tornado99

That is my best guess. But I would happily accept that package deal if available.

With all else equal, the difference is often speed. Clements is the difference maker. A tiny opening or broken/missed tackle is almost certainly a touchdown. Most others equate to a first down and continued drive. It’s been the major reason that Graham has represented the Region most years. Congratulations Union on a terrific season. Congratulations G-men on the win! Good luck representing Region D.

Interesting assessment. I hadn’t thought about that, but it makes sense. How times have changed!

That explains it. What a roller coaster of emotions for a football-crazed town that you wouldn’t want to raise a family! (Just kidding, referring to Haun’s comments in the article posted in the thread. Obviously, I disagree with his comments if that was an accurate quote.)

Thanks for the insight. I remember huge crowds and high expectations, but looking at four seasons football, the scores and records did not make sense. My somewhat simple minded approach was always big linemen, but little speed. A speedy tailback was the difference between success and futility. We always failed to beat Tazewell, no matter how good we were. Vaught seemed to change the results. If I recall correctly, his first year began a run of consecutive victories over Tazewell after losing several in a row.

Glenvar FG. Up 10-7.

How would you guys that remember describe the results before the Vaught and Mance hires? My recollection, although limited, was consistently poor or mediocre with occasional solid seasons. If that is the case, why? If I recall, Richlands had a comparatively high enrollment. I remember some insights via posts from Richlands alum, but am curious of details. My memories begin 1986, but the playoff game in 1987 with Virginia High is my first vivid memory for context.

Agreed.

I certain that this isn’t an option being discussed. Like sixcat, the mention spurred me to look back as well. I am still curious about the staff though. Maybe, it was disassociation with the past? Maybe, he was tough to work for or with? Regardless, a few of those assistants who did not come back joined Coach Mance when we was hired as successor.

Thanks. I thought I had heard part of that, but didn’t put the pieces together. My freshman and sophomore years he was back, but very few were on staff that were with him before the suspension.

I sometimes wonder about how or why he came to Richlands and the causes behind his staff turnover between the stints of the championship and second short run after suspension. As stated before, he was an excellent motivator and strategist. I know of him being from Washington County, but not much more other than he worked his magic at Lexington to win a state title before coming to Richlands.

I appreciate this perspective, and long for those times. Mine was somewhat different, but no less impactful. There were 5 teams: Richlands Green Wave, Richlands Redskins, Raven Crimson Tide, Cedar Bluff Blue Devils, and Baptist Valley Tigers. I was a Green Wave. Our coaches were young guys that were recent graduates. Chris Grinstead, Kelly Grinstead, and Scott Bumgarner. They taught fundamentals, and discipline. The biggest impact for me was it being an important part of a greater relationship. I learned the Lord’s Prayer, not in church, but as a result of those games or practices where it was recited, and I was embarrassed for not knowing it initially. Some coaches probably never realize the impact made off the field.

You brought up an excellent argument about erring on the side of numbers and players developed, besides the competition factor, and that is physical maturity. So many of the early starters or incumbents benefit from early puberty and/or at the middle school level multiplying the benefits by holding back. If I kid is a late bloomer that is fundamentally sound and stays interested, he may end up being the better player senior year than the one in 7th/8th grade.

I will say in defense of those who were, and are in administration, were dealing with the issues of downward trending numbers when teams were consolidating. I think recently, the numbers have increased giving us the current dilemma of too many players per team. My observation/opinion was that there were a couple of spells of too many players for two teams, but not enough to reliably field 3 consistently. I don’t know enough about 8 man, just intrigued by the Galax posts, but that is a mathematical approach. If numbers are consistent, and drafts were every year, it’s a simple solution to divide the teams. I think the hardest thing in human nature is not elevating immediate returns (wins, championships, accolades), for the long term goals such as character development. It’s definitely easier to take a talented player who needs little instruction, than starting with a project to make a role player. It’s probably not a popular opinion, because I don’t dismiss participation trophies entirely. I think kids should be rewarded for their efforts in addition to accomplishments. I see it as champions>participation >not trying.

I wonder about both sides of the arguments concerning football especially. I think varsity involvement is a must on either side. More teams, and in-house, develops and teaches a greater number of kids. The fewer teams and traveling likely develops and is more beneficial to your core best athletes. I would argue that Honaker, Hurley, Lebanon, etc. has benefited more from the current arrangement than Richlands in what is less than a numbers game. Five or 6 stars makes a significant difference in Class 1 versus Class 2. I prefer in-house for personal reasons and believe it is the journey more than the destination, but concede the benefits to other side. I look to Big Stone Gap and Galax as examples that other posters have mentioned and would encourage outreach to seemingly successful communities for their opinions and results. Maybe, some of the smaller communities prefer the current feeder system in place as I have mentioned (SWVA League?). My suggestion for compromise if there is a divide may not be feasible for a number of reasons, but I would look to the models of other sports that have travel sports for the gifted, those committed, and/or in better places financially, and local recreation programs for the rest that may eventually feed into the others. Example: 4-5 evenly distributed teams (this is where 8 man may come into play), play a short season or portion and the rest play a normal season. If that doesn’t work, you can have A and B teams or something to the equivalent of JV/varsity. Disclaimer: I’m just trying to think of ideas and acknowledge obstacles such as time, money, and volunteers. I believe that the vast majority of those coaches and administrators have good intentions and are trying to do the best they can. I also have an inherent bias to getting as many as possible to learn and enjoy the best parts of the game for the longest time. That may or may not equate to wins and losses, although the optimist hopes that takes care of itself. While I’m not a huge fan of travel sports, I acknowledge that it is here and can be a good thing in the right situations. Feedback welcomed.

Former PV and UVA-W QB?

He’s a great player, but an even better person. His parents have raised him well.

Congratulations to those seniors. Good luck to them all.

Good game by Tazewell. Congratulations on a great season. For the Bears, the difference after the interception was the offensive line with the 99 yard drive. The Bears will have to play better to beat the G-men again in the rematch, especially with a healthy Clements and improved QB play.

Agreed. Honaker’s ability to run and pass unequaled in 1C and 1D.

I think this phenomenon is universal. I think the amount of talent fluctuating has made the effect more noticeable on this end of the county. The coaching stability certainly would temper this effect, magnify it by the lack of stability.

I agree with all of the recent posts about feeder programs, fundamentals, and development aspects of discipline posted by old school, S10,SXSW, and TrueBlue have it right. I think the elephant in the room is that the coaches and their job security are dependent upon wins and losses. That often leads to questionable practices or impatience. In a perfect world, teaching all those qualities are always reflected in the win column. Unfortunately, that often isn’t the case. Example: A team wins handily despite tons of penalties due to lack of discipline.

Not accepting the lower standards than Richlands is accustomed to in recent history, and in the spirit of extending this topic, how about some input by those who have experienced the lows of coaching changes after terrible seasons and either recovery or improvement? What are reasonable expectations or steps and time? Graham goes from a 70-0 loss to Gate City to 2 state titles and a runner up. Tazewell per other thread, went from winless seasons and a coaching carousel to vastly improved consistent playoff team. Gate City?

Overall, I agree. I will say, in my opinion Honaker picked up one if not 2 good ones. There are some diamonds in the rough. It seems to me that it’s probably a 50/50 split nowadays between coaches who are teachers and those who are not.

I believe Honaker is destined for Salem. They can be beat, BUT I believe they can win in a variety of ways. The Air Raid is getting most of the attention; however, when the chips are down, I’m taking Aiden Lowe and his ability to control the game on the ground against anyone in 1C or 1D. The Tigers just haven’t needed to rely on the ground game except for the second half against PH.