old_school_blue

@Hokie1Pokie @old_school_blue
I made a snarky comment that he had spewed more racial slurs than most coaches, but I do want to clarify a couple of points.  First, I'm not calling Dennis Vaught a racist, and, frankly, I doubt he is one. It wasn't my intent to imply he's one either. That would be a serious accusation and there's no evidence for me to make that claim.   I do think there's a difference between uttering a racist comment (which is bad) and actually being a true racist (which is far worse). I think DV would have started a card-carrying member of the Nation of Islam if he thought it would've helped him win a game.
Many years ago, I was discussing DV with a long-time high school official.  He told me Dennis Vaught was one of the most likable people you'll ever meet until it came down to winning a ball game. He said competition would change him from a mild-mannered gentlemen into a raging madman.  He said the Vaught was a football genius but couldn't control his win-at-all-costs mentality.
Secondly, I don't think anyone can question his football acumen (two titles in five years with two different programs that had never won before).  
I believe those of you who say he's a good man who made some mistakes.  Dennis Vaught left a sad and sordid legacy.  We'll never know what might have been, but he was certainly on his way to becoming one the most successful coaches in VHSL history.  
 

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.

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

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

PM me your cell number and I’ll show you the video to prove you wrong. 
When the ball was kicked there was 4 on one side and 6 on the other. And that, sir, is legal. 

Awwww. Welcome to the board. That’s a real sick burn ya got there. 
Good luck to Bluefield the rest of the way. They played hard and classy. Too bad the refs from their association are 💩 and that makes this series need to end just like it did in 2003. 

One questionable? The kick was one. And it cost us a 7 point halftime lead with us having ALL of the momentum and getting the ball back. If that happens and Richlands scores again to go up 14, is that game still the same? Not saying we win, because Bluefield is good in their own right. 
But what about when Richlands has a stop on 3rd and long and a facemask call where the defender was wrapped around his waist? Or the missed offensive pass interference in the 2nd half? 
There were several calls where Richlands had big plays to change momentum, and a set of 7 old guys decided it wasn’t to be. 
Let the kids play ball and stay out of being the star of the show. 

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. 

We can agree to disagree. I say Bluefield smashed second half regardless if Richlands scores and has momentum going into the half. It was one bad call, otherwise, penalties were pretty much even it seemed to me. With a 52-31 score it's hard to blame.loss on one call IMO and no disrespect intended  we just see it differently. 

Well, it's impressive to see what happens when Richlands decides to be a run first oriented offense and makes the pass the second option.  Richlands destroyed Abingdon on the ground.  Look at the disparity between rush yards and pass yards which Richlands had.  That formula makes Richlands a dangerous football team because they have the guys up front that can block.  It also takes possessions away from your opponent.  See what Union did to Graham with the run oriented offense, but also throwing it fairly efficiently when needed.  It's interesting that for win 200 for Mance, this took place for Richlands on the offensive side of the ball, but the difference in rushing yards and passing yards for a Richlands team was noticeable.  If Richlands stays with this type of offensive mind, they have the ability to win Region D.  I don't think they will and they ain't favored, but Richlands has always had some tough guys up front and when they decide to become a run first oriented offense, while still passing efficiently when they need to, it completely changes the completion of games with Richlands.  Abingdon found that out.  Will Mance and Richlands stay with the ground game first or is this just a one time event?  We will see.  I hope folks at least realize what happened in this game though.  It wasn't air raid Richlands pass.  It was old school Richlands.  

Union had a dynamic D1 athlete in 2017 as well but fell behind in the semis and ran out of time coming back. Allen was absolutely fantastic but I'm not sure he was head and shoulders ahead of Mitchell as an athlete. QB, 100% for sure no doubt but as an athlete, Mitchell was comparable. Hard to compare different positions. 

I think the most unwise decision Mance made in 2016 was getting rid of Snake , messed with team's mojo. He'd probably tell you that himself now. With that said, Mance is a great coach and he stays at Richlands for all eternity if he wants. I'd like to see him step up to college level somewhere when he decides to retire from HS. I think he could be an asset to programs like UVA-Wise, Bluefield College or elsewhere. He's a definite VHSL future Hall of Famer. As for rest of this season, I'd say he'll figure it out. By end of season, no one will want to meet them in first round of playoffs. 

Ryan, I didn't see the game and admit that. I did listen to it. I still believe it goes back to a thread preseason where I critiqued Richlands offensive culture. I watched it with Appo and I watched it with T. Ashby and Poqouson. It's critical to have some kind of a run culture. I've seen it with Texas Tech and Oregon over the years. What I'm getting at is this......if you don't have a run oriented or at least an offense that can run it when it wants, the tell-tale signs occur in the red zone where the defensive backs do not have to cover as much field, and it makes it a bit easier to play pass defense, and often teams that aren't at least a little bit run oriented often end up settling for field goals. I know penalties and several other things can also cause issues inside the 20, but I've said this before and will say it again. Run the ball Richlands.
That 92 Richlands team was one of the absolutely LEAST athletic teams I've seen at Richlands. Some of the GC title teams weren't overly athletic when talking about their last two, but from tackle to tackle, they were vicious. Richlands needs a culture shift on offense. They have had the bigs and some strong dudes up front for years, and they got s kid now that should be getting 20-25 carries per game and is electric, yet they want to send him on a 15 and out route on first down which kills the drive. 
Only my take.

Thats where you're wrong, and Union just proved it.  Lets say were trying to run in the A gaps, in the spread you're running Inside Zone against 4 guys (typically 2 DTs and 2 LBs) at the high school level, in the T you're running FB Dive against the same 4 guys. Plus your math is wrong; 5 OL + 2 TEs + 2 backs + 1 QB = 10 but the defense has to respect the pass and theyre not gonna put more than 9 in the box, if they go 10 then play action is there all day. 
I get the concept of relying on fewer blocks to gain yards but what you lose is deception, its hard to be sure who has the ball when Union is running Dive/Belly all night, and unsure linebackers play flat footed and slow. 
Spread offense may be fun to watch but you know whats not fun to watch? An offense that only scores 3 points. 
Plus dont forget 2 TE, 2 Back, shotgun ...

They are playing for a FG because they know it is a sure thing.  They aren't concerned if they don't score 6 because they know Levi has their back...there is not urgency to get a TD.  They have to get out of that mentality and score 6...period.  And I'm not talking about two FGs...

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.

Gillespie (42) and Tarter both missed the 2nd halves last night. Altizer is also out a while. Defense played amazing football for a half and then got tired when the offense couldn’t put the ball in the end zone. Should have been at least 21-0 at halftime. You have to score when you’re inside the 25. 
Glad we have a week off to rest and try to figure something out. This schedule doesn’t get any easier for a while. 

I think you skipped the Wild Turkey and went straight to Crack!
 

If you don't believe the T is their bread and butter then you have not watched the same Union team I have since 2011.  Also, when you say "spread" do you simply mean shotgun? I have seen Union run an actual one back, spread formation very few times. It's mostly a 2 back shotgun that they run a crossbuck out of, or a single back with one or more other backs lined up as wings to run jet sweeps.

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.

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.

I get the spreading it around but on the other hand recognition should go to the superior players. A lot of folks these days have that "participation trophy" mentality. It's a situation, you're damned if you do, damned if you don't...so let's opt for spreading it around. That makes more people feel good.