How about the entire Richlands Defense as the SWD Player(s) of the Year. I don't think anyone could argue with this. They give up 9 points in four games---I think the Richlands nation would vote for this idea!!!
I Totally Agree BIGD....LETS SEE THE 12TH MAN ON SATURDAY...FANS, BAND, AND ESPECIALLY THE CHEERLEADERS...MRS BANDY NEEDS TO DIG DEEP IN HER BAG OF TRICKS AND COME UP WITH SOMETHING BIG!!!!...MAYBE GET THE FANS IN IT RIGHT BEFORE KICKOFF WITH A CHEER BY THE ENTIRE HOME SIDE OF: LETS GO!!! BIG BLUE!!!!....LETS GO!!! BIG BLUE!!!!
One thing we all may be overlooking is the field conditions on Saturday. Does a wet track favor Richlands or Liberty? And, will a wet day increase chances for more turnovers?
Richlands has shown the ability to be effective in the rain both on the ground and in the air this season. So do not be suprised if they don't miss a beat in unfavorable conditions.
That is a great point about not falling behind early. Richlands has never trailed by more than 3 points this year and both situations they responded with a TD on the following drive. I am anxious to see how the BLUES can respond if they fall behind early. Hopefully, we won't be in that situation, but AIR MANCE will likely surface and you can expect about 35 attempts from McCracken.
THE BLUES ARE BACK IN THE STATE SEMI-FINALS FOR THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR AND ARE FACING A VERY DANGEROUS LIBERTY BEDFORD TEAM. I AM STARTING A POST TO TALK STRATEGY AND GAME PLANNING, SO I HAVE DEVELOPED A FEW ABSOLUTES AND DESIREABLES FOR THE BLUES:
OFFENSE:
1. Strike early and often----The Blues have had several games where they got off to a slow and sluggish start. This cannot happen on Saturday because they could find themselves trailing and trying to play catch up all day long, ie. Salem last year. If the Blues can score early it can give them some confidence and momentum that is needed in games at this level. Make Liberty match our scoring drives not vice versa.
2. Finish the Drive!!! Friday night the Blues could not finish two drives and it just about cost them the game. A 4th and 1 turned into a 4th and 6 after a silly penalty and the pass play only covered about 4 yards. The GMen responded by scoring a TD on their next drive. Later, the Blues ran a halfback pass on third and goal and turned the ball over on an interception...two plays later the GMen hit paydirt and turned the entire game around. The same happened three times in the Carroll County game, so the Blues have to put points on the board when they get inside of the red zone. Keeping the ball moving up the "gut" has been the key to scoring for the BLUES inside the red zone and the last drive Friday night proved this very point.
3. Keep the Offense of the field---Wearing down the defense has been the BLUES greatest weapon this year. Keep the clock running and the ball moving forward. No one has slowed our offense down this year other than Richlands itself. Keep the offense on the field and let the defense rest. Lebanon, Va. High, and Graham had some success when the Richands offense didn't stay on the field very long. We need to avoid three and outs!!!
4. MIX IT UP MANCE!!!! Keep Liberty off balance with a good mixture of run and pass. Get McCracken involved early and let Caleb pick up his yards on the ground. Having success on first down can open up a lot of options and keep a defense on its heels!!! The last drive against the GMen was textbook...proper play calling and pinpoint execution showed everyone how dangerous this offense really is!!!!
5. Eliminate the silly mistakes--- Too many procedure, false starts, and 12 men breaking the huddle has doomed the BLUES all season. Richlands looked confused and disorganized at times on Friday night resulting in momentum swings and lost yardage. Teams at this level don't need any "free yards" and could prove costly if they extend drives and result in points.
DEFENSE:
1. SET THE TONE EARLY!! Just like last year, the BLUES will show Liberty how strong and physical they really are. This is the very thing that keeps Richlands competitive at the next level. Getting some good clean hits early can wear down any team and Richlands needs to be physical from the start!!
2. Withstand the First Drive!! Last year, Salem marched right down the field and took some life out of the BLUES defense and got the crowd out of it early. It is very difficult for teams to judge size, strength, and speed; however, the BLUES have the ability to stop Liberty early and must have some success early to keep the confidence level of this great defense at the level it has been all year.
3. Contain the Corners. Like Lance said in a previous post, the BLUES must force Liberty into the heart of the Richlands defense. Gayhart did a great job of containing Henry on Friday night forcing him up the middle. Richlands has kept some very good running backs from turning the corner this year and Liberty will be no exception. Speed kills at this level and not giving up the "big play" will be a point of emphasis for both teams.
4. Make Liberty Pass the Ball!! Richlands has done a great job this year of forcing teams to become one dimensional. Forcing third and long situations make teams throw the ball, and without a quality QB, the defense can put a whole lot of pressure on teams and get some negative yardage if they can get to the quarterback. We know how physical the BLUES like to play and how great our DBs have been all year, this will be the key to stopping Liberty's offense.
5. FORCE TURNOVERS!! This is something the BLUES could not do last year against Salem and it proved costly. If the BLUES can catch a break here and there, and avoid turnovers of their own, the defense can create some oppurtunities for some take-a-ways. Remember, the best offense is a great defense!!!
THIS WILL BE A GREAT GAME SATURDAY AND I FEEL AS IF THE BLUES HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS GAME SINCE LAST SEASON. THE DEFENSE HAS BEEN THE STORY ALL YEAR LONG AND IT WILL BE NO DIFFERENT SATURDAY. THEY MUST SLOW DOWN THE LIBERTY AND OFFENSE AND KEEP THEM OFF THE FIELD. "THE ERNIE" CAN BE AN INTIMIDATING PLACE TO PLAY AND THE FANS HAVE TO GET INTO THE GAME. SALEM TOOK OUR CROWD OUT OF THE GAME EARLY LAST YEAR AND THIS CANNOT HAPPEN AGAIN. RICHLANDS FANS WILL OUTNUMBER LIBERTY 2 TO 1 SATURDAY AND THEY NEED TO MAKE NOISE AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY!!!
I thought the bootleg on 2nd down was an excellent call just poor execution and Caleb should have eaten the ball on the following play; however, watching the next drive, the BLUES never ran off tackle and marched right down the field.
Great high school football game!!!! Graham never rolled over....The Blues should have put them away, but Graham fought to the bitter end. Good luck BLUES...let's bring this one home!!! I felt like the turning point in the game was the 4 and 1 and the BLUES get a penalty and do not convert...that gave the GMEN new life and, as good teams do, took advantage of the situation. The score could have been a lot different if that play does not happen.
Sources close to RHS Football confirm THS Football Staff fails to share/disclose tape of Graham game last week. What a great show of sportmanship and good example to set for our communities and our student athletes. GOOD JOB! Could this be a School Board Issue???
Richlands has had an incredible season thus far. Friday night was a gut check and the defense found a way to win the game. The offense sputtered inside the Red Zone. Hopefully the Blues can become a little more creative and not so predictable on certain plays. Many people know Mance always has something up his sleeve!!! Good Luck BLUES on a perfect regular season.
I thought it was interesting to see the make up of the different playoff teams this year. A team like Atlanta was built for the grind and wear and tear of a 162 game schedule. The Astros, however, were built for a five or seven game series, and it showed!! The Braves have never been as productive in the postseason and can never find the right combo to have postseason success.
Dont understand this hire. The Braves always have a knock of pushing the right buttons. They need to get aggresive in the free agency market. Same old crap, different year.
Great high school football game. CC played well and took advantage of a late RHS turnover. Nice floating duck for the TD and a flat out "choke" on the PAT.(High snap and a pull) Tough luck CC. Good luck to CC you guys have a good team. Richlands Defense was the difference tonight!!! The Storm is still brewing!!
Tazewell played a heck of a game tonight but the Richlands Defense proved to be the difference allowing just 118 yards of total offense. Tazewell did their homework and played an inspiring game. The Storm didn't have a strong wind tonight but they got the job done. Anytime you win on the road in the SWD you earn the "W". Congrats to the Blues--Keep up the good work and get healthy and cut back on those penalties---They are killin' you guys!!!
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How about the entire Richlands Defense as the SWD Player(s) of the Year. I don't think anyone could argue with this. They give up 9 points in four games---I think the Richlands nation would vote for this idea!!!