tornado99

One of the biggest tragedies in Richlands Athletics history. The Mance staff consisting of Palmer, Davisx3, Daugherty, Tarter, Strong, Wess, etc. was one of the best around. 

This is a very interesting take. My biggest concern with talent development trends in most sports is the way to early separation of the haves and have nots. Football especially is dependent upon physicality and way too many potential players are prevented from learning and developing due to injury, burnout, or negative experiences due to bad coaching or late maturity. Smaller teams with seemingly more equitable talent breeds more playing time and fewer blowouts.

This is a very interesting take. My biggest concern with talent development trends in most sports is the way to early separation of the haves and have nots. Football especially is dependent upon physicality and way too many potential players are prevented from learning and developing due to injury, burnout, or negative experiences due to bad coaching or late maturity. Smaller teams with seemingly more equitable talent breeds more playing time and fewer blowouts.

Collier at Rye Cove has done a great job, but not knowing him, I assumed geography would be an issue. I wasn’t aware of Warner’s connection, but know Nickelsville is closer than Duffield. Both of their results cannot be overlooked. 
 
Union was very blessed to have Travis Turner ready to step up during consolidation to steer the ship that is usually stacked with talent and tradition.

This, if doable, is very logical. Occasionally, especially with transfers, Honaker has more absolute talent than Richlands, but usually simply because of numbers, Richlands usually has more talent. Honaker has the advantage of talent relative to enrollment. One or two athletic kids means a world of difference in Class 1, compared to competition. They are clearly the most talented 1D team. When compared to Union, Graham, and Radford, I believe it’s a sizable gap. The Tigers are currently the big fish in the small pond.

I, for one, am not a Tazewell hater. As a matter of fact, I root for them when not playing Richlands. Tonight’s the same; however, otherwise, I am happy for Dennis Palmer’s success. That said, as hopeful as some are (me included), I can’t help but doubt Tazewell. I’ve seen it too many times, and human nature causes me to sometimes wrongly doubt, the same way I have been overly optimistic about the Blues. The reasonable part of me thinks the following: 1. Tazewell wins by “out-athleting” most on their schedule. 2. Graham is one of the few teams that Tazewell does not have an edge in this category. 
 
If Graham doesn’t beat themselves by penalties and turnovers, I’m taking the G-men by 10-14. 

WCYB did an excellent job! I’m no longer in their coverage area but watched on YouTube/Roku. If that was James Colley he’s a pleasure to listen call the game.

WCYB did an excellent job! I’m no longer in their coverage area but watched on YouTube/Roku. If that was James Colley he’s a pleasure to listen call the game.

I despise when I hear someone blaming the refs, even if our own fan bases. I will admit three occurrences when I felt the officiating affected the outcome of the game, although one is debatable. As a Richlands fan, I’m sure most can guess. Again, it could have been a product of my age/lack of maturity.

I despise when I hear someone blaming the refs, even if our own fan bases. I will admit three occurrences when I felt the officiating affected the outcome of the game, although one is debatable. As a Richlands fan, I’m sure most can guess. Again, it could have been a product of my age/lack of maturity.

This season, yes.

This season, yes.

I posted in the wrong thread, but it sounds like a traffic jam on TV. Maybe, an indicator of age.

The next season (1999) was 2-8 before being 5-5 or better every season afterwards until his final 1-2 years.

Excellent explanation and use of graphics. You should be an OC, or at least an analyst. (No sarcasm intended. I enjoy seeing the detailed breakdown.)

Excellent explanation and use of graphics. You should be an OC, or at least an analyst. (No sarcasm intended. I enjoy seeing the detailed breakdown.)

I have noticed this, as well. The pressure to win and being judged solely by wins and losses has become more important than teaching valuable lessons and becoming productive citizens. That said, disciplinarian shouldn’t be the primary concern of the coach and the first place the players receive those lessons. That should be the domain of the parents, in which we have fallen short for a variety of factors. Sports should reinforce those lessons, not be the source of them. 

I have noticed this, as well. The pressure to win and being judged solely by wins and losses has become more important than teaching valuable lessons and becoming productive citizens. That said, disciplinarian shouldn’t be the primary concern of the coach and the first place the players receive those lessons. That should be the domain of the parents, in which we have fallen short for a variety of factors. Sports should reinforce those lessons, not be the source of them. 

These are the excellent points. My only explanation for some places (like Riverheads) would be prioritization. I can’t speak to Riverheads’ other sports, but compared to Galax under Dixon, compared to now, but in each case of a smaller school football was or is the primary focus. 
In many schools with travel sports, baseball/softball appears to be the primary focus with many SWVA schools. In others, it may be basketball. 
Redtiger, Sixcat, and Cousin Hoyt are correct on all accounts. Some are blessed with good athletes to cross over somewhat and have success, but generally with football, which is more dependent upon numbers is emphasized primarily in communities such as Bluefield, Big Stone Gap/Appalachia, and Clintwood/Haysi. Everywhere else, results are cyclical.

I have noticed this, as well. The pressure to win and being judged solely by wins and losses has become more important than teaching valuable lessons and becoming productive citizens. That said, disciplinarian shouldn’t be the primary concern of the coach and the first place the players receive those lessons. That should be the domain of the parents, in which we have fallen short for a variety of factors. Sports should reinforce those lessons, not be the source of them. 

I have noticed this, as well. The pressure to win and being judged solely by wins and losses has become more important than teaching valuable lessons and becoming productive citizens. That said, disciplinarian shouldn’t be the primary concern of the coach and the first place the players receive those lessons. That should be the domain of the parents, in which we have fallen short for a variety of factors. Sports should reinforce those lessons, not be the source of them. 

Winning is the (somewhat) controllable that draws the athletes. Geography, as pointed out, is a natural advantage to some places more than others.
The goal remains, to do the best with what you have and can control. The rest is debatable on message boards and fun to debate.

Could tonight have been the scare the Bulldogs need for a talented roster to play up to their talent level? 
 
Was this a confidence boost for the Blues going toe to toe with a more talented team? Or is letting a win slip through through their fingers too devastating to overcome? Let’s see how they respond. 
 
Fun fact: Current Blues coach Brannon Breeding and his classmates won the state championship at 14-0 in 1992. During their freshman season, they would have endured a 2-8 campaign in 1989. In not predicting anything, but providing an example for the younger players to keep improving.
 

Hard fought game by both teams. Sports, especially football, teaches hard life lessons. Probably the most important lesson is to be responsible for your actions and control what you can control. You can’t worry about or blame things outside your control. If you make mistakes, learn from them and move on. It’s better that kids learn them now. Good luck the rest of the way.

I believe they resume at 7 tonight with free admission. I’m not sure about NFHS.