I’m a bit edgy that Graham will be facing a D1 athlete. That’s what King William threw at them last year after all. The power run was something Ridgeview just didn’t have the people to stop. Appomattox may or may not have the personnel, I don’t know. If Smith stops it with a scheme, the really interesting twist will be if Graham discovers what that scheme left exposed. All of Graham’s weapons were not seen today.
It is just really hard to displace teams that are “entrenched” in the later part of the playoffs year after year. Teams like Appomattox and Graham. Much of that goes to coaches that know how to prepare for the end run.
As a Bluefield transplant now in the Roanoke/Central Virginia area, I’ve have been able to watch a good many teams this year all the way up to 6A. I will say this I have not seen a team this year that could match what Graham has across the line, especially on defense. I’ve watched Salem, Fleming, and most all the other Roanoke area schools with the exception of Glenvar and I think Graham handles them all with ease with the exception of Liberty Christian. Graham would even bruise their 2 closest 6A schools. An LCA matchup would be interesting. That bunch is just weird good. They don’t look like much at a glance but are surgical. Graham’s athleticism, strength, and speed of pursuit from their bigs is pretty rare, especially at the 2A level. I have never seen Ridgview and can’t comment on how they match up. All I know is from the ball I’ve watched this fall, there are very few that have a program moving from the headsets to the handoffs like Graham has.
Watched that episode again. Hats off to #52 Radford for being the adult on the field. You represented yourself well. Such a contrast to watch all that knowing Coach Smith was on the other sideline. If he brings a team back to Mitchell, I’ll make the drive home to watch them.
Wow. Graham getting seriously hosed by the refs. Seems to me the quality of officiating at the high school level has dropped off in a big way everywhere.
Graham didn’t stop Bluefield’s running game by brute force. Graham had great LOS pursuit speed and disguised athleticism that is hard for high school teams to match. They could plain out shed blocks and fly through gaps. Bluefield had their chances to win through the air. If Tazewell capitalizes on the same opportunities, who knows. I honestly think the first thing they have to do is get over being Tazewell. A win against the G-Men right now could do just that.
A beautiful unseasonably cool evening will unfold as Cave Spring travels south to do battle with the Franklin County Eagles. Franklin County returns an extremely capable QB and unquestionably the most exciting RB I’ve seen since Bradshaw. Jalen Lee was a stand out last year and I’ve never seen any player play every down like it was his last like this guy. It will be well worth anyone’s time to catch his action against quality teams this year on Rocky Mount’s Cable 12 Facebook broadcasts. The Eagles handle the Knights in this one but one will still come away scratching one’s head at the simplicity of schemes.
Talk is talk. But the posturing, punch to the face, and that strange prissy dance one particular player did after every play in the second half of the fourth is another. They won a game they deserved to win, just didn’t win respect here. Am I the only one that found watching Claiborne was a like a blast from the past when a certain #2 wore the G star?
As someone that had to endure Graham/Appo I, I will add this. Graham needs to control the field position game and keep Appo on a long field. The running game is hard enough to stop but it’s even worse when you have to stop it 4 times instead of 3.
As a hometown transplant now in central Virginia, I don’t get to stay as attached and informed with Graham football as much as I used to be. However I watched last night’s game and was very impressed. I too, found the QB play to be excellent. The playmakers around him are impressive as well. Lots of energy and effort from whoever touches the ball. That kind of effort will wear teams down. The defense,,,wow. As this team grows and cleans up they will be impressive.
This game was won under the headset of the Appomattox head coach. I bet he would probably say this game worked out exactly like he planned and envisioned it. Yes Graham got a terrible call on the punt return. Yes Graham dropped a crucial pass. Yes Graham blew two coverages. The bottom line as I saw it was the fact that Appomattox could run for 3-4 yards whenever they wanted. The game was slowed way down. Heck, even the refs where slowing it down with the impeachment hearings on every call. I knew Graham was in trouble on the first drive. When the second half started I made the comment that Appomattox didn’t want another point, all they wanted was time and that was almost exactly what happened. I was disappointed, but I’m always a bit satisfied when the team that won deserved it. Graham had the talent to deserve it but didn’t get it done.
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Appo vs Graham
in SWVA Football
Posted
I’m a bit edgy that Graham will be facing a D1 athlete. That’s what King William threw at them last year after all. The power run was something Ridgeview just didn’t have the people to stop. Appomattox may or may not have the personnel, I don’t know. If Smith stops it with a scheme, the really interesting twist will be if Graham discovers what that scheme left exposed. All of Graham’s weapons were not seen today.