tornado99

I don’t know the kids personally, but assume Boyd and Garrett are additional help at WR and DB. Even if only one that’s a huge help to Reece and Baker, with Jessee.

I always assumed Graham had or would have athletes based upon what I remember historically. The G-men always seemed to have a speed advantage in the form of 1-2 athletes that could take it all the way if teams were equal along the line of scrimmage. I am not certain that Richlands has that in the pipeline although as I have said, I think we have several decent athletes coming up. The line really needs to improve. Some of that is probably both weight room and mainly mentality. I honestly have a hard time evaluating upcoming talent based upon feeder program results because it looks like overall you beat the competition you play much of the time and probably should. But, that’s a lot of teams we don’t play consistently in high school. Right now, there aren’t really any gimmes as you may have playing smaller schools. I can’t really discuss schemes in detail due to all with the different schools of thought, but I feel like the game itself has moved away from the general athletic population that resides in Richlands historically. The game has dramatically shifted to spread it around and use the entire field rather than create numbers advantages and using power. I wonder if going old school would create a novelty advantage because schools don’t see it as much, but we currently don’t have enough to execute (see Riverheads and Rye Cove). Looking at our opponent, Lebanon on recent history has been generally poor to mediocre. Currently, they have several things going for them. They have a generational quarterback to build around. I know they have a new coach, and that can do wonders, but the jury is out for consistency. In one year, the turnaround is impressive. That is clearly helped by a rapid influx of talent. According to Crigger, more basketball players have come out for the team and the obvious addition of the RB from Honaker is a huge swing for a smaller school. Not to overstate it, Lebanon plays some weaker or Class 1 teams on its schedule which provides a little breathing room. It’s like playing an ACC schedule instead of an SEC schedule, that allows you to occasionally rest up, heal up, or not be at your best for whatever reason and still have a chance to win. I think this is a similar recipe to bring Richlands back to respectability. Good luck to the Blues and for both to come out healthy.

Thanks, GMan for the hopeful reminder. I couldn’t remember the time period. In the beginning, was it the Palmer influence only of was there some talent waiting initially.

Is this because Union only recruits soccer players for their and their families’ ability to fight? (Just kidding, Bears fans.)

If you’re referring to Albert, He was immediately after Luke Owens. Luke graduated the year or 2 before me. I believe 1998, but not for sure.

I believe 1999-2003?

Besides the friendly/not so friendly confines of home (I miss the grass and mud.) my favorite place to play and watch is Mitchell Stadium. I actually like Legion next primarily due to the size of the visitors bleachers, even if invaded by the home fans. As a bystander watching a random game sitting on the home side, I’m partial to Bullitt park. Tazewell and Honaker are tossups for me, but lean toward Tazewell due to childhood nostalgia.

As far as Graham is concerned, just play to your strengths and maul the cats for a win. Bearcats, do as OG says. Open up the playbook and try to find a weakness.

Hindsight is 20/20, but that reminds me of statement that I used to hear often, but only occasionally now that goes, “We have athletes, but not football players.” You are correct, and this is in line with the sprint-based football/feed the cats philosophy where you don’t “run off” your best athletes by making practices or games unnecessarily hard or not fun. I will say, either by design or coincidence, as far as the 2 Richlands state championships are concerned, the coaches got it right with their different philosophies. 2006 appeared to have more of those athletic kids, while 1992 had 2-3, but a plethora of big strong linemen. I question relatively in today’s time if you have fewer athletes, that you are better served by an under center, run-heavy offense maybe somewhat due to novelty. They apparently have a good group of athletes, but thinking about Rye Cove as I type this for example.

I wonder how we would have done in the spread. I also wonder if part of the success was due to being an early adopter and everyone needing to catch up because they weren’t use to seeing it or defending it? It seems now that almost everyone runs the spread, whether they have the athletes or not. In that situation it seems the recruiting part is emphasized. Until then, as an outsider, it’s like fitting square pegs into round holes. I take it that you must begin developing that style in youth before reaching high school.

So, do you start with what you have (athletes) or with what you like? Union and sometimes Gate City seems to have embraced the T as part of their identity, while Giles is the single wing. I will say the Mance years started out wishbone and I, before fully embracing the spread.

Honestly, anything from 7-3 to 9-1 won’t surprise me. Barring injury, at this time I’d take the 9-1 barely edging Tazewell.

Virginia High is usually the opposite in that they usually have skill guys to match Graham and not the line. I don’t remember if last year or the year before, but one of those missing was their most explosive player (Clements). Just ask Union about the difference in Graham last year with a hobbled Clements and a healthy one between the two games. Graham is usually deep, but doesn’t have quite the same breakaway threat. 28-7 wouldn’t surprise me, though.

Another chicken and egg question…Does scheme follow athletes or do athletes follow schemes (more touches to go around)?

All of these factors are extremely frustrating for opponents. For those close, such as Union and occasionally Ridgeview, the controllables are probably most frustrating, like coaching and culture. For the rest of us, the seemingly natural talent gap on the skill positions is most frustrating.

Both are very true. I’m sure one of the Union victories included James Mitchell. Graham is very blessed with all the ingredients for optimal success. Coaching-check Athletes-check Culture-check Strength and Conditioning-check Transfers-check Structured/strategic holdbacks-check. All good and bad will eventually end, but currently they are in a virtuous cycle.

I’ll concede Graham was good in 2017, but my point was once they got over the hump everyone else has been playing catch up in Region D.

I remember, but Graham was also coming out of the dark ages before hiring Tony Palmer. Graham only truly ascended at the time of Cam Allen. They began to be pretty good slightly before.

I hate to further hijack this thread since Union is the closest thing to a foil for Graham, but winning 6x doesn’t really tell the whole story. 3 wins initially was before Graham won the title or was really good. It’s been quite one-sided since 2018 in favor of the G-men at 7-3. In this game, Graham by 3 TDs.

Evidently, there’s a good chance Graham remains in Union’s way. I don’t know about the G-man feeder program, but there seems to be lots of talent either upcoming or waiting to join. Credit Palmer and company for the excitement. Now it just feels like the task is not to mess it up.

You creative guys are hilarious….and honest.

I am sure there is a happy medium, and Union’s case this might be specific. However, Graham seems to have plenty of help on the sidelines. I will say it appears that Richlands doesn’t have enough help. One of Mance’s strengths was the number of good people with experience around him. I believe Ronnie Davis is the right man for the job, but there might not be enough one on one attention. More eyes can observe and correct issues. This isn’t meant as criticism, but lending a different perspective.

Maybe a factor since they aren’t is good is there is not enough points to be gained by winning?

Is O’Quinn better than Reece? Creasy? Seriously asking and not just to start an argument.

Nobody’s perfect lol (just piggy backing my coaching staff compliment).