tornado99

Union-Ridgeview 14-14. Lost the time. 3rd quarter.

Is Grundy 100.7 still? Too many choices this evening.

4 minutes ago, goose111874 said:

93.5 is local station but not sure who they’re covering 

1 minute ago, Unchained said:

Union-RV

Thanks, guys. 

2 hours ago, Liam McPoyle said:

In Gate City's '74 state semi-final game vs Amherst Co, Mickey Rogers rushed for 299 yards and 5TDs on just 14 carries.

 

Were you there for that one? That must have been an experience.

Does anyone have the radio coverage links? I know Graham is 107.7, but not sure about the others. Is Ridgeview-Union 93.5?

Thanks

3 hours ago, goose111874 said:

Shane Gibson Appalachia vs Bath Co. 1989 Half State

45 carries (was state record not sure if it’s been broken) 285 yards.

Bath Co. that season was 12-0 and Appalachia 7-5 

I didn’t look, but I believe Breeding broke the carries record with 46 against Salem and it may have been broken again by that Manassas Park QB in that title game vs PV.

2 hours ago, Real Sasquatch said:

Tydrez Clements.  409 rushing yards and 7 tds against Ridgeview in 2022.  Plus a bunch of receiving and return yards 

I remember this one, but didn’t see it in person. He had a big one against Union that I listened to as well.

I have been fortunate to see or hear some good performances, but unfortunately the most memorable came from the opposition at the local team’s expense, such as Madison County-Kirkley vs Burton and the Manassas Park QB against Powell Valley.

I remember the state title game and it was impressive. I lost the details in the Brookeville game, but it seemed to me like he was everywhere that day.

What are some of the best postseason performances in a single game by a local player that you have seen in person?

I will go with some of the following:

Brannon Breeding: 1992 semifinal vs Salem

Ahmad Bradshaw: 2002 or 3 vs Gretna

Xayvion Turner-Bradshaw: 2021 vs Appomattox Co

There were a couple of Austin Fuller performances, but I can’t remember whether it was against Liberty or Brookeville (facing Logan Thomas?)

1 hour ago, Union_Fan said:

Quick shout-out to the Ridgeview Volleyball team. They defeated James River 3-1 to secure their trip to the state championship game.

Congratulations!

Seconded. Congratulations!

24 minutes ago, rdh2443 said:

The one thing that makes RV and any team better is the consistency of their off season ,and for that, in season weight training and speed training. The new weight training coordinator at RV told me he has a direct plan that is going to create an intensive and almost mandated strength and training program at RV starting the next spring and continuing. The one thing that has made the holdback freshman so good this season is they all hammered the time in the gym. I for-see all athletes coming up from middle school on will be heavily involved in the program. This is a no brainer for any program. 

The act of holding back itself (physical maturity) and the extra year of training creates the advantage, especially if multiple players are doing so (unless equally or more talented teams do the same). The training definitely helps, but I’m surprised that it hasn’t already been done. It may have fallen off, but I thought all teams had a group of 8th graders lifting. We were weight training in 8th grade 30 years ago. The coordinating holdbacks seemed to have hit in some places around the same time or shortly after. 

55 minutes ago, SwvaOG said:

I'm wondering how RV continues to escape this assessment.  You wanna talk about a run of talent...over the past 5-6 years the schools best RB, QB and WR in history passed through and not one Region Championship to show for it....just two M7 championships.  Those skill positions were the most talented in the M7 over that period.  Additionally, numerous All-State level LBs, DBs, and DL as well.  And don't get me started on speed....they have had great team speed since 2018 with the luxury of having the fastest guys in the region for the past four years.  What M7 school can surpass Sproles, Hill and Honaker for LB over that period.......how about Hess, Beavers, Hill, Counts, Baker for WR?  Phillips and O'Quinn at QB?  Adkins, Hill, Honaker, Deel at RB?  Two All-State DL in Gibbs and Lester?  The hands down best kicking game in the region for the past 6-8 years...multiple all region kickers, punters and punt returners?  

I truly don't think the RV faithful understand the talent that was squandered.  They think it will be there every year and it won't....it is already starting to thin out.  

I’m a little fuzzy on the timeline and lazy to research, and I agree that is a ton of talent wasted.  My question and retort would be Union in the district and Graham in the region over the same timeline. I almost compare it to the Patriots and Chiefs dynasties in the NFL and Lakers, Spurs, Warriors in the NBA. Sure, each suffered a loss, but generally they were consistently the top dog. I guess that’s the tragedy is the Wolfpack weren’t able to get it done during those rare opportunities. Again, not specific to the timeline, but in recent history during that period, I retort with Cam Allen, Clements, Turner-Bradshaw, and some of the other speedsters that increases their team speed? The biggest for Union would be James Mitchell, but I remember them having a stable of capable backs to supplement the speed, including a track champion in Honeycutt? I’m not sure of speed, but I also remember a very good Polier have a terrific game against the Wolfpack and Adkins if I recall. The main difference has often been the offensive and defensive lines. I guess what I am saying is, yes they have squandered talent. However, maybe the biggest crime is while a big dog, they just couldn’t beat the biggest dog?

On 11/16/2024 at 8:53 AM, bearforce1 said:

Some very interesting match ups in 1D & 2D

Higher seeds gonna have their hands full 

With the weather in mind this time of year, while Air Raid is becoming more prevalent, all 8 of these teams have an ability to run the football. I know that you have to demonstrate an ability to pass. I just thought it interesting to point out, with 1D being particularly run-heavy.

Is Tanner Hall the same as Thomas Walker’s head coach?

20 minutes ago, goose111874 said:

Unless the rest of 2A is down I’d be surprised to see a local team win.  Graham has the defense to maybe pull it off but Poquoson seems to be the favorites.

That’s my feeling as well. VHS has speed enough to be a wildcard, but Graham is my pick because of their defense to represent 2D. As you said, Poquoson is the most likely champion.

As frustrating as it seems, Union’s losses have been against either similar or superior teams. Ridgeview is very good, but their MO seems to be losing to teams more physical. They are more equipped to compete with other teams such as Abingdon because of their diversity than Union, but struggle in a slugfest. 
In my opinion, either team from the other side of the bracket is more dangerous to those outside the region.

The Wolfpack must have some big plays in this one to win. As boring as it is to watch, Union can bully teams that are not as physical. I’m just not sure about Ridgeview only seeing the first game. Those dropped balls would have made a difference, but I saw the Bears line pushing around the pack all game. Unless there a huge injuries, I’m going with Union in a much closer game. I think the difference will be a Ridgeview turnover on a passing play (tipped ball, strip, or interception).

As I said before, Virginia High has the athletes to matchup with Graham, but the difference will be along the lines. It will be close, but Graham is more equipped for those long drives if necessary. For once, the weather probably slightly benefits Graham.

Smith can score anytime he has an opening. There will be much fewer openings than in recent weeks. I’m taking Graham by 7-10.

4 minutes ago, jeffro said:

I completely agree.  Bradshaw dominated when he was on the field period.  Was recruited to college as D player then eventually as we all know offensive player.  In my opinion there was never a better player on the field at any time than him and could single handily take over a game. ( remember stealing snap from Bluefield ) Clements is his own way was spectacular but not the force of Bradshaw. Of all the greats I’ve seen probably only the Jones guys we his equal 

I realize after the fact, that I went in too many directions in my thoughts, but comparing what we know (past and present) and using that to predict the future. 
I agree that to this day, the best all-around player that I have seen was Bradshaw, even though the record book for rushing would read Clements as number 1. I have seen the former in the NFL, but am unsure of the latter. 
The Jones brothers are probably the best running backs that I’ve seen, giving a slight edge to Thomas. I believe both of them had later starts sitting behind seniors, with Julius initially behind Thomas. We know both end up in the NFL. 
As far as quarterback play is concerned and this being a golden era, I have a hard time comparing them with Heath Miller and even some of the great Richlands passers (McCracken and Asbury) who initially sat behind a starter as compared to the recent 4-year starters.

The Jesse comparison is an interesting one to me. It’s amazing to potentially start as a running back for 4-years, which is special, but I really have a hard time seeing those named earlier or even slightly less heralded such as a Caleb Jennings who had shorter careers as starters. I’m excited to see how he develops, but am somewhat skeptical due to size being his greatest asset as a skill position player. Is Jake Houseright a more applicable comparison?

No slights intended, the comparisons are fascinating to me and how stats may not tell the whole story at times.

1 hour ago, TnT+h said:

I live down the road, so I am in the know, How did Lebanon benefit? Do you guys think they will open job up or just rubber stamp it and hire the interim?

1 hour ago, TnT+h said:

Meant to say I am not in the know!

Some of this is the assumption that the a key current transfer (running back) and future quarterback is related to either the coaching hires at Honaker or philosophy since the father is still a Honaker resident and supported Honaker athletics until this year where he is a Lebanon assistant (not a teacher). The running back is a big contributor to the Pioneers’ success this season.

Another post about a younger player made me think about career statistics versus season statistics when it comes to evaluating who or what is better much like comparing eras. For example what if you have a player who initially sits behind a senior starter, but has a phenomenal season or possibly junior and senior season. For a running back 4-1,000 yard seasons vs 2-1500 yard or 1-2000 yard seasons? I don’t have statistics in front of me to prove it but I have read about multiple school records being broken recently (particularly quarterbacks, but not always) that were once held by very talented predecessors. I’m thinking of Bradshaw-Clements, Musick-Miller just for recent examples. 
I also think about early growth spurt or holding back versus growth and development over time. Don’t come at me over the comparison I made size-wise, but I am thinking Lane Jesse-Devon Johnson comparison and speculation. Jesse is currently a 6-1, 230 lb freshman (pretty certain holdback). If I recall correctly, DJ was either 180-190 as a freshman-sophomore, vs 215-225 junior-senior. Did he get significantly better as an upper class man or simply bigger-stronger?

Plus Buchanan for now, but only 3 play football (Grundy, Hurley, Twin Valley, and Council).

1 hour ago, Dodgers said:

I noticed when compiling this list that Washington County is the only local county with four high schools. 

Mercer currently has 4 if you count the coverage area in this site (Bluefield, Princeton, Pikeview, and Montcalm).

Interesting post. Thanks for compiling this list. Traditionally, not simply county lines, I would have thought Wise County was the strongest (old LPD), but realize it may have a lot to do with the population and how they were divided. That said, in our coverage area, both traditionally and currently, the Greater Bluefield area is second to none Bluefield, Graham, and Princeton. Even if Montcalm and Pikeview are added to bring down the average, it’s a pretty safe bet that at least one of the bigger schools are going to be a powerhouse and with this season we have two in Princeton and Graham. 
As boundaries become blurred, it probably stays this way as long as they remain in separate classes. 
Lebanon and Honaker are good comparables this season being in 2 different classes. That may change either if Lebanon moves down in the future or experiences a typical talent cycle block if continuing in Class 2. I think both of their fortunes are closely tied to Richlands instead of County lines as there is more in common much like the greater Bluefield schools.

I don’t how much Grundy has peaked or a result of their front loaded schedule. They have been consistently good, but played the toughest opponents early in the year. Both are playing their best ball, so I think this is a very interesting matchup.