old_school_blue

An ass-kickin' is an ass-kickin'.

Disagree on 1993. Richlands scrimmaged @ Giles before the 1993 regular season and physically punished them. Richlands finished 7-3 on the season and was ineligible for the playoffs, would have made a deep, deep run. That being said, on my point about state titles, if Richlands had competed in Division 2 in 1993 (assuming eligibility) and 2005, the count would be Richlands 4 titles, Giles 2. BTW, I believe Thad Wells was the QB on the 2005 team.

I would wager given the level of competition in which Giles' initial titles were won, if Richlands was then in the same classification, Giles would not have 4 titles and Richlands would have more than 2. Seems like you may want to lay off the sauce for a while...anyone on this site that reads my posts knows very well that I have never worshiped Greg Mance. That is laughable and shows that you have no damn idea what you are talking about. And trust me when I tell you...no one in Richlands is sad that you are no longer a Richlands fan. Don't go away mad...just go away.

If my memory is correct, he made the appropriate changes on special teams and began keeping his best players on the field, which led to a state title. I think he will do just fine here. Changes have been needed at Richlands for a couple of years, I am glad Thad is home and hope he stays a while. I hope he catches fire and eventually runs into Giles in the playoffs, should have a little different result than that quagmire a couple of years ago.

Coal Canyon Miners.....that is a classic.

Has the time/date been announced yet?

Excellent post! I was thinking along the same lines with other coaches you mentioned. Hard to muster the effort to respond to other posters when you know you can't change their minds. People have their opinions, which they are certainly entitled to. Vaught obviously wasn't perfect, but, he would rather eat shoe leather than lose. I can personally say that I never heard any racial slurs from Vaught. But I have seen him melt players and coaches down. A couple of years ago, I recall seeing an article about Harry Fry. Fry was pictured on the sideline during a game while smoking. I thought, boy..how times have changed. One thing about Vaught...he was a winner. He took Lexington and Richlands to state titles when neither school had won a championship.

At least you spelled his name right. Other than your trash comment, you didn't argue with his football knowledge. I would dare to say from Lexington to PH-Roanoke to Tazewell to Richlands, 99% of the players that played for him would fight you, at the drop of the hat over him. He didn't care what your last name was or how much money your family had, the best played. I count myself lucky that I had the opportunity to be around him.

At least spell his name right. He's forgotten more football than most know.

It was actually 52-38. Two touchdown game, not a blowout.

Agreed (to agree to disagree.)

If the refs don't make that call and Richlands scores.....even if it is a field goal. The Beavers do not smash it in the second half. Like I said, I feel that was a game changing call. Momentum is part of the game, it should be decided by players and coaches, not officials. Normally not the first to say "home cookin'." But that was Sunday dinner at Granny Beavers.

I am the last Richlands fan to complain about officiating . However, the onside kick call is probably the worst I have ever seen in a football game at any level. It was complete horseshit. Richlands had scored two consecutive touchdowns and the momentum from the recovery could have certainly propelled them to another. The call affected the game flow and most certainly the end result. It was painfully obvious the officials ran the call of the rails to halt or freeze Richlands' momentum. I would not let this crew work a youth league game. Completely despicable. I agree with Ryan, time to kill the series. This is not a knock on the Beavers or their fans, only the officials. # 54 for Bluefield was a pretty classy player.

Hard to disagree with that. Mitchell was phenomenal, he was more of a throwback old school football player. When needed, he could carry his team.

If you take the quarterback of last year's Graham team.....they do not win a state title.....probably not in the finals. He was the most dynamic play-maker I saw in years. And that is the only Graham title running spread. Carlock was a wishbone man.

Appo was 5 scores better??????Richlands was up 2 touchdowns with 6 minutes left. Put down the shovel and stop digging!!!

What you do not understand is mentality. 3 yards and a cloud of dust wins championships.....If we had more dust against Appo a couple years ago (21-6 lead with 6 minutes left in 4th) Richlands would have won a state title. In football, maliciousness beats creativity.....Union wore us out running four plays. That is what Turner likes...that what his father liked....beating teams up physically....making people quit...winning through attrition. From a coaching standpoint, I would rather beat you to death and make you quit...that is more satisfying...that is what you don't understand......it's not about blocking 10 people...it about whipping their ass until they backpedal every play.......

You cannot compare De La Salle to Richlands. That in itself is simply ridiculous....although I am sure Mance would salivate at the athletes found at such a school. Answer me this....(1) In the last twenty years, when Richlands has the "winningest" coach in the area and a program you are comparing to De La Salle, why have they (Richlands) only won one state championship. And..(2)...How have they only won one when they have found themselves in five or six title games and have only faced one team in the finals better than they were (Monticello...my opion of course...however, I will argue.)

Here's a fresh idea for ya! Get out of the Spread. You have two guys that are 6'5" or 6'6" (Whited and Cox.) Put them at TE, load the backfield with your speed, select your best five linemen (that would include Ethan Phipps) and run the damn ball. That was easy, take all the receivers off the field and make them running backs.

"The offensive highlights for Richlands were created by 5-11 sophomore Sage Webb. After being hounded by the Union secondary in the first two quarters, Webb was moved to the backfield in the second half and responded with 80 yards rushing on 14 carries." (Excerpt from today's Bristol Herald Courier.) Before the game, I thought 28-6 Union. Played out like I thought. Union wore Richlands down and blew them up at the end. To me, 26-3 is not close nor is it a moral victory. At this point, Richlands needs to slow down the game and control the clock more. They have the kids to do this, IMO. As I said before the game, Webb is more effective in the backfield....and you still have Steele and # 42.

Turner will come out tonight in the double tight "T" and run the ball, just like Gate City. It works. Richlands needs to get away from the two platoon system and put the BEST ELEVEN on the field. He has three pretty good running backs (# 42, # 5 and # 4), no experienced quarterbacks and no dynamic play-maker at receiver (Webb is more effective taking hand offs.) The defense would benefit from extended offensive possessions. Best eleven on the field works, ask Thad Wells. Massive changes needed, Air Mance needs to turn into ground and pound.

Well Ryan, it appears he was there at least half a season. Next time you throw a sarcasm grenade, pull the pin. From what I saw, he was pretty damn good.

Also, the second inside linebacker for Graham should be on the list. They were a hell of a pair.

Ethan Phipps from Richlands should be in there somewhere. I really dislike the way these post-season all district/all region teams are put together.

# 65 for Goochland is a STUD!!