gomavs

This Saturday at 1:30 in Ravenswood.

I don't know if it'll be by a little or a lot, but after thinking and studying on this match-up all week, I look for James Monroe to pull out a win in this one. Ironically, it's their two losses to North Cross and Bluefield that give me the most confidence in them winning this one. If I'm correct, the last time James Monroe was taken out in a 1st round game was in '03 to eventual state champion Poca. They made it to round 2 the next year and have made it to no less than round 3 the past four seasons, one of those being a championship game appearance. I'm going to side with this recent string of post-season experience. They are heading down tomorrow and will be spending the night so hopefully that means they'll be ready to go come 1:30 on Saturday.

Barring a complete meltdown, Bluefield should roll through this first round game. Serves Liberty Raleigh right. They steer clear of Bluefield during regular season. They drop James Monroe off of their regular season schedule. Well, they've made it to the playoffs so best of luck to them. This game is merely a formality.

I couldn't agree with you more on all these points. At this point in the season, I can only describe JM as decent. I'm waiting to see who's first to become the standout.

What channel are you watching this game on? ESPN2? I was watching the end of the Syracuse game on ESPN2, but then as soon as it switched over to the Western Michigan game, the screen went black and a message popped up saying that programming wasn't available in my area (I live in Peterstown). I have Directv so I called to see what that was about since ESPN2 is a part of the package I'm subscribed to and they said that that particular game was being blacked out in my area by the network (ESPN2). That's a crock.

I don't know if any JM band members frequent this board and might hop into this thread to read about the game, but if you do, I want to also give you props. You guys and gals are impressive too and the half time show last night was great. The band has come a long, long way from where it was a few years back. Thanks, Mr. James!! Good luck come Orange Bowl time!!

Congratulations to Bluefield. I'll have to admit, Bluefield's passing game is impressive! Nice throws, excellent routes, good blocking. Without a doubt, the Beavers were the better team and I'll say now they'll drive far into playoffs. James Monroe played better than I expected, but just couldn't stop the pass. I hope these two teams square up again next year, and the next year, and the next....

I know the AAU situation you're talking about. What you witnessed was fall-out from the school season. What happened during the season mostly involved players (some, but not all players, of course). Big, ugly mess.

I really hope you've heard wrong. Same classification, close in proximity, a growing rivalry, excellent competition, good gate money, and as far as I know, I think the fans and students on both sides behave during and after the games. Lots of reasons why it would be a shame if that football series came to an end. James Monroe did end the girls basketball series with Bluefield for this upcoming season. If they meet up, it’ll be in the Greenbrier West tournament or in sectionals/regionals, but it won’t be because they are scheduled to play. Before anyone says anything, I personally know the situation and it has nothing at all to do with winning or not winning. Matter of fact, James Monroe’s varsity girls played Bluefield three times last season and beat them all three times, at home, in Lindside and in sectionals, but there were some during game and post game problems and activities which caused James Monroe to pull the plug on that series, at least for the time being anyway. I wouldn't think that would have had an impact on football scheduling, but I guess it's possible. Maybe if there's talk of James Monroe dropping Bluefield it's in relation to girls basketball only.

I hate to say it, but based on lots of different reasons, I'll have to agree that James Monroe is the underdog in this one.

Something sure seems to be missing this year. No excitement. No passion. No something. Coach Witt was high strung and would throw his fits on the sideline (which I always enjoyed watching) and I know some don't respond well to that, but at this point in the season based on what I've seen, I'm starting to wonder if maybe the team didn't feed somewhat off of that and play with more emotion themselves. I agree with you 100% on the drive right before the half. That was a very nice drive. The thought that crossed my mind then was if they can do that in just a little over a minute, then why do they look as though they are struggling the rest of the game.

Typically I only get to see Narrows play once a season, but the team I watched play last night was one of the better Narrows teams I've seen in a while. I think last night showed why these two teams still play each other. Huge crowd. Good atmosphere. Good sportsmanship. I saw several times where a player would help the opposing player up, even as late as the second half when things were on the line. To sum it up, a hard fought, defensive battle. I did not expect to see the maveroosky play that James Monroe pulled when they were punting out of their own end zone. That had "what are you thinking?!" written all over it, but it worked. I appreciate trick plays thrown in at the least expected time. The crazier the better because when they work, they can change the course of a game. When they don't, then you hunker down and continue to play the defensive game you have been playing. Good luck to Narrows the rest of the season. You will definitely win more games.

They were generous hosts. :)

What would've been worse is to have lost after having received 10 turnovers!!! If that would've happened, I would be feeling pretty terrible this morning.

I don't see it coming back. Too many hated it. I hated it at first, but after a period of time, it grew on me and I actually developed a respect for it. While watching the game the other night, I did find myself wondering if things might be different if they were still running it. It'll be interesting to watch how they develop over the season. They did seem to improve somewhat as the night went on. Interesting season ahead.

The couple of news articles I've read on Wayne say they lost little and are reloaded for this 2008 season. Undoubtedly, a very hard game for James Monroe to open the season with. A James Monroe win and I'll feel pretty good about this season. A close loss and I'll still be happy. It's hard to predict exactly how James Monroe will respond to this challenge because there are just too many new things going on. One thing for certain, I won't be surprised to see a HUGE crowd in Lindside on Friday night. It's the equivalent of opening with a playoff game. If there's an internet stream planned for this game, I'm not aware of it.

I hope the line matures and settles in quickly. Loosing so many starting linemen to graduation last year is a concern.

I left James Monroe's season opener against Narrows last season saying it was going to be a long, rough year. If someone would've told me that night that a trip to Wheeling would come at the end of the season, I would've told them they were crazy.

It's true.

[ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Witt may have officially retired in January, but I had heard early in the season that he would be retiring after the season was over so I think it's safe to say that he's known for a while he was leaving. The part as to who would take over remained to be seen though. As for Narrows, it typically makes for a good gate game and a school needs at least a couple of those each season. Plus Narrows and JM (the Peterstown part of JM, that is) go way back so there's a rivalry there. In my opinion, though, that series is probably nearing an end. [/ QUOTE ] I believe you're probably right. I can remember those games - hard-hitting, heated contests (not confined just to the field, either. ) But those days seem gone for now and continuing to play Narrows only hurts JM as far as playoffs are concerned. I don't understand why we would not schedule Graham. I don't believe Graham "skeers" us so much that we wouldn't play, considering we play Bluefield, Scott and Wayne. I actually think the Graham game could develop into a really good rivalry, just like Bluefield has for us. [/ QUOTE ] The Narrows/JM game definitely seems to be missing the spark that the Narrows/Peterstown game once laid claim to. But the schools are so close in proximity that it still makes for some decent money. I personally would like to at least see it replaced with Giles (nothing personal, Narrows, just my preference). I'm really glad to see Scott and Wayne on the schedule. And I wouldn't mind seeing Graham there either. Don't know the reason or what's going on behind the scenes. Hard to say.

Witt may have officially retired in January, but I had heard early in the season that he would be retiring after the season was over so I think it's safe to say that he's known for a while he was leaving. The part as to who would take over remained to be seen though. As for Narrows, it typically makes for a good gate game and a school needs at least a couple of those each season. Plus Narrows and JM (the Peterstown part of JM, that is) go way back so there's a rivalry there. In my opinion, though, that series is probably nearing an end.

[ QUOTE ] I see they still have some cream puffs on the schedule... [/ QUOTE ] Actually, after having some teams drop JM this year and knowing the problems Bluefield has had with scheduling, I've come to the opinion that the real creampuffs are those teams that run and hide and won't come out and play!!!!

[ QUOTE ] Not to make fun of you, but the $$AC is all about the money and only care about the kids because they bring in the money. The kids are nothing more than a paycheck to the $$AC. They care about nothing else... [/ QUOTE ] Boy, what a shame. I've stupidly assumed for years that the participating schools got a little something from it. At least a small percentage to put back into their programs since they earned and deserve it.

[ QUOTE ] all of bluefield went up thursday i believe... [/ QUOTE ] I was told the starters went up on Wed by the parent of one of the Bluefield 9th grade players and so I assumed it was correct.

JM went up on Thursday morning so I'm guessing they stayed Thursday and Friday nights? I had heard that Bluefield's starters went up on Wednesday and the rest of the team went up Thursday? How about the bands -- do they foot their own bills to Wheeling or is any of it covered? Also, does anyone know if or how much each participating school gets out of the ticket sales? Or does it all go to the WVSSAC? I read previously that the attendance at the AA was around 4,200. If we say half were students and half were adults, that's roughly around $29,000 in ticket sales. Do the two schools get some of that (I hope).