cityofRaven

The magic at Ernie Hicks Stadium is in the water that doesn't drain from the track after a storm. The kids have to be brave enough to drink from it though.

Good. Go to the games, support the kids, like the good ole days!

The magic at Ernie Hicks Stadium is in the water that doesn't drain from the track after a storm. The kids have to be brave enough to drink from it though.

The magic at Ernie Hicks Stadium is in the water that doesn't drain from the track after a storm. The kids have to be brave enough to drink from it though.

The magic at Ernie Hicks Stadium is in the water that doesn't drain from the track after a storm. The kids have to be brave enough to drink from it though.

Good. Go to the games, support the kids, like the good ole days!

Good. Go to the games, support the kids, like the good ole days!

Good. Go to the games, support the kids, like the good ole days!

Good. Go to the games, support the kids, like the good ole days!

Good. Go to the games, support the kids, like the good ole days!

Good. Go to the games, support the kids, like the good ole days!

Good. Go to the games, support the kids, like the good ole days!

Benefit games are on the radio every year.

I heard they tried to join the SEC but it was too late...

I don't think Lebanon has anything that Graham or Union hasn't dealt with before.

There's a huge parking lot over on Stadium Drive. 
You all should park folks there and bus them over.

Bold prediction - Graham's new stadium will overtake Mitchell as greatest high school football stadium ever! 

There's a huge parking lot over on Stadium Drive. 
You all should park folks there and bus them over.

A Marty Smith hologram. 

A Marty Smith hologram. 

This is a good time to point out several factors of that 1992 state championship team. 
1. This was one of the few Richlands teams that had decent athletes at several positions, but still, not the elite athletes that are usually on a title team. As I recall, I don’t believe there was a single D-1 player on that team. (See Graham’s run of talent today. Graham and Bluefield of the 1990s almost always had 1 or 2 speedsters at least.)
2. The team had a big, strong, line. During my formative years, this was what I thought was the brand of Richlands football. I think it is a combination of stereotyping and self-awareness. During those days, the prevailing style of play could sometimes allow you to outmuscle a team. 
3. Coaching. Say what you will, Dennis Vaught knew how to get the best out of his players and then some. Also, if I recall correctly, his staff included a young Dennis Palmer and maybe Greg Mance amongst others. 
 
4. Weather and home field advantage.  Those factors could not have lined up better. That year, when it was customary for Regions to alternate hosting, Richlands had the honor by winning Region 4 of hosting the entire playoffs. The wet November-December snow on a grass/mud field allowed the power based team to overpower their more athletic counterparts (Marcus Parker and Salem), cleat controversy aside. 
 
Despite the controversy and hard feelings from the outside, this team is so special to Richlands fans. We know that we typically don’t have that talent together with the other factors often. We typically aren’t built on speed. 
Credit to Mance later, his efforts to learn and implement the spread before anyone else led to the results in the mid 2000s. The infusion of the key transfers bringing the speed element helped supplement it during the early to mid-2010s. 
Realistically, I think some of us remember the dark ages before and can look back on how special it was, and hope we can enjoy some good times again, and fully embrace when another special group come along at the same time.

Bold Predictions!!!!!!  The experts stop predicting and posting.  Exceptions Cousin Liam and The Mayor of the Trailer Park. Some slack for Hokiebird.

I'd trust my ex-wife's cooking not to kill me before I'd trust a MaxPreps roster to be accurate.

Bluefield beats Graham.