FBDevotee

Union's boy's basketball team is collectively very quick and experienced. They are off to a good start which will build up their confidence. Lack of height may be a limiting factor but Charles Barkley said "rebounding and defense are all about desire" and, I think Wes Unseld said, rebounding is 25% tall but 75% gall.

I certainly underestimated the 2023 Union Bears with my early season prediction of an 8 and 4 final record for them at at this point in the year. But I based that prognostication on the difficult schedule they were facing and the large number of starters who were sophomores. But in hindsight the 2023 Bears were a team that was probably closer to a 12-0 team than an 8-4 team. The sophomores played great all year, the defense was really good, and Ray Anderson had an exceptional year at quarterback. I am not going to predict how much farther they will go; but I am convinced, at this point, they have the talent to win three more games. But any deep run in the VHSL playoffs usually requires a lucky bounce or two!

I believe both teams will play hard, and play inspired, in an attempt to send their seniors out with a win. The game could be entertaining but I suspect Union is likely too strong this season. I do plan to attend and I think the atmosphere will be great again this week at Bullitt Park. It really is a special place full of football history. There are so many gridiron traditions in the Gap that I enjoy; the smell of the well groomed grass turf in November, the sight of coaches bringing the team onto the field barely in time for kickoff, the taste of very best band booster popcorn in SWVA, the sound of the Union fight song, and the feel of another Bears victory!

Union has continued to improve quite a bit each week, maybe more than is typical during a high school football season. They've improved, in large part, because they are a very young team. Union always starts five sophomores, and often play six sophomores on defense. But I think Abingdon will be a real test for them. I hope having two weeks to heal and prepare will help the Bears. I look for QB Anderson to have a another good game as he's come into his own. He has thrown very accurately of late - completing 14 of 15 passes in the Bears' last game. The Bears have a stellar stable of receivers.

Although the outstanding assemblage of skill players the Bears have this season - Anderson, Huff, Lowery, Chandler, Bunch, Bostic - make the sport's headlines & highlights, I think the four senior interior defensive players are the core of Union's team success. They impressed me in the very first game and have played exceptionally well every week. I predict LOS will be the deciding factor in this week's match up with the Wolfpack; but I'm certain there will be another packed house at Bullitt Park to witness another fine SWVA football clash!

I meant to type "exceptional" not exception in my last posting. Let me add that I'm certain the only title Coach Turner and his team are currently discussing is the M7 championship. The Wolfpack, Warriors, Falcons, and Trojans will all have a big say in that conversation!

I would offer the old football aphorism that offense wins games and defense wins championships. Union posting a shut out against a good Blue Devil team is a very favorable result. I believe the Bears started six sophomores on defense this past Friday; and if those young players continue to improve they could be a really exception unit come November!

In games last season the Blue Devils finished strong. I give the coaches credit for preparing their team for four quarters. Younger players tend to wear out sooner and the Bears were young last campaign; seemed real tuckered out in the last minutes of both contests with Gate City. I do think that could be a factor again this year in some Union matchups - including this week's game. As example, for anyone who saw the Science Hill game, It really looked like the Bears could match their speed but the Hill Toppers did eventually wear down Union.

The fun thing for fans about rivalries is the teams' current records and recent performances are often not very accurate barometers for predicting results. I think both Union and Gate City will be correctly preparing for this game to be a really tough pad popper; and I believe it's likely to be a close one. Remember that Gate City has won the last two match ups and both teams have a lot of the same personnel. Union's offense used 7 sophomores on the field at the same time last week and, although these young kids are very talented, they are more prone to make mistakes and more prone to fatigue than more mature, more experienced, players. If Gate City can wear the Bears down, I think they can win - but they can't let Union get a big lead. The Bears have a sleuth of skill players. I think it will be an enjoyable game and another big game atmosphere at fabled Bullitt Park!

The Bears continue to play well and continue to improve. The victory at Bluefield does make me cautiously question my pre-season prediction of a 8 - 4 season for Union in 2023 but I'm still not altering that early season post. Both Ridgeview and Gate City present very difficult upcoming games for the Bears plus other M7 contests; but if the sophomores continue to get better, a 10 win season is possible!

Bullitt Park opened in 1935 and Michell stadium in 1936 - these venues and their spectators have been witness to countless great football games and countless great football players. I believe this Friday night will add to both lists!

The game was wonderful to attend and watch! The atmosphere was as exciting as anticipated with a big raucous, sometimes cacophonic, Union crowd. Science Hill brought a large band, a good crowd, and an enormous team. The Bears played very well, but ultimately the linemen wore down. The Hill Toppers could shuttle some big bodies in and out, and although Union's offensive line can boast three over 260 pounds, they still looked undersized against their out of state opposition and, as mentioned, at different times I believe both starting tackles left the game with injuries. The Bears linemen played with really hard and can be really proud. I will admit that in the early forth quarter, with the score 13 to 6 and Union's offense on the field, I said to someone beside me that the Bears have a chance to win!

Bullitt Park can accommodate around 5000, so space should be available to all who decide to attend tonight's big game, but many of the long time fans want to get their exact traditional lucky spots. There is certainly a mystic about the field; and no one here in the Gap, whether superstitious or not, wants to be accused of disrupting the mojo!

BTW - Bear fans are already in line at Bullitt Park!

Friday game day and 3 pm here in BSG; looks like a few thundershowers may pop up around game time. Rain may be an advantage for the Bears, as wet sod can mediate speed and inclement weather traditionally aids an underdog, but rain sure will be a disadvantage for Bear fans!

My preseason predictions include a Union loss to Science Hill. Nothing has occurred to alter that prognostication - as I'm afraid the Lee High & Richlands wins do not reveal very much. But several little things give a hint that Union is capable of pulling off an upset. First - Union's defensive middle (tackles & inside linebackers) are experienced seniors and have played really well so far this season. Second - Union has more overall team speed than typical Bear squads. Third - Union's scrimmage against Elizabethton exposed the Bears to a good football program and the team performed competently. I had high hopes for a large crowd at the game but due to Science Hill's slow start I'm not sure many will make the drive over from Johnson City. Of course Union's home stands will be filled. Bullitt Park remains a special locale to watch Friday night football and, at a minimum, hosting a huge school from Tennessee adds another episode to the fabled story.

So far, I'm still sticking to my 8-4 season prediction for the Bears. The future looks very bright with a great sophomore and freshman class; but I think they're probably a year or two away from regional or state title contention. With that stated, I do think it will be a very exciting and entertaining year for Union football fans! I saw a team roster that had Keith Chandler listed as 5'10" 230 lbs. That's a big kid for running back; but he has surprising speed. When you pair him with two other linebackers both experienced and listed as 200 pounds plus, that could easily end up being the main strength of the team - instead of the talented receiving corp. Also the three Anderson brothers played really well against Lee High. Weaknesses are obviously overall youth, inexperienced offensive line, and kicking/special teams. A formidable M7 schedule with Science Hill and away games at Graham and Abingdon makes me believe 8-4 is about right.

I believe Union will scrimmage George Wythe about 6 pm, then Union will scrimmage Northside about 7 /7:30 pm, and then George Wythe will scrimmage Northside about 8:30/9 pm. Varsity units will play two quarters each match up. Should be a good tune up for all three teams.

To BKFootball I do concede that I'm only familiar with Union's starting line ups. My comments should read that when Union's first teams were on the turf the score was one touchdown each side. I am especially looking forward to several of this fall's local gridiron contests; including Patrick Henry coming to John Burton and Science Hill coming to Union. Best wishes to all our local teams.

Little doubt that Betsy, at this early point in the season, was the stronger football team overall; but when first teams vs first teams were on the artificial turf during the scrimmage, I believe the Cyclones scored one touchdown and the Bears scored one touchdown. I suspect that Elizabethton might very well be the toughest opponent Union faces this fall - but getting to scrimmage them is really helpful for the Bears. I suggest that there were several bright spots for Bears. I really like the two sophomore defensive ends for Union and I believe the crop of wide receivers is special. Of course if Anderson has to scramble every pass play, the talent of the receivers may not get much of an opportunity to shine.

In reply to Duke2015: There are a number of positives going into fall 2023 for the Bears. Three of those sophomores, #2, #4, & #28, had outstanding freshman seasons and were on the all-district football squad last fall. All the Anderson brothers, #10, #11, & #17, have been looking extremely good in practice. Union won the regional track and field championship in spring 2023 and the #1 & #3 you referenced were both part of that team. The Bears do return several 2022 all-region football players led by their middle linebacker #50.

Union will suit up about sixty kids this fall, good depth, but the Bears are still a young team overall; several key position players are sophomores. They have one of the best groups of wide receivers they've had since consolidation and Anderson returns as QB, so I expect more first down pass plays than we usually witness. Defense appears solid based on scrimmage performance against Cyclones. The schedule is difficult with road games against Graham, Central, Lee, and Abingdon plus hosting Science Hill in week three but I see a record very similar to last season. I predict several exciting games with a playoff appearance and 8-4 final tally.

Graham is the stronger team; but the gap is small enough that an untimely penalty or turnover could keep the game close. With a lucky bounce, plus home field advantage, Union might pull off the upset - but I think it unlikely. Union had two important players injured during their beat down of J I Burton and I don't suspect they will be back in time for the G-men. On the positive side for the Bears, Union, like Graham, has an excellent trio of linebackers and a deep experienced group of linemen. They have gotten good performances from the Andersons plus I tell folks that the freshmen are not starting because the Bears don't have options, as they have a 64 man roster this year. They are starting because they have been playing very well and deserve to start. In the end, I predict the score to be 28 to 12 Graham. Graham is the stronger team but I suspect the game will be entertaining for the home crowd. Bullitt Park is a great place to watch a game.

I would like to generate analytical discussion on this forum regarding the Union and Richlands game; but there is little to analyze. Union dominated every aspect of play. It was an unexpected mauling. I thought Union's depth would be an important factor; but the game was over before halftime. The line of scrimmage was owned by the bears. Union's young players looked faster and stronger. I don't know if Union can beat Graham but I now believe the Bears will be able to stay in the game, and, oh boy, does the future look bright for Big Stone Gap, as the Andersons are juniors, Sykes and Cochran are sophomores, Huff and Chandler are freshmen. .

'Ernie Hicks' is a very tough place for a visiting team to get a win. Union is a deep team and that could be the difference. When they go to the spread with their young receivers, they can bring out eleven different players on defense. Not having kids playing both ways is quite an advantage!