The Graham kid coming on as QB after the other one quit at VH, has done a really good job in my opinion. He’s only going to get better. I know others will disagree but I think Reese is about as talented as Creasy. He just doesn’t have the other talent around him to get the stats Creasy gets.
Yes, it was One of the many reasons that Salem threw against a wall hoping something would stick. Bottom line was, they weren't traveling to Grundy, denied Grundy home field advantage, ended up playing on a quagmire in Tazewell (one of the worst if not the worst field conditions I have ever witnessed). Grundy was clearly the superior team that year and ended up, ironically, being victims of terrible field conditions.
I was there. Grundy was the better team just couldn't punch it in.
To be honest beating this team isn't fun. I'm no Richlands fan by any means but it's sad to see what's happened down there. Hopefully they figure it out becuse the district is better when Richlands is good.
1996 whined and cried to VHSL to get semi playoff game at Grundy moved. Game was moved to Tazewell, worst field conditions than at Grundy. Don’t care how many trophies they have, they’re still a bunch of whiny losers.
Wasn't the game moved because there were no visitors stands?
It’s honestly sad what is happening over there. To be a 4A school and not even have 30 kids come out is head scratching. Is Eddie Sloss’ short tenure as HC what caused this??
They went from defending state champions to losing 17 in a row in only 4 seasons. Have won 2 games in the 2 seasons since he resigned.
Blacksburg has shown improvement from year one to year two under Zack Leonard. I think they’re trying to get there. They played Salem last year and determined that it wasn’t worth it this year. For the record, I’m not dying on the Blacksburg hill, I just see why they did what they did.
I get what you are saying but man what message are they sending. What's next petition to play in the MED?
Far from it. We are what we thought we were (seni quote the famous Dennis Green there lol) we thought had a chance but knew the reality that would probably lose. Defense played great. The score is not a reflection of the game. Take away the picks and it's tighter. I dont know why the ball was thrown the way it was on the first two but those weren't coverage interceptions. The third one was caused by pressure. Fourth was by a QB just trying to do something in an unfamiliar position. Graham gets pressure and that's how they win. If you had a stout o line that provides great protection, they are in trouble. Offensively they are good but not impressive. Their defense carries them.
All that said we are still proud of them and they played the best they could wounded. Hope Creasy is OK and returns next week.
Sounds like excuses. Let's face it......Tazewell is not at Graham's level. Just say we got beat by a better team. You'll get a little respect that way. You guys don't understand why tazewell gets the hate. It's posts like this. Only tazewell fans can lose by 43 and have the benefit of scoring their only td on a turnover then complain about the interceptions. You know why tazewell lost.....because they are soft. If you don't like it play better.
By my count one offensive play in Graham territory all night. In last 3 years tazewell has scored 3 tds vs Graham. One on a pick 6, one on a 95 yard fumble recovery, and a late td when game was decided in 2022. Not good enough to be able to compete.
If Graham stacks the line they are going to be in for a long night. Tazewell have the passing attack to take advantage of that. I think you have to play a light box and make them run the ball to beat you. Graham is balanced only in the since that they pass and run attempts are close to equal. Anything longer than 10 yards down field is iffy at best. QB edge goes to Tazewell for sure. Both defenses are pretty solid but over all I would probably lean Graham there weak spot is the backend and Tazewell can make you pay there. This is going to sound crazy but I think this game comes down to special teams. Can Tazewell convert on the 2 point conversions since they dont seem to like to kick PAT. Will Graham block a punt? Will one of these teams return a kick for 6? If there has been a year to get Graham in the SWD over the last 6 year it is this year and Tazewell is the only school with the fire power to do it. It is sad however that due to power points even with a win they are still behind Graham in seeding. I predict we will have a rematch second round of the playoffs.
The year to get Graham was the covid year. And with a loaded team on their home field they still couldn't do it. Tonight we find out if they are ready to play big boy football and take the next step. My guess it goes much like the last 2 years.
From my recollection, Mance's first 12 seasons (1997-2008) consisted of home-grown talent. IINM, the Johnson clan's (Big Creek) first season was 2009. From that point on (2009-19), there always seemed to be several transfers on the roster, primarily from neighboring schools (e.g., Tazewell, Graham, Honaker).
Ironically, Richlands had more success at the state-level without transfers (one title, two runner-ups) than they did with them (two runner-ups).
They had a starting linebacker come from Honaker in about 06. That's when it started.
I was asked who I thought would be a good replacement for HC. We all have a opinion, so I'll ask everyone on the board. "Do any of you have an opinion on who or what Richlands should do if anything??
I've said this before.....if you can talk him into coming back I'd try Mark Dixon. I don't think anyone on Graham's staff would go down there at this point. So I'd look at trying to get someone prominent from Unions staff. And if that failed I'd go Shane Wicks. But I'm not hiring. But a house cleaning is in order for sure. And it needs rebuilt from the ground up. Tough task.
I’m guessing the last outright title is 1986? They may have shared it since then.
Last outright was 1986. Shared in 87 with Grundy and Richlands. Lebanon won their only SWD title in 88. After that Graham, Grundy, and Richlands dominated.
Looking at Region C......Chatham still has to play Gretna. Loser of that puts them behind Appomattox at 4. Which is a bad matchup for Radford in the 2nd round regardless of how the Raiders season has went thus far.
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Possible transfers next year.
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He's the best quarterback in the SWD. Period.