good to be talking about football but some of these people are going to be very suprised. ex. - 10-0 could be a reality for Westside.

Bluefield Rules - Their is a difference between having a tough schedule and a killer one. Hoover could have had one of the top 4 teams in AA last year but we will never know because their schedule was so tough that they went 5-5. I admire Bluefield for the program they have and the willingness to play a tough schedule but they may have over scheduled themselves this year. Last years team could have handled it but I don't know if this one can. I hope Bluefield makes the playoffs. If they don't, it would be a shame.

I will do all three Raleigh Co. AA schools. Shady Spring's Ranked Schedule 1. Bluefield - Although they lost some key players they will still be extremely talented. One of two teams on Shady's schedule that will have more speed. Shady played them tough last year. 2. Mount View - Shady will have speed but Mount View will have more. Could be very good game if Shady can control the clock. The younger Vineyard will get his chance to step out of his brothers shadow. 3. Liberty - They have key players back on both sides of the ball. Their oline should make it an outstanding year for their quarterback and runningbacks. This is a rivalry game where Shady will be looking for a little revenge from last years 39-22 set back. 4. James Monroe - They will have some talented backs along with a decent line. They are always strong and physical and although it is always fun to watch a great single wing offense, I am just not sure they will have one. Shady did some spanking last year. 5. Scott - They lost 8 or 9 starters on both sides of the ball but will return with some talent. Their qb will be a junior and is supposed to be one of the better ones. They also return a couple of young speedsters on the outside. Not as good as last year but will have some talent. 6. Greenbrier West - Graduation left several holes including a key one at qb. They still have Fleming and he can make things happen. 7. Sissonville - I dont have a tremendous amount of info on them other than they beat Shady in a game last year that Shady thought would be cake walk. 8. Mount Hope - Will be better. They played alot of young and inexperienced kids last fall. They will be big and physical. 9. Independence - They are still in a serious rebuilding mode. I dont think they have lifted at all during this off season. 10. Summers Co. - They will have a new coach but the talent is not their right now. Shady could go 8-2 but the only sure bets would be against Indy, Mount Hope, and Summers Co. Liberty's Ranked Schedule 1. Shady Spring - Shady has almost everyone returning from a good but dissapointing team. They should have tremendous speed as displayed at the state track meet. This is the only reason I ranked them over JM. 2. James Monroe - see above description. 3. Sherman - They return some outstanding backs. They also have one of the better weight training programs in the state. QB will be a big question. They also graduated some key offensive linemen. 4. Scott - see above desription. 5. Wyoming East - They played alot of young kids last year so they will be much improved. They return their qb and an outstanding receiver. 6. Westside - They are apparently strong but lost 9 starters on both sides of the ball. 7. Independence - see above. 8. Pikeview - They will still not be very good but they will be improved. Their coaches have the program going in the right direction. 9. Summers Co. - see above. 10. Tug Valley - this isn't basketball. Liberty could also go 8-2 but the only sure bets are Tug Valley, Summers Co., Pikeview, and Independence. Independence's Ranked Schedule T1. Shady Spring and Liberty - Both teams are fairly equal. 3. Sherman 4. Wyoming East 5. Westside 6. Gr. West 7. Midland Trail - They should be improved. Coach Dean does a nice job. 8. Pikeview 9. Summers Co. 10. Richwood - Will not be very good. General comment on AA - I would hate to have Bluefield's or Herbert Hoover's schedule.

After watching last years state championships, I would say Ben Gum would be a wise choice. He dominated. If a yard was needed he got it. If 5 yards were needed he got them. Ben Thornton (I think I got the name correct) was the same type of athlete at James Monroe a few years ago. He would also be a good choice. You can coach the skills these two young men have, but you cannot coach the heart. I would feel confident in either one. If you decided to throw the ball, I dont think that there is a sane person that could argue with the choice of JR House.

I am just curious as to what everyone will have this coming season. I would start with the actual returning players(starters or backups) because you know these kids will play. Information on any player is welcomed. I just like talking football.

Previous posts have shed some light on some of the AA teams. Keeping it in the southern part of the state, what does anyone know about the following teams? Will we have more than two contenders(Bluefield and Wayne)? What do these teams have coming back? Are there any top players hidden away at these schools that will step out this fall? Southern AA - Who do they have returning? Bluefield Iager Independence James Monroe Liberty Logan Mount View Oak Hill Pikeview Scott Shady Spring Sherman Tolsia Wayne Westside Wyoming East I hope I didn't leave anyone out. If you played these teams last year or know anything about them give us some information on what they have returning.

Coalfield Conference Bench Press Meet Team Points 1. Westside 162 2. Woodrow Wilson 146 3. Sherman 104 4. Liberty 56 5. Mount View 35 6. Pikeview 32 7. Greenbrier West 30 8. Princeton 10 9. Midland Trail 10 11th and 12th Grade Division Weight Class Name School Lift 114 no competitors 123 Matthew Carden Pikeview 140 132 Joseph Wells Sherman 135 148 Ryan Sebox Sherman 235 165 Jim Tolliver Liberty 210 181 Zeke Milam Sherman 285 198 Eric Grandjean Woodrow Wilson 260 220 James Collins Sherman 295 242 Brian Kulle Midland Trail 305 275 Jeremy Saunders Sherman 345 SHW Doug Legursky Woodrow Wilson 365 8th, 9th, and 10th Grade Division Weight Class Name School Lift 114 Cody Stewart Westside 80 123 Cody Acord Westside 100 132 Anthony Ellington Woodrow Wilson 200 148 Cory Morgan Westside 185 165 Sam Milam Sherman 200 181 Cory Lovejoy Sherman 235 198 Tommy Newman Liberty 245 220 Austin Peters Woodrow Wilson 300 242 Jack Woods Princeton 280 275 Brandon Hatfield Westside 260 SHW Jesse Stroud Greenbrier West 250 Best Overall Lifter - Zeke Milam from Sherman with a press 105 pounds over his actual body weight. Over 150 lifters competed. I was at the meet. It was nice to see the such a good atmosphere at a weight lifting competition. I saw many athletes encouraging athletes from other schools. Everyone really enjoyed the meet. Info from the Beckley Register Herald.

Nice post PioneerPA. Very informative. It is nice to see the deifferent views and opinions on AA football. I can see Wayne going very deep in the playoffs if not all the way. It sounds like Shady has some very positive plans for this fall. They obviously have some fans on this board with some insight. Some posts have been made about Bluefield and James Monroe. What about the other teams in the area or in the state? It is discussions like this that make my blood boil for crisp Friday nights.

As long as the so called "Christian Schools" and single "A" Moorefield are listed as single A schools there is not a lot of room for discussion. Look at the home addresses for Wheeling Central's athletes. Some of them actually live in WV. Other than these schools, Fayetteville and Wahama should make some noise. Mount Hope will not contend but they should be much improved.

Who is going to be the studs this coming fall? Who lost what? Who will be the big suprise? If you have any information or predictions let us know. This is my potential list of playoff teams for 2004. 1. Frankfort - They have alot of talent returning. 2. Wayne - Did not loose much from a quality team. 3. Poca - You cant bet against the dots. 4. Bluefield - Lost some key players but still Bluefield. 5. Herbert Hoover - The schedule killed them in '03. 6. Weir - They have a quality program every year. 7. Tyler Con. - A bunch of speed with unproven linemen. 8. Mount View - More raw talent than anyone. 9. Liberty ® - Should be improved from '03. 10. Tolsia - AA will wish they would have stayed in A. 11. Keyser - Will be as talented as last year. 12. James Monroe - They were young in '03 but lost RB. 13. Shady Spring - Could be a little better than '03. Could also go 3 and 7. 14. Clay Co. - Always aggressive on defense. 15. Ravenswood - They were dissapointed in '03. 16. Scott/Sherman Winner- Could be a huge game. Other contenders - Westside, Webster Co., Magnolia, Grafton,and Winfield.