Unchained

It's a no brainer.  McAmis!!!

BIG STONE GAP — Carter Creasy’s arm sure enough made an impact, but Union’s defense wouldn’t allow much else. The “Monsters of the Greenway” held Tazewell to negative rushing yardage and helped ice the game with a late turnover, keeping Union’s season alive. The Bears clinched their first Region 2D championship appearance in three seasons with Saturday’s 27-6 win over Tazewell at Bullitt Park. Kam Bostic produced two of the game’s biggest plays for Union, the second coming when he intercepted Creasy at the Bears’ 1-yard line. Leading 12-6 at that point, Union (11-1) then drove 99 yards for a touchdown, before forcing a turnover on downs and adding another score just two plays later. “One of the better games our defense has played as a unit,” Bears coach Travis Turner said. “Our linebackers did a good job stopping the inside run game, and our defensive backs played lights out.” Braxton Bunch grabbed the other of two interceptions for Union, which held the Bulldogs to minus-10 yards rushing and recorded six sacks. As for Bostic’s other big play, it came when he fired a 6-yard touchdown to quarterback Reyshawn Anderson on a trick play, giving the Bears a 12-0 halftime lead. CALLING ON KEITH Sophomore workhorse Keith Chandler scored twice for Union, gaining 146 yards on 26 carries to spearhead the Bears' 291-yard rushing effort. “Keith played really well on both sides, especially on defense,” Turner said. “Tazewell had a good game plan coming in. I think our D-line just did a good job getting off blocks quickly, and our inside linebackers did a good job whenever (Creasy) stepped up and scrambled.” Turner also praised the lead blocking of Poppy Lowery and Keyshawn Anderson whenever Chandler carried the ball. Lowery himself ran twice for 26 yards. THE LEADERS Reyshawn Anderson accounted for a rushing touchdown as well, gaining 78 yards on 16 carries while completing 6 of 11 passes for 51 yards. Paul Huff had 51 yards on five receptions. Creasy went 22-for-32 for 202 yards and a third-quarter touchdown to lead the Bulldogs (8-4). UP NEXT Union entertains Graham for the Region 2D championship at Bullitt Park.

Big shout out to Union and their fans for the great atmosphere and the sportsmanlike behavior from players and fans.  Very good venue, nice crowd and respectful fans.  Great programs do it the right way, I commend Union and their team.
No trash talking coaches or trash talking players and fans, just good football.  It is appreciated, we don't always get that treatment when we play away.

We knew it was going to be a battle and would require our best. We did not get that offensively. Overall, it was a very bad offensive performance. With that said, the O line and Keith Chandler delivered on a 99.5 yard drive that took 7-8 minutes off the clock in the 4th. Survive and advance. 

I made a point to go over and congratulate some teary-eyed Bulldogs after the game. When I watched film of Tazewell and RV I was impressed with the athletes the Dogs had on the field. I knew this would be no cakewalk. I have seen so many teams get intimidated at the park and fold like a house of cards. Tazewell absolutely made us earn every yard today. What a valiant effort in defeat by the Bulldogs. They earned our utmost respect today. I also am man enough to admit when i am wrong. I thought going in that the Bulldog QB was a China doll and questioned his toughness. The relentless Union defense had him down many times, but he picked himself up and kept battling. He earned my respect, and his team earned my respect. Now that I have bragged on Tazewell, On to Union. During deep runs you have to battle through when you are not at your best. The Bears were hard to watch on offense today. Rey had his worst game, and they were way too predictable, but yet again another sophomore with his team clinging to a 12-6 lead and the Dogs driving to take the lead showed up and showed out. I've called the ball hawking secondary the heart of this team, and I am not wrong. Offense may win games but defense wins championships. Great effort today Bulldogs, but the Bears live to fight another day.

I made a point to go over and congratulate some teary-eyed Bulldogs after the game. When I watched film of Tazewell and RV I was impressed with the athletes the Dogs had on the field. I knew this would be no cakewalk. I have seen so many teams get intimidated at the park and fold like a house of cards. Tazewell absolutely made us earn every yard today. What a valiant effort in defeat by the Bulldogs. They earned our utmost respect today. I also am man enough to admit when i am wrong. I thought going in that the Bulldog QB was a China doll and questioned his toughness. The relentless Union defense had him down many times, but he picked himself up and kept battling. He earned my respect, and his team earned my respect. Now that I have bragged on Tazewell, On to Union. During deep runs you have to battle through when you are not at your best. The Bears were hard to watch on offense today. Rey had his worst game, and they were way too predictable, but yet again another sophomore with his team clinging to a 12-6 lead and the Dogs driving to take the lead showed up and showed out. I've called the ball hawking secondary the heart of this team, and I am not wrong. Offense may win games but defense wins championships. Great effort today Bulldogs, but the Bears live to fight another day.

I made a point to go over and congratulate some teary-eyed Bulldogs after the game. When I watched film of Tazewell and RV I was impressed with the athletes the Dogs had on the field. I knew this would be no cakewalk. I have seen so many teams get intimidated at the park and fold like a house of cards. Tazewell absolutely made us earn every yard today. What a valiant effort in defeat by the Bulldogs. They earned our utmost respect today. I also am man enough to admit when i am wrong. I thought going in that the Bulldog QB was a China doll and questioned his toughness. The relentless Union defense had him down many times, but he picked himself up and kept battling. He earned my respect, and his team earned my respect. Now that I have bragged on Tazewell, On to Union. During deep runs you have to battle through when you are not at your best. The Bears were hard to watch on offense today. Rey had his worst game, and they were way too predictable, but yet again another sophomore with his team clinging to a 12-6 lead and the Dogs driving to take the lead showed up and showed out. I've called the ball hawking secondary the heart of this team, and I am not wrong. Offense may win games but defense wins championships. Great effort today Bulldogs, but the Bears live to fight another day.

I made a point to go over and congratulate some teary-eyed Bulldogs after the game. When I watched film of Tazewell and RV I was impressed with the athletes the Dogs had on the field. I knew this would be no cakewalk. I have seen so many teams get intimidated at the park and fold like a house of cards. Tazewell absolutely made us earn every yard today. What a valiant effort in defeat by the Bulldogs. They earned our utmost respect today. I also am man enough to admit when i am wrong. I thought going in that the Bulldog QB was a China doll and questioned his toughness. The relentless Union defense had him down many times, but he picked himself up and kept battling. He earned my respect, and his team earned my respect. Now that I have bragged on Tazewell, On to Union. During deep runs you have to battle through when you are not at your best. The Bears were hard to watch on offense today. Rey had his worst game, and they were way too predictable, but yet again another sophomore with his team clinging to a 12-6 lead and the Dogs driving to take the lead showed up and showed out. I've called the ball hawking secondary the heart of this team, and I am not wrong. Offense may win games but defense wins championships. Great effort today Bulldogs, but the Bears live to fight another day.

Not many teams have ran on Union this year might not be the best week to start.  If he has time to throw I’d stick with that 

I’m just hoping they take their time this one has the potential to beat the Akers thread 

I'm not going to pretend that Union is the only physical team out there, or that they're the only team that understands the word physicality. Graham has been pretty darn tough the last several years. I was actually surprised at how physical SH was. I expected them to be a little soft, but those LBs could lay the wood.
I think what most Bear fans are truly saying is that since 2011, Union has been incredibly consistent in their competitiveness and physicality. Are they the most physical team each and every year?...no. Are they in most of the games they play...yes. Just like you mentioned about the Richlands kids expecting to win, I think the kids from BSG and Appy are the same way. I believe the kids from Graham are too. In order to have a successful program, you have to instill that belief in the players. Mind over matter and the power of positive thinking goes a long way.

Not seen the physically their gonna see Saturday from Union !

Most teams, I'm sure will try to get a ton of pressure on Creasy.  Dogs have to play smart and get rid of it quick, run the  the big dogs and do some quick outs and screens to slow down that rush.  If they just go shotgun and try to throw the ball deep, they will be in trouble.  They don't need to even try to run wide either, off tackle with the big boy package when running the ball 

Not at all.  You've heard me rail on RV for years for having no damn idea how to scheme their best athletes open.  They were/are horrible at it.  I still stand that Graham's coaching staff wins a state title with last year's RV team.  
Did Harris pad his son's stats?  No doubt at all that he did.  Is Creasey's stats padded?  Yes.  But, I applaud the coach for trying to get his players noticed, which he should absolutely be doing.  I can tell you that the opposite is true at RV.  With two schools in the stands recruiting Beavers vs Union last year, RV used him as a decoy the whole game and he didn't get to touch the ball one time.  You think Harris would do that to his kids?  But here is the valid point that the Bulldog fans need to understand.  If you are quoting statistics back to validate your player is the best, those stats have to be taken with a grain of salt.  
It seems that Creasey is polarizing.  I've watched him quite a few times and my opinion still holds. He is a great system QB...really good accuracy on short/intermediate.  But, folks, he doesn't have that next level arm talent.  He doesn't have top three SWVA arm talent. He has a hitch in his throwing motion.....its a bad hitch.....the kind college DBs or top level high school DBs (there aren't any in SWVA) would take advantage of.  
In my opinion, if you switched O'Quin and Creasey to each other's team O'Quin would thrive in Tazewell's system.  I would argue he would take the offense next level because he is a fast and physical running QB.  Now, Creasey would struggle in RV's system which likes to throw intermediate/deep balls.  The Lebanon QB may have the most arm talent this side of Roanoke.....but that doesn't mean he would thrive in Tazewell's system.  Some QBs want to show that arm off and aren't discipline enough to take check-downs and swing passes.  
Give Harris credit for maximizing his QB's talents and putting him in situations to thrive.  That is good coaching.  He does it more than any coach in the region.......and I wonder if it has to do with, he isn't from the region.  I think it does.  In the football talent hotbeds, coaches mold their offenses around their talent and aren't afraid to let those athletes "get their flowers" as the young'ens say.  

Disclaimer:  I'm not a coach, but if life allows me more time in the future, I'd love to coach little league. Working on the fundamentals, knowing that it will pay off when they reach varsity.
I think the #1 reason that coaches do what they do and put up with what they do, is the love of the sport and wanting to stay connected in some way. The #2 reason would have to be love of their community.
Some do it for ego I'm sure. Those are the ones that apply for and take any job they can to get started. Try to prove themselves enough for the next "bigger" job until they're where they want to be. Then, they try to win as much as possible to get noticed so they can keep climbing the ladder. I think Thad Wells fits nicely into this category. I'm not saying anything is necessarily wrong with that, but it's probably more ambition than love of the community.
In most people, there's an innate desire for a challenge. What, specifically, that challenge is varies from person to person. Maybe it's state titles, maybe it's building a program or mentoring young men to prepare them to be responsible adults. Whatever that challenge is keeps them going.
Take Keith Warner at TS for example. What are the odds that he wins a state championship with such a low enrollment? He's done wonders there, and without a doubt knows the odds are stacked against him each and every year. I know he loves his community and those kids. He took on the task of head coach because he hated to see the program in the state it was in. Where does he go from here? He could go 6-4 or 7-3 every year, never win a playoff game, district/regional title and people would still say that he's doing a great job with the numbers he has. Will that be his career or will he go to a bigger school? Time will tell.
One thing is for certain. No coach in this area does it for the money.

This is very true.  It was like that when I went to school there in 96. The only time the program was rolling was then with Ramseyer.  Made the playoffs a year earlier. 

Coach Grande was a top notch guy, coached myself and older brother. He is currently at Iowa State doing big things with their coaching staff. Coached at E&H and Ferrum; tough lose for VA high school guys moving on to the next level.

Everyone knows this job is going to Chris Akers:)

I fully expect radio stations and PA announcers of a team to be homers. It's when a station that covers all in the county shows bias that gets me riled up..

Jimbo Fisher the lead candidate for the Richlands head coaching job....and he don't even need to be paid

I do believe when Lusk was there, he tried to get a few locals but he didn't inherit a great program either.  He didn't set the conference on fire either after a couple of years kinda back in the same old spot.  Coach Robbins is there in some form or fashion and a wealth of knowledge whether you like the guy or not he knows football, players, and how to establish a program.  Why not use your resources that are still around?  Colley, Robbins, Jones, Housewright, Colobro, Salyers, etc.  They've never coached college that I know of but rather than hiring a new guy without some old-school mentality, call on some local proven coaches.  What's the worst that could happen?  Another sub-par showing?

How does one get a head coach job anywhere with this type of stats?
 
Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs Kentucky Christian Knights (NAIA independent) (2007–2008) 2007 Kentucky Christian 2–4       2008 Kentucky Christian 1–9       Kentucky Christian: 3–13     Virginia–Wise Cavaliers (Mountain East Conference) (2016–present) 2016 Virginia–Wise 6–5 5–5 T–4th   2017 Virginia–Wise 5–6 4–6 T–6th   2018 Virginia–Wise 4–6 4–6 8th   Virginia–Wise Cavaliers (South Atlantic Conference) (2019–present) 2019 Virginia–Wise 2–9 1–7 8th   2020–21 Virginia–Wise 1–2 1–2 T–3rd (Mountain)   2021 Virginia–Wise 5–6 4–4 5th   2022 Virginia–Wise 2–9 1–8 5th (Mountain)   2023 Virginia–Wise 2-9 1-8 5th (Mountain)   Virginia–Wise: 27-52 21–46   Total: 30–65

Good. They have underachieved under his tenure.

Good. They have underachieved under his tenure.

Remember when you wanted to go out with a girl and she turned you down so you start telling all your buddies that she was ugly anyway? 
 
that’s the g folks with Creasy