VTSteve

Sorry that I didn't respond to that part of your post mentioning playing Virginia teams. Playing Virginia teams did not adversely impact your rating; since like today, the SSAC simply applied the West Virginia classification guidelines to the Virginia teams based on enrollment. 1960 and 1968 were the years that BHS was undefeated, but did not get a chance to play in the two-team playoff format (a single championship game). In 1968, we had only nine games on the schedule because Logan had to cancel its entire season due to SSAC sanctions for playing ineligible players in 1967. If the SSAC had forced them to forfeit all scheduled games, we would have played Charleston in the championship game. However, since they just eliminated their season too late for teams to schedule other opponents, we payed the highest price for Logan's error. By 1975, West Virginia had gone to a four-team playoff system; which allowed the 4th ranked BHS team to beat #1 Buckhannon Upshur 42-0 in the semifinal game, followed by a 21-7 championship victory over South Charleston, ending the season at 11-1. You can only wonder how many more championships BHS would have won during the 1960s if there had been a four or eight team playoff; but 1960 (10-0), 1961 (9-1), 1966 (9-1) and 1968 (9-0) were very good teams that did not get a playoff opportunity.

BHS won 32 straight games from 1966-1969, which included undefeated seasons in 1967 (State Championship) and 1968 (Coach Chmara's first team). The streak started after a loss to Big Creek (AAA at the time) in the 4th game of 1966. The 1966 team was 9-1, followed by seasons of 11-0, 9-0, and 8-2 in 1969. A 14-12 loss to Beckley broke the streak. I was very fortunate to be a part of the 1967-1969 teams; and my senior class did not lose a game in high school until the Beckley loss, the 7th game of our senior year. By the way, the 1965 team was also an undefeated state championship team, which provides another perspective of BHS' dominance in that era. In the four seasons from 1965-1968, BHS lost only one game. It was a great era in which to play football at BHS. Very fond memories for an old guy like me. Keep in mind that Coach Gainer's staff during this time included Coach Chmara and Coach Carlock. Having three Hall of Famers on a staff can produce excellent results. Also, Coach Chuck Lambert rounded out the staff; and while known as a basketball coach, Chuck was a great scout. He was usually on the road scouting future teams; and he didn't miss much.

Both Mike and Tim played for Coach Gainer. Mike played on Coach Gainer's first two teams, and graduated in 1961. Both of these teams were undefeated- but won only one state championship since WV played only a championship game between #1-#2. The 1960 team ended the season ranked #3 My uncle also played on these teams, which is why I know some of the history. Coach Chmara's first team (1968) suffered the same fate, ending at 9-0 and #3, but not making the championship game.

No, Tim played at Emory. His brother Mike played at Concord.

Pete Wood was an All-State halfback on the 1967 BHS State Champion team. He was a three-year starter (Defense as a Sophomore, both ways as a Junior and Senior), and was a very fast and powerful running back. Pete was one of three players from the 1967 team who received full scholarships to WVU, the others being Ronnie Goodwin (Fullback) and Larry McBride (Tackle). In addition to being a great athlete, Pete was an outstanding person also, as were Ron and Larry. In addition, quite a few of the players from that team went on to play either small-college or major college football. For example, Nick Colobro (current Gate City Coach) was a junior on this team; and Nick went on to play at Virginia Tech. Pete Sarver was the quarterback of that team; and he was a defensive back at Wake Forest. Just from memory, I can think of a least eight other players from this group who played small college (NCAA II) football on scholarship. By the way, this was Coach Gainer's last team at BHS. He spent the next two-three years as the County Athletic Director for Mercer County, which was a position created just for him I believe. As noted in other posts in this thread, he then went to Patrick Henry of Roanoke, where Nick and former BHS quarterback Johnny Land were on his the coaching staff that helped him win the Virginia AAA championship.

Just a quick correction. Coach Gainer won four championships in nine years at BHS (59, 62, 65, and 67). His 1960 team was also undefeated, but did not get a shot at the state championship because only the top two teams were included in the playoffs in West Virginia at that time. His 61 and 66 team both lost only one game. My sophomore year at BHS was 1967, so I had the good fortune of playing for the following coaching staff: Merrill Gainer, John Chmara, Glynn Carlock, and Chuck Lambert. After Coach Gainer retired from coaching in the spring of 1968, Coach Chmara added Bill Kinser to the staff, and we were undefeated in 1968. However, once again we were rated at number three, thus did not get the chance to play for the state championship. It is interesting to note that in the 10-season span from 1959-1968, not only did BHS win all four championships in which we played; but could possibly have added two more in 60 and 68. Six undefeated seasons in a ten-year span is pretty solid. Just thought I would add a little old-guy historical view to the discussion. As to your original question, which is very valid, I think it is in part a function of the stadium being owned by the city, unlike many situations in which the high school owns its own stadium. Since Mitchell Stadium was originally named for a Mayor, and not a legendary sports figure, you would think a change in name would have been appropriate.

The AA All-State Team is available on the Blacksburg site- blacksburgsoccer.net.

I thought the claim that UVA leads the series with Tech was inaccurate, so I checked Tech's 2006 media guide. After including Tech's win in 2006, Tech now leads the series with UVA 46-37-5.

Graham 3 - Tazewell 2 in overtime.

Does anyone know which two districts receive the byes in the Region IV Girls Tournament this year?

Do you know who Tazewell will play in the first round, and where the game will be played?

Do you have the score?