BeaverHokie

[ QUOTE ] Is there any blufield fan that doesnt pick Bluefield? and Is there any Graham fan that doesnt pick Graham? [/ QUOTE ] There have been a few (very few, thankfully) lean years at Bluefield, and there might be the possibility that some years, I didn't give Bluefield much chance to win. Try to pin me down on it, though, and I'll deny it. :-)

When I was listening to the radio broadcast, the two guys said that Bluefield was running a 3-5 defense, with 3 down linemen and 5 linebackers. I'm thinking it was probably a 5-3, with stand-up defensive ends. Can anyone familiar offer any insight? If it was a 5-3, was this case-specific for the Graham game? Any idea...will they only have 3 defensive backs back there for every game, or was it due to the run-oriented attack of Graham?

[ QUOTE ] Is our athletic director incapable of scheduling 10 games for football season? [/ QUOTE ] It's a problem with a shrinking state. There are less and less schools to schedule. So many consolidations doesn't help matters at all. I know a few years back, they scheduled that private school from over in Pikeville, KY. I don't think they want to do that again, as that school was loaded with talent. I heard that they recruit heavily, which many private schools do, I think, even though it's technically not legal to do so. It's sort of a shock to the system. Within 10 miles of where I live (metro Atlanta), there are 6 high schools. The 9-12 enrollments are: (Fulton County) 1785 (Alpharetta High) 2089 (Centennial High) 2061 (Chattahoochee High) 2383 (Roswell High) 1744 (North Springs High) (Gwinnett County) 2736 (Norcross High) Just outside that 10 mile range, more like 15 miles, are Duluth HS (Gwinnett County) and Sprayberry HS (Cobb County). They're 2015 and 1911 respectively. So...within 15 miles of me, I have 8 high schools, with a total enrollment of 16,729 students. Sort of shocks me, when I put it in those terms, and compare to where I was raised.

I wasn't at the game, but just looked at the pic in the BDT online article. I like them, they're easier to read than the previous blue jerseys, as these have white numbers. Those other ones were red numbers on a blue background, which was very difficult to see. I can see touches of red in the uniform, enough to make it look nice.

[ QUOTE ] Nice win for the beavers, you guys were just better tonight.When you turn the ball over its hard to come away with a win.I think that Graham will win some games, more than they lose,and I think that Bluefield will have a great season if the line comes together for them. I continue to be really impressed with David Marrs, his composure for a sophomore is exceptional. He is going to be a good one. Will Cole had a pretty good game, and I'd like to wish him luck in taking the Beavers all the way to Wheeling. Overall a good game, and even though we didn't win I don't feel really bad about the loss. The mistakes we made tonight can be corrected. Our defense is pretty solid overall and I only expect them to get better. [/ QUOTE ] It sounded like a good game, from this far away, at least. I think it's really promising how Graham played in the second half of the game, they held Bluefield's offense pretty well, to only 6 points. Did it seem Freddy Simon went conservative in the second half, to preserve the lead, or was it halftime adjustments? My dad said that Cole looked okay at QB, but he missed seeing a lot of open receivers. Considering he's still pretty new to the system there, and just a junior, maybe he's got some room to mature and advance a little.

[ QUOTE ] I listened from Tampa and the sound quality was fine, although I agree we need Jim Nelson back. [/ QUOTE ] I know I sound really "old school", but he was a heck of a treasure, and I don't know of anyone who was anywhere near as good at the high school level. His ability to convey information quickly and concisely was impressive. I could listen, and could picture the formation in my mind, due to him. The sound quality thing was more the issue of how they send the signal from the stadium to the station. It sounded like a lot of high school football games, but when WHIS used to do the games, they must have used a different technology, as it sounded fuller and richer. Compare and contrast it to listening to a Virginia Tech game with Bill Roth calling it, and the sound quality is definitely different. Maybe that's asking too much of high school football, and I ought to be happy that I can at least listen.

[ QUOTE ] who played against bluefield tonight?cause graham didnt even show up. [/ QUOTE ] Well, I wasn't there, but it sounds like Bluefield just had too good of a first half (20-0). The second half was far more even, with Graham "winning" the second half 12-6. So...could it have been nerves? Good adjustments by Marrs at the half?

[ QUOTE ] graham 12 bluefield 26 4th [/ QUOTE ] It's a final...26-12, Beavers.

Bluefield 20 Graham 6 11:00 and change left in the 4th quarter George Wythe 41 Tazewell 0 (not sure of the time)

[ QUOTE ] where can you listen on the web? [/ QUOTE ] Bluefield/Graham? http://www.network1sports.com/stations/wkoy.php

First off, I am VERY happy there is a web broadcast of the game. Sitting in Georgia, it's nice to be able to listen to the game. But is the sound quality for WKOY/Eagle typical for them? It sounds like it's being sent to the station over a common phone line, and not over any kind of broadband line. The commercials sound fine, so it's not the web part, it's the feed from the stadium to the station. And I have to say....I don't know what he's doing these days, but I sure miss Jim Nelson calling games. I get the impression he doesn't get along with Freddie, with him doing Graham, then Princeton games. These two guys calling the game are OK, and better than some we've had before, but still...

Bluefield 20 Graham 0 halftime

[ QUOTE ] It really helps when 10% of the population in the WV side has resided in the VA side over the last 10 years. [/ QUOTE ] That's a good, and interesting point. I haven't really lived in Bluefield since the late 1980s, as when I graduated college, I lived in Charleston WV, then Christiansburg VA, and now metro Atlanta for the past 4.5 years....but my question is this: Why is the Virginia side gaining population (or staying steady), while the WV side is losing a LOT of population? Is it taxes? Cheaper housing? School system? I know that the bottom has dropped out of the Bluefield WV population. It was something like 17,000+ in 1980, and I guess it's down to 11,450 or so now, right? What's causing this, in your opinion?

Looks like the FieldTurf folks (assuming that is FieldTurf) have made a fortune in the last 12 months throughout West Virginia and Virginia. I can't count the number of places that have either added new FieldTurf, or replaced old turf. Bluefield, Princeton, Martinsburg WV, Salem, Morgantown WV (?), plus WVU just put this down.

I guess it's been since last fall since I was here, so now, with football season here, I'm back. I sure am glad to see Mitchell Stadium get the FieldTurf. I've been mentioning to my dad for several years, that with all the use that Mitchell gets (2 high schools, 2 middle schools, all that Pee Wee ball), that if any stadium needs turf, that's it. But I've gotta wonder, has there been a fire sale on Field Turf in the region? Who all has switched to turf? Mitchell has, Princeton has, did I see that Martinsburg did? Morgantown? Anyone else? It just seems strange that there has been such a run on turf lately. Anyway, glad to be back folks. :-)

[ QUOTE ] LMAO, WAY TO GO YOU BUNCH OF OVERRATED BUCKTOOTHS. [/ QUOTE ] Classy, classy, classy. I have no idea who you are, but your words say more about you than I could ever say.

[ QUOTE ] Graham 26 Beaver 6 FINAL [/ QUOTE ] Awwwwww......CRAP. Anybody have a synopsis of the how and why? Is Graham that good, or is Bluefield that bad? I thought Bluefield had most of their weapons back...thought they'd start out better than that.

I agve that a brief look...and it looks so confusing to me. Maybe I have a WV bias, but I feel the WV system is far simpler. All the regions, districts, divisions, it just doesn't look simple and clear to me. What I do understand about VA football is that there are 6 splits based on attendance. Two each for A, AA, and AAA. I suppose that is Division 1 through 6, right? I just prefer the ranking system used in WV to determine who goes to the playoffs.

[ QUOTE ] i've been to Wheeling about 4 times now, and i think Mitchell Stadium EASILY competes with Wheeling... and there are bids for Bluefield to get field turn, so that might make a difference. however, if Bluefield was to get it, the northern teams would have the same argument that the southern teams have now... the distance. it needs to be centrally located. and the state capital seems like the logical choice. i just wish they (Charleston) would step up and make their field/stadium capable of handling it again. [/ QUOTE ] Agreed. Capacity is a non-issue. Wheeling holds just over 10,000, Mitchell holds 10,000. Laidley holds 18,000, if I remember correctly. Parking used to be a problem in Charleston. There is a multi-level parking deck at the NW corner of the Capitol building now, so there shouldn't be a parking issue. There is PLENTY to do in Charleston, just nothing near the Laidley Field. That area, save for the Capitol and Kanawha Boulevard, isn't nice. I don't know what kind of turn they have now at Lairley. I think they replaced it a few years ago, but I think it was the old turf that was on the field at Northwestern. They'd need to go to FieldTurf, in my opinion.

[ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Almost every other sport is towards the southern part of the state, yet people still complain it's in Wheeling. Please don't compare Mitchell Stadium to Wheeling Island Stadium. Turf or not, there is no comparison. And I've been to/played at both places enough. If there was another HS stadium around the state nicer than the Island, then I'd have no problem w/ them moving the Super Six, but facts are there isn't. Football-Wheeling Soccer-Beckley Boys Basketball-Charleston Girls Basketball-Charleston Wrestling-Huntington Track-Charleston Baseball-Charleston There is only one major sport where the state finals are held in the northern part of the state. I just don't understand why people don't like Wheeling Island. Wheeling has the nicest facilities, plenty of good hotels, and great restaurants. [/ QUOTE ] Like I said I think Mitchell Stadium is just as nice, but that is my opinion. As for WHEELING having the restaurants, hotels, etc. you are mistaken. The best are in OHIO, where most of the fans stay.. [/ QUOTE ] I've never understood that. There's almost NOTHING in Wheeling. It's depressing. Nobody eats there. Nobody stays there. What is in it for Wheeling? I have to guess it's all about gambling. Heard a few things over the years, about the "perks" provided to the WVSSAC folks and their spouses.

[ QUOTE ] Almost every other sport is towards the southern part of the state, yet people still complain it's in Wheeling. Please don't compare Mitchell Stadium to Wheeling Island Stadium. Turf or not, there is no comparison. And I've been to/played at both places enough. If there was another HS stadium around the state nicer than the Island, then I'd have no problem w/ them moving the Super Six, but facts are there isn't. Football-Wheeling Soccer-Beckley Boys Basketball-Charleston Girls Basketball-Charleston Wrestling-Huntington Track-Charleston Baseball-Charleston There is only one major sport where the state finals are held in the northern part of the state. I just don't understand why people don't like Wheeling Island. Wheeling has the nicest facilities, plenty of good hotels, and great restaurants. [/ QUOTE ] Charleston is HARDLY the southern part of the state. It's the only decent-sized place near the middle of the state. I believe the actual geographic center is somewhere around Flatwoods, WV, but there's nothing major there. I think most people would take GREAT exception to the comment about Wheeling Island Stadium being the best HS venue in the state, too. It's like Laidley Field in Charleston, just smaller. Same basic design, save for the lack of a track at Wheeling, and smaller granstands (not that it matters). There is also a problem with flooding in Wheeling. Even with the FieldTurf, the place was a mess last year, wasn't it? I've gone on record before...the game needs to be in Charleston. PERIOD. No matter what Wheeling dangles before the greedy losers of the WVSSAC. They BUY the game every time.

[ QUOTE ] I've emailed the WVSSAC every year for the past couple of years telling them they had the wrong score for the '97 Championship game...they must not believe me... [/ QUOTE ] Well, I don't think those folks up in Parkersburg have ever been too fond of Bluefield. They probably know it's wrong, but refuse to take time to fix it.

I think, but don't quote me, that the divisions in the 1940s were way different. I believe that is when the whole idea of splitting the schools by division came into being, and I have some thought that it was just A and AA, or A and B, where A was the largest school.

My dad says that it has an inaccuracy regarding Bluefield's 1997 championship. Specifically, it lists the score of that game as Bluefield 28, Grafton 14. The ACTUAL score of that game was Bluefield 42, Grafton 13. I noticed that Bluefield beat Weir in the semifinal game 28-14, so I wonder if that is where the confusion is. Also, what is the record FG listed for the AA championship game? Dad says it's 40 yd, kicked in 1982. He also said that Lucas Stone kicked a 42 yd FG in the game last year (2004). I emailed the WVSSAC, but (LOL) their website (and the auto-responder) says they won't respond unless it is in writing, signed and dated. I suppose that is their way of hiding from the public. Hell of an organization they are (/sarcasm)

Is it over? Score? Not over? Updates?