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.
It was uncool in my opinion when a 9-1 football team and an 8-2 football team didn't make the playoffs. It's equally uncool when a team that is 3-7 or 2-8 makes the playoffs in today's time. My very own Giles Spartans don't deserve the playoffs this year, but looks like we get the 8th seed ( I think, don't know for sure, have not looked at it). The sweet spot is 6. First two teams get a bye in round one, and have 3 through 6 play each other. This will eliminate Most of the undeserving teams (not all, still will not be perfect, but will eliminate most of the non deserving teams) and it still covers for the 8-2 or 7-3 teams that need to be in the playoffs. Just my opinions. Why do we allow 8 in instead of 6? Well, Bill Idol sang about it in the 80's, except he left out the "E" in the song.
2 Weeks remain with a lot on the line for several teams. Some looking to hold down their current spots, some looking to make it in. The elephant in the room is obviously Abingdon defeating Ridgeview. The Pack lost their chance to host a 2nd rd playoff game if Tazewell were to upset Graham, but that may have been a longshot anyways. However, we'll look into that possibility.
I'm going to start with the likelihood of Union getting the overall #1 seed in the West. The path has narrowed significantly, and we'll know almost certainly if it can happen after the games Friday night. Richlands needs to defeat Marion, Grayson over Galax and GW, Central over Grundy and Va High would need to lose to Lebanon or Marion.
Let's look at the most realistic scenarios and what if's. I'm currently projecting the following, based on my own predictions. I do think Battle/Lee, Richlands/Marion, RC/TS and Central/Grundy are tossups, but none of those will have an impact on the top 4.
Rank
Team
Record
Total Points
Rating
01.)
Union
9-1
275
27.5
02.)
Graham
9-1
259
25.9
03.)
Ridgeview
8-2
223
22.3
04.)
Tazewell
7-3
220
22
05.)
Gate City
6-4
203
20.3
06.)
Va High
5-5
181
18.1
07.)
Lee
4-6
169
16.9
08.)
Marion
4-6
165
16.5
09.)
John Battle
3-7
163
16.3
10.)
Lebanon
3-7
152
15.2
11.)
Central-Wise
1-9
136
13.6
12.)
Richlands
0-10
125
12.5
What if GC upsets Ridgeview?
Rank
Team
Record
Total Points
Rating
01.)
Union
9-1
275
27.5
02.)
Graham
9-1
259
25.9
03.)
Gate City
7-3
221
22.1
04.)
Tazewell
7-3
220
22
05.)
Ridgeview
7-3
206
20.6
06.)
Va High
5-5
180
18
07.)
Lee
4-6
169
16.9
08.)
Marion
4-6
166
16.6
09.)
John Battle
3-7
163
16.3
10.)
Lebanon
3-7
152
15.2
11.)
Central-Wise
1-9
136
13.6
12.)
Richlands
0-10
125
12.5
What if Tazewell upsets Graham?
Rank
Team
Record
Total Points
Rating
01.)
Union
9-1
273
27.3
02.)
Graham
8-2
241
24.1
03.)
Tazewell
8-2
239
23.9
04.)
Ridgeview
8-2
223
22.3
05.)
Gate City
6-4
203
20.3
06.)
Va High
5-5
181
18.1
07.)
Lee
4-6
169
16.9
08.)
Marion
4-6
165
16.5
09.)
John Battle
3-7
163
16.3
10.)
Lebanon
3-7
152
15.2
11.)
Central-Wise
1-9
136
13.6
12.)
Richlands
0-10
125
12.5
What if Tazewell and GC both provide upsets to Graham and Ridgeview, respectively?
Rank
Team
Record
Total Points
Rating
01.)
Union
9-1
273
27.3
02.)
Graham
8-2
241
24.1
03.)
Tazewell
8-2
239
23.9
04.)
Gate City
7-3
221
22.1
05.)
Ridgeview
7-3
206
20.6
06.)
Va High
5-5
180
18
07.)
Lee
4-6
169
16.9
08.)
Marion
4-6
166
16.6
09.)
John Battle
3-7
163
16.3
10.)
Lebanon
3-7
152
15.2
11.)
Central-Wise
1-9
136
13.6
12.)
Richlands
0-10
125
12.5
What if Union loses to Abingdon?
Rank
Team
Record
Total Points
Rating
01.)
Graham
9-1
258
25.8
02.)
Union
8-2
258
25.8
03.)
Ridgeview
8-2
223
22.3
04.)
Tazewell
7-3
220
22
05.)
Gate City
6-4
203
20.3
06.)
Va High
5-5
181
18.1
07.)
Lee
4-6
169
16.9
08.)
Marion
4-6
166
16.6
09.)
John Battle
3-7
164
16.4
10.)
Lebanon
3-7
152
15.2
11.)
Central-Wise
1-9
136
13.6
12.)
Richlands
0-10
125
12.5
If Marion wins out?
Rank
Team
Record
Total Points
Rating
01.)
Union
9-1
275
27.5
02.)
Graham
9-1
259
25.9
03.)
Ridgeview
8-2
221
22.1
04.)
Tazewell
7-3
220
22
05.)
Gate City
6-4
205
20.5
06.)
Marion
5-5
180
18
07.)
Lee
4-6
169
16.9
08.)
Va High
4-6
166
16.6
09.)
John Battle
3-7
162
16.2
10.)
Lebanon
3-7
152
15.2
11.)
Central-Wise
1-9
137
13.7
12.)
Richlands
0-10
125
12.5
If Richlands defeats Marion?
Rank
Team
Record
Total Points
Rating
01.)
Union
9-1
277
27.7
02.)
Graham
9-1
259
25.9
03.)
Ridgeview
8-2
225
22.5
04.)
Tazewell
7-3
220
22
05.)
Gate City
6-4
203
20.3
06.)
Va High
5-5
181
18.1
07.)
Lee
4-6
169
16.9
08.)
John Battle
3-7
163
16.3
09.)
Marion
3-7
154
15.4
10.)
Lebanon
3-7
153
15.3
11.)
Richlands
1-9
139
13.9
12.)
Central-Wise
1-9
135
13.5
2C doesn't really need projections. They are pretty well settled, and there isn't much interest in 5-8 as none of them pose any real threat to the top 4.
Rank
Team
Record
Total Points
Rating
01.)
Radford
10-0
282
28.2
02.)
Gretna
8-2
245
24.5
03.)
Glenvar
8-2
229
22.9
04.)
Appomattox
5-5
215
21.5
05.)
Chatham
6-4
187
18.7
06.)
Floyd Co
3-7
177
17.7
07.)
James River
4-6
175
17.5
08.)
Patrick Co
4-6
171
17.1
09.)
Dan River
3-7
158
15.8
10.)
Nelson Co
4-6
152
15.2
11.)
Liberty (Bed)
0-10
148
14.8
12.)
Martinsville
0-10
127
12.7
For 1D, it's Honaker and several other teams fighting for that top 4. Most likely...
Rank
Team
Record
Total Points
Rating
01.)
Honaker
10-0
260
26
02.)
Rye Cove
9-1
222
22.2
03.)
Pat Henry-GS
7-3
195
19.5
04.)
Twin Springs
8-2
194
19.4
05.)
Rural Retreat
6-4
191
19.1
06.)
Grundy
5-5
183
18.3
07.)
Eastside
6-4
174
17.4
08.)
Holston
5-5
174
17.4
09.)
Chilhowie
4-6
159
15.9
10.)
Hurley
5-5
157
15.7
11.)
Thomas Walker
5-5
150
15
12.)
JI Burton
1-9
115
11.5
13.)
Northwood
1-9
109
10.9
14.)
Castlewood
1-9
107
10.7
15.)
Twin Valley
2-8
102
10.2
If TS defeats RC.
Rank
Team
Record
Total Points
Rating
01.)
Honaker
10-0
258
25.8
02.)
Twin Springs
9-1
213
21.3
03.)
Rye Cove
8-2
203
20.3
04.)
Pat Henry-GS
7-3
195
19.5
05.)
Rural Retreat
6-4
191
19.1
06.)
Grundy
5-5
183
18.3
07.)
Eastside
6-4
174
17.4
08.)
Holston
5-5
174
17.4
09.)
Chilhowie
4-6
158
15.8
10.)
Hurley
5-5
157
15.7
11.)
Thomas Walker
5-5
150
15
12.)
JI Burton
1-9
115
11.5
13.)
Northwood
1-9
109
10.9
14.)
Castlewood
1-9
107
10.7
15.)
Twin Valley
2-8
102
10.2
Chilhowie defeats Holston.
Rank
Team
Record
Total Points
Rating
01.)
Honaker
10-0
260
26
02.)
Rye Cove
9-1
224
22.4
03.)
Pat Henry-GS
7-3
195
19.5
04.)
Twin Springs
8-2
194
19.4
05.)
Rural Retreat
6-4
191
19.1
06.)
Grundy
5-5
183
18.3
07.)
Eastside
6-4
175
17.5
08.)
Chilhowie
5-5
174
17.4
09.)
Holston
4-6
159
15.9
10.)
Hurley
5-5
156
15.6
11.)
Thomas Walker
5-5
150
15
12.)
JI Burton
1-9
116
11.6
13.)
Northwood
1-9
109
10.9
14.)
Castlewood
1-9
107
10.7
15.)
Twin Valley
2-8
102
10.2
Chilhowie defeats Holston and PH.
Rank
Team
Record
Total Points
Rating
01.)
Honaker
10-0
260
26
02.)
Rye Cove
9-1
226
22.6
03.)
Twin Springs
8-2
194
19.4
04.)
Chilhowie
6-4
191
19.1
05.)
Rural Retreat
6-4
191
19.1
06.)
Grundy
5-5
181
18.1
07.)
Pat Henry-GS
6-4
179
17.9
08.)
Eastside
6-4
176
17.6
09.)
Holston
4-6
159
15.9
10.)
Hurley
5-5
156
15.6
11.)
Thomas Walker
5-5
150
15
12.)
JI Burton
1-9
116
11.6
13.)
Northwood
1-9
109
10.9
14.)
Castlewood
1-9
107
10.7
15.)
Twin Valley
2-8
102
10.2
For 1C, these are my projections. There is a make up game planned for Montcalm/Craig Co tomorrow, but it shouldn't impact this.
Rank
Team
Record
Total Points
Rating
01.)
Grayson Co
10-0
250
25
02.)
Narrows
8-2
221
22.1
03.)
Bath Co
9-1
204
20.4
04.)
Galax
6-4
195
19.5
05.)
George Wythe
6-4
191
19.1
06.)
Parry McCluer
6-4
173
17.3
07.)
Fort Chiswell
5-5
171
17.1
08.)
Giles
2-8
141
14.1
09.)
East Mont
3-7
127
12.7
10.)
Auburn
2-8
126
12.6
11.)
Craig Co
2-7
103
11.44444
12.)
Bland Co
1-6
57
8.142857
If Bath Co finishes undefeated.
Rank
Team
Record
Total Points
Rating
01.)
Grayson Co
10-0
250
25
02.)
Bath Co
10-0
222
22.2
03.)
Narrows
7-3
201
20.1
04.)
Galax
6-4
195
19.5
05.)
George Wythe
6-4
191
19.1
06.)
Parry McCluer
6-4
173
17.3
07.)
Fort Chiswell
5-5
171
17.1
08.)
Giles
2-8
140
14
09.)
East Mont
3-7
127
12.7
10.)
Auburn
2-8
126
12.6
11.)
Craig Co
2-7
103
11.44444
12.)
Bland Co
1-6
57
8.142857
If GW upsets Grayson
Rank
Team
Record
Total Points
Rating
01.)
Grayson Co
9-1
233
23.3
02.)
Narrows
8-2
221
22.1
03.)
George Wythe
7-3
211
21.1
04.)
Bath Co
9-1
204
20.4
05.)
Galax
6-4
196
19.6
06.)
Parry McCluer
6-4
173
17.3
07.)
Fort Chiswell
5-5
171
17.1
08.)
Giles
2-8
141
14.1
09.)
East Mont
3-7
127
12.7
10.)
Auburn
2-8
126
12.6
11.)
Craig Co
2-7
103
11.44444
12.)
Bland Co
1-6
57
8.142857
If Galax upsets Grayson
Rank
Team
Record
Total Points
Rating
01.)
Grayson Co
9-1
233
23.3
02.)
Narrows
8-2
221
22.1
03.)
Galax
7-3
215
21.5
04.)
Bath Co
9-1
204
20.4
05.)
George Wythe
6-4
191
19.1
06.)
Parry McCluer
6-4
173
17.3
07.)
Fort Chiswell
5-5
171
17.1
08.)
Giles
2-8
141
14.1
09.)
East Mont
3-7
127
12.7
10.)
Auburn
2-8
126
12.6
11.)
Craig Co
2-7
103
11.44444
12.)
Bland Co
1-6
57
8.142857
If Grayson loses to both GW and Galax.
Rank
Team
Record
Total Points
Rating
01.)
Narrows
8-2
221
22.1
02.)
Grayson Co
8-2
216
21.6
03.)
Galax
7-3
215
21.5
04.)
George Wythe
7-3
210
21
05.)
Bath Co
9-1
204
20.4
06.)
Parry McCluer
6-4
173
17.3
07.)
Fort Chiswell
5-5
171
17.1
08.)
Giles
2-8
141
14.1
09.)
East Mont
3-7
127
12.7
10.)
Auburn
2-8
126
12.6
11.)
Craig Co
2-7
103
11.44444
12.)
Bland Co
1-6
57
8.142857
If you have any projections you want me to run, please let me know.
Cowboy fans are opposite of the Brian Bosworth Dr. Pepper commercial. In the Dr. Pepper commercial, the fans turn on the team and the entire season after only the first play of the very first game, lol. It's the opposite for the Cowboys. Cowboys can come out in game one and get the ball first and the opening play, have a 12 yard gainer and you can bet many of people are already yapping, "were gonna win the damn SuperBowl this year boys."
There is a good coach nearby if Ginn does decide to get out at Marion. Former PH coach Mark Palmer is teaching in the same county at Northwood. He would be a good candidate if the job comes open. I'm pretty sure he wants to be a head coach again. Not saying Ginn will leave but if he does then there's your man.
OK, a lot to take in there. So my question is, where do you begin to turn the situation around? You can't bring in 50 different players each year You can't bring in 100 new parents each year. My theory, based on the handfull of players I've known and talked to over the past few years is, the head coach is not very well liked or respected by the players. He doesn't seem to inspire kids to come out for football, or keep the one's participating in middle school or jv to continue their football careers. Participation numbers have been declining for years, and not wholly a factor of declining enrollment. Other area schools of near equal enrollments as Giles are not seeing these low turnout numbers for football, just check across the river. I'm going to throw this out as an example, Chilhowie. I know very little about that program. But I did catch one of their games this year. I believe they went 0-10 last year. They had over 50 kids dressed for their varsity team. What has happened there. They brought in a new Coach. I didn't look up enrollment numbers, but I'd say Giles and Chilhowie are fairly close. If you're satisfied to just let things go and hope they turn around someday, that's on you. Good luck with that. I got a patch in my yard that grass has quit growing. I can wait a couple more years and see if the grass magically starts growing again, or I can make a change and try something different to see if I can get that patch pretty again.
I know Vaught was brought up earlier. Had that guy stayed out of his own way, he could have won multiple titles at Richlands. He was building something special when the town and school had the resources to help him.
My father and Don were close. Don is well known not just in Tazewell and Tazewell County, but was well know in VT circles. He once served on the VT Board of Visitors and the man paid several kids tuition out of his own pocket to attend VT. He was huge in development for Tazewell, VA, and he was instrumental in getting the VT School of Pharmacy started. Don was a class act. A former marine. He will be missed by many and did some solid work on this earth and left his mark, and he came from blue collar and humble beginnings. RIP old Bulldog, Don Dunford.
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