Hokie Bound

Sounds like it was a good game. Gotta give Coach Warner and his staff credit. They've done an excellent job since he took over. They are listed with 135 students on the VHSL Alignment chart or 307 out of 315 schools enrollment wise.

I see both sides of this debate. 1st and 2nd grade might be a little young for putting on the pads but in my opinion 3rd and 4th graders should be allowed to play tackle football with the PROPER COACHING. I also agree that many little league programs are about daddy coaching junior and junior being the star when junior is definitely not the star. Little league football is a kids first experience to the game and it needs to be a positive experience. By that I mean coaches need to be qualified with coaching experience and teach the kids the right way to play the game. A bad little league experience can run kids away from the game but so can a bad middle or high school experience. There are more unqualified coaches at the middle and high school levels than people realize as many of them coach to stroke their own ego. Marion had a very rough middle school season and I'm not sure if that was from being behind in fundamentals, lack of coaching or talent, or a combination of all three.

Just got it confirmed. For whatever reason they stopped playing in pads several years. So when kids get to middle school they get to tackle for the first time lol. I can't believe a 2A school plays flag football until middle school. Word is parents are pretty upset and are trying to get things back to where they used to be.

I know. I didin't believe it at first but then I heard some of the kids where playing little league at Chilhowie for this very reason. I'm fairly certain it is true. Can Liam or anyone out there from Marion confirm this.

There are other in SWVA schools that need to consolidate. Some schools are getting so small the kids are taking off the wall classes so the school has somewhere to put the kids. Consolidation would allow kids the opportunity to take better classes preparing them for the future. I get that people don't want to lose their school but what is best for the kids is what needs to be done. kids are kids and they would be fine with consolidation.

I've heard that Marion doesn't put their football players in pads until middle school. If true that is insane!

13 penalties for 143 yards. Wow. That probably had a lot to do with it. Good luck to Chilhowie as they return to the playoffs.

Things are setting up for a classic between Union and Graham in late November. I hope both teams can come being as close to 100% healthy as possible. That is the game everyone wants to see. Two powerhouses with great great athletes,coaches,fans, and unwavering community pride! Big Stone Gap will be rocking.

Excellent post! I couldn't agree more. The "good-ole-boys-club" can send a program in the wrong direction mightily fast. I've seen much lesser qualified candidates get the job over much more qualfied candidates and the program gets stuck in neutral or even reverse for that matter. I've heard several people say its not what you know but who you know. Very true statement!.

I think another thing that helps is all three are super competitive.

Did Graham and Union play each other in JV ball? I believe both teams have several underclassmen playing on the varsity squads. The future looks bright for both teams. I've heard Union's little league program is well organized which is definitely a plus since those kids are the team's future.

Yes they definitely have something special for sure with all the coaching experience. Is Collier a teacher also and where all has he coached before landing at Rye Cove? Seems like his son played at Gate City if I'M not mistaken.

Would Rye Cove still be dominant without B.I. Salyers and Robbie Norris? Two of the best former head coaches in the area. Could be the best coaching staff around.

I know Coach Carroll and he is good with the kids. Hope the kid stays at Lee but if not then I wish him the best.

Why would Pendergraft be leaving? Coach Carroll is a good guy and the kids seem to like him.

Marion is too physical for Va High. They win 28-14. This is probably the best group of kids Marion has had in awhile. They had potential to be special but things never really materialized the last couple of years. The JV and 8th grade teams have struggled. I see Marion struggling to compete in the near future.

So what did you hear? Doesn't mean much if you don't finish the story. As Paul Harvey always said "Now you know .... the rest of the story"

Making the playoffs

Does anyone know the teams with the longest playoff droughts in 1A and 2A in SWVA? Do you know which teams that would be Union Fan or anyone else? Just curious who the teams would be.

Six would definitely be a good number. I think the region in which Riverheads is in allows six and gives the top two byes. 1vs 8 and 2vs 7 are usually blowouts. Giving the top 2 teams byes would have 3 vs 6 and 4vs 5 which would be much more entertaining and competitive games. I just feel like 8 teams water down the playoffs and don't mean as much for making them.

Union Fan you are really dedicated and do an excellent job keeping everyone in the know on playoff races!

I remember the days of 9-1 and 8-2 football teams playing ten games and sitting at the house come playoff time. I always thought that was somewhat unfair. Now almost everyone and their brother makes the playoffs with eight teams from each region qualifying. Teams almost have to try to not make the playoffs now. Eight seems like too many teams get in. Four teams would make the playoffs more meaningful and competitive. No automatic bids for winning your dictrict (yes a team would still be district champs and the pride that goes with it). Just simply take the top four teams on the points rating scale and start the playoffs. Now a quick question to those who keep track of the past. Which teams in 1A and 2A have the longest playoff droughts in SWVA? I'm guessing everyone has made the playoffs in the past ten years.

Mark Dixon would be an excellent hire for any school. Knows line play inside out. Great with the kids and he is an awesome person.

I agree 100%. Coach Colley was ahead of the game in so many ways, an offensive mastermind. Also, a very nice man who would help you any way he could and then beat your team. He would have made Ridgeview special.

looking more like 1A Honaker vs 2A Grayson County for the right to play for the 1A championship in Salem.