tornado99

Despite my sometimes skeptical analysis and posts considering economic growth in Botetourt and transfers/recruiting allegations, I do honestly believe he is an excellent coach and the right person for the job. I believe he emphasizes fundamentals and toughness, which matches the community well. Will there be a change in scheme that requires adjustment? I don’t know. What I have observed with limited information, was the success of the running game at LB. A few years prior, LB had a receiver with career record numbers before the widespread passing explosion in the high school game. I definitely believe Harless is a huge reason for the success and turnaround. I don’t want to make projections, but I do believe that Union is one of a handful of places that consistently has a reasonable shot at winning a state title. I’m happy for you guys.

Thanks. That was my assumption, but wasn’t familiar on the girls side. I guess it is an athletic and/or hard working family. Congratulations, Lady Bears!

Is Witt related to former Viking QB, Ryan Witt?

This was a combination of talented underclassmen and a large number holding back in eighth grade. Let’s hope it pays faster dividends, much like Ridgeview.

I think Richlands has the right pieces in place and is on the right trajectory with coaching, strength and conditioning, and a talented rising junior class. I think the results hinge on replacing the quarterback and improving the offensive line. (I don’t know the specific plans or what is in the cupboard lineman-wise.) I see winning records over the next 2-3 seasons thanks to the factors mentioned previously. My skepticism or hesitation is only based on how much control we have with the existing players. Simply put, in my humble opinion, the Blues will have several very good athletes at several positions. I’m just not aware of the elusive home run threat that the great teams have. If he stays healthy, I am impressed by one of the running backs. If they get a game breaker moving up the pipeline or from the transfer portal (no knowledge here), that would be the difference between 6-4 or 7-3 vs 8-2 or 9-1. I haven’t looked at the schedule, nor do I know what other teams are returning. Sometimes the strength of your competition determines your records more than your own talent. Much like when you have a slightly less talented team win a championship compared to one that falls just short.

Thomas Jones is still THE BEST high school running back I have ever seen. As good as the offensive line may have been his quickness provided moments of absolute brilliance that I have not seen anyone consistently make. I still believe Bradshaw may have been the best player, but that Grena program with Vic Hall was too much to overcome by a solo effort.

I am agreeing with you that PV competes regardless of division. I’m just emphasizing the fact that those two are head and shoulders above most of the names mentioned, backed up by NFL careers and not speculation. PV is still solid, and probably wins a couple of those state titles. It is questionable whether the state titles come in Divisions 3 and 4 without them. Having 2 of those virtually back to back is something that NO SWVA area school had had. (Period).

I agree, with some context. In 1989, Richlands was not a solid program at all. I can’t vouch for 1990. However, the 94-95 and 97-98 are clear outliers because of one family. All of those Powell Valley teams are solid, but you cannot replicate nor replace the magnitude of having the Jones brothers. Those Vikings teams are the only ones with indisputable NFL talent playing positions that touch the ball most plays. In those days, RB was the most important position, not QB. There are some years, I question who would have or could have won. Nonetheless, I can say with very little doubt, that without the Jones brothers they are certainly not head and shoulders above the rest. PV was a solid program throughout, but elite, not simply due to coaching and tradition. They were simply blessed or lucky to have them as part of their program.

Congratulations to all the area individual champions, and to Rural Retreat. We got so accustomed, and rightfully so, with Grundy’s dominance, but Rural Retreat has had a solid wrestling program for years. Region C and D’s showing is a testament toward the commitment to the sport. Unlike basketball, wrestling doesn’t seem to be dominated by the best natural athletes, though it helps, but by discipline and technique. There’s a lot of tough kids in SWVA. Special shout out to the improvement of Richlands thanks to the wrestling club. The emphasis on building a team, not just individuals is bearing fruit with the 4th place finish without a single individual champion, but several solid performances. Great job!

I bet it only needed 2 pages, one for PV and one for Appy based off 1990s talent.

I think that was the final spark lol. The off the court stuff preceding that incident led to that point, I’m sure. It extended to the gridiron and other schools. The end result was a temporary outflow of talent from Richlands.

To Stelly’s point those issues on and off the court a few years ago that contributed to the transfer along with a couple other girls is what made the current situation that sits at 1-12. (I think they were Region finalists her freshman year.) As Gridiron said, if she and others stayed it might have been a different story. That situation likely extended to the gridiron situation the past few seasons before the improvement this year.

2010 Richlands that lost to Poquoson. 2001 Graham that lost to Harrisonburg. 2005 Richlands that lost to Turner Ashby.

I shouldn’t be skeptical though. Whoever gets the job, should be qualified and do a great job. The Union tradition, talent, support, and youth program sets up the hire for success. All that’s missing is someone who can turn it into a coveted state title.

This. With all due respect, Harless’s success doesn’t really stack up to Mance, though impressive (state finals appearances). Palmer exceeds both in that respect. Again, Harless may be a great coach on the field. I’m just skeptical because of those aspects mentioned being too easily overlooked or underestimated. The location likely set him up nicely with that base of talent, not to mention being in the smaller class than the other Roanoke schools. Northside falling off correlates with that success as well. The early winning may have helped. I just think he started with a little bit of a leg up. (Palmer did as well. You don’t find a J. Cousins on most area teams as Palmer began. Play with the hand dealt. Some start with better hands.)