tornado99

I haven't seen either team play in a couple years, but remember being impressed by Finley 2 years ago before he was hurt. I also remember reading about Grant being one of the best players on the field when losing to a talented Honaker team last year when being out of town. With that combination, it's no doubt they are impressive. With that said, I am taking Radford by 7. Could anyone confirm that Grant is related to Clintwood legend, John McFall? That seems to ring a bell for me as well. Thanks

Richlands 34 Union 28 In a close game, I predict a special teams return by Atkinson or Howie gives Richlands the edge.

1.Richlands 2.Union 3.Giles 4.Bluefield 5.Radford 6.Galax 7.Abingdon 8.Pulaski County 9.Ridgeview 10.Central 10.

Correction: Richlands won in 1998 at Mitchell Stadium either 41-3 or 41-10. My senior year the regular season losses were to PV and Lee. Either way, a Bluefield was the better team last night, and has the most consistently successful program. Richlands has only become a consistent winner during the Vaught and Mance eras which is something to be proud. Bluefield has always had great coaching, but what really sets them apart is speed. Speed is something you must be born with first before it is developed. Congrats to both teams on a great effort and good luck the rest of the season.

After reading many of the articles and posts, it seems as if the Honaker-Galax and George Wythe-Clintwood games are exactly the same match-ups. Both underdogs have 2 losses. Both have very good I-formation tailbacks that carry the load, as well as physical offensive lines. The favorites are undefeated and have speed galore. That being said, my heart likes power over speed (if there is some speed with the power like Clintwood and Honaker), but my brain says unless there is a huge disparity in power/line play, then speed wins out. My prediction GW 24-Clintwood 21.

If only by going on what I have read, Galax is clearly the favorite; however, that was the case at JI Burton (at least according to BHC). This past Saturday, in the first few plays, there was no doubt in my opinion that Honaker would beat Burton. Honaker was more physical and Burton could not stop them on offense all day. Honaker did not need to pass the ball, but did so in order to keep Burton honest and was successful when they did pass. Burton was forced to pass because they could not stop Honaker, and their line was being dominated. The game was close on the scoreboard, and yes Burton had a chance to win, but those opportunities were created more by Honaker mistakes. If Honaker's offensive line is as dominant this Friday, they have a chance to pull off the upset.

I agree with many of the points; however, I can only speak for what I see from Richlands. I admit there are fewer who bench press 300 pounds, but the kids I have seen in the weight room are much better athletes. I am a firm believer that as a whole, kids aren't nearly as tough although there are still exceptions. On the other hand, which may go along with the system argument, the weight programs have gone to speed development to complement the offenses. A classic example would be the 205 pound junior Jeremy McCommons vs the 225 pound senior Jeremy McCommons. As a junior, he wasn't as strong, but anyone would agree he was much faster and more explosive. Also he wasn't as injury-prone when he didn't have the "bulky" muscle. I believe it has paid dividends for Richlands in getting away from the low rep/high weight workouts. In the 90s, all we wanted to do was "get bigger". Now with age, I wish I would have worked on benching 200 multiple times instead of 300+ once or twice.

I've noticed that as well, but find it odd. At Richlands the kids are much taller now, than I remember when I was in school and prior with much larger enrollments. The kids walking around are big and lean. The biggest difference I notice is the Graham. They used to be huge, or they looked bigger because they all wore neck rolls.

PV or GC alum?

Other than watching Richlands win in 2006, I haven't been more proud of watching a SWVA at the neutral sites, than I was watching that GC team run roughshod over Essex. I figured they were special after seeing them beat Radford in a great semifinal matchup. The year before the GW-GC game was also very memorable for me. It was the only time I have ever been to GW.

An often overlooked reason as well. It makes me wonder, as many of those who were tough as nails like those we have mentioned, are now often part of the problem.

Thanks. Great athletes. One I played against who I thought was a great football player was Matt McCoy. Went to college with Jake Stepp, Clay Prewitt, and Luke Gilley. All solid players that I remember, although Julius Jones rightfully garnered the headlines.

Whatever happened to Sheldon Adams? PV also had a huge TE. He had great speed, but lost to a very talented GC team in the Region. For GC fans reading, whatever happened to Tyler Kilgore and Isaiah Spivey? That State Championship team was probably the most physically dominant local team I have seen in the finals since finals were held at neutral sites.

I agree with all of the arguments of why SWVA has struggled the last few years (enrollment, change of schemes, etc.), but for the past teams especially in the 90s, early 2000s, the successful teams usually had a special D1 or D2 caliber athlete leading the team. The Jones Brothers greatly contributed to 4 of PVs titles. Travis Clark was regarded by some to be as talented as Julius during some of Appalachia's success in the late 90s. Travis Turner was no slouch himself. Gate City had Jake Houseright, Chad Beasley, Josh Shoemaker, Benny? Wolfe. Honaker had Heath Miller. Eric Satterfield at Lee was a beast. Richlands has had Austin Fuller, Caleb Jennings (D3 I know, but very successful), Justin McCracken, now a Devon Johnson. Barcliff from GW, as well as Throckmorton? were also special. Each school had an athlete with the ability to take over again if needed. We just don't see those athletes as often currently, probably due to lack of enrollment.

Was 1997 the last year Southwest Virginia teams won state titles in Divisions 1 (Appalachia), 2 (Powell Valley), 3 (Gate City)? It would be nice if there was a realistic chance of it happening again...

I would consider Bradshaw the best and most complete player I have ever seen. In my opinion Thomas Jones was the better RB in high school, but not nearly as good on D.

I almost forgot how good Thomas really was. Still the best high school running back I have ever seen.

A successful Little Leage program is vital to Varsity programs producing quality players in the future. At the lower levels players learn fundamentals, techniques, as well as the values of playing as a team together. Once they reach Middle School and varsity, a good foundation is already established to build on. The varsity coaches who spend countless hours in further developing players and building a culture of hard work are the final ingredients in developing a successful, consistent program. That being said, there are a lot of variables that can affect the results, but overall the formula remains the same and can "control" the variation of talent cycles. As many posters have conveyed, success in one level does not always translate to success at the next. These are: 1. Maturity--Players develop at different stages in their life and can make a marked difference in little league, middle school, and jv. The effects tend to level out at the varsity level. 2: Holdbacks--To build on #1, there tends to be a big difference in redshirt 8th, 9th, and 10th graders, than upperclass counterparts. Especially if there is a culture in place that encourages holding back for sports. The advantage is often evident, but lesser at later stages. An eighth grade team with multiple holdbacks will usually dominate. 3. Numbers--Many communities have combined little leagues. For example, Richlands includes both Honaker (2 teams) and Twin Valley (1 team). If teams from Twin Valley or Honaker are greater in little league, the sum at later stages is not often greater than the sum of the overall talent of 4 Richlands teams combined. Also, the vast majority of Richlands' talent was developed in the Midget League Program.

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Off hand I would say Brookville since they won last year, but I don't know enough about either. Your thoughts?

I'd go with Jarod Honaker-Honaker barring injury. Next, Berglowe and Cooper. Winner of district will have POY.

I'm going with 1. Gate City 2. Virginia High (probably most athletic) 3. Lebanon (not confident here, but they usually have something) 3. Lee (should be improved, but never seem to get it together since the '90s) 5. Battle (same old, same old)

I watched the Region D title game and was both equally impressed with Clintwood's toughness, as well as Burton's speed. I remember Dotson being a force, as well as Gavin Meade. Miles impressed me some from Burton (don't know what class he is), but I liked another kid as well (Maggard?) So, who are the backs from PV and Appy?

How is Union and Central expected to do this year? Are Clintwood and J.I. Burton supposed to be strong again?