barondawg77

The worst part of all this transfer business that has been going on in Tazewell county for several years now is the parenting...Yes, I agree the coaching in both places has been in shambles for quite some time. I agree with barondawg77 that Coach Allen has invested a lot into the program to get it back on track, and has done an admirable job. Richlands has had consistency in their coaching, and that has made a difference on the field. The travesty that exists is when the parents of these kids that transfer allow it to happen, and in some cases, even promote it happening! What are they teaching their children and their siblings? That when you don't get things you want, or things don't go your way, pack up and leave your family, teammates, friends behind and go try something else? Especially when it involves kids going into their senior years. Take the 3 years you have just spent and throw it all away? Many parents claim that the reason they move down the road is for the opportunities it provides their children to go to college. How many of those kids that have transferred down the road have went on to play scholarship football at the next level? How many of those guys are in the pros now? 
 
10, 20, 30 years from now will it matter how many games you won? Will it matter if you started on your varsity football team? Will it matter that you turned your back on your childhood friends, coaches, and sometimes your family? Which class reunion will you attend? The one where you only spent one year and barely know anyone, or the one where you grew up playing in the backyard with all you friends pretending you would be a Bulldog or a G-man one day? You know, those same "friends" you turned you back on when things didn't go exactly like they were planned to do? The one your siblings, your cousins, your mom and dad, even your grandmother and grandfather went to?
 
Sorry for the rant...Just something that needed to be said...

I wasn't calling Allen a joke I was talking about anybody that is involved in the all the coaching decisions. Hiring, firing ect. They either hire bums or push the good ones out.

Tazewell needs more participation from kids period. No kids are interested anymore. Nobody cares if the kids stay home or try out for a sport. ..even parents. Wish tazewell the best but unless the participation picks up from the kids AND the coaches nothing will change.

I cannot blame any family for chasing the limitless variety of diverse business opportunities that exist in the Cedar Bluff, Pounding Mill, Richlands, Raven, Bandy, and Jewell Ridge zip codes of Tazewell County.  I further cannot blame people who wish to contribute to the population explosion occurring in that fertile crescent.

Coach Allen has done a great job at Tazewell. Calling him a joke after trying to turn the program that was in shambles is harsh. He turned down a huge opportunity at George Wythe before last season because he is invested in these kids. I have witnessed it first hand.He cares more about the kids at THS than anyone knows. Countless hours of preperation, training, counseling, and parenting in some cases. He may or may not leave now, but who could blame him? When you spend that much time and effort on kids, and in return they choose to look out for themselves, what incentive would he have to stay?
 
Looking back over the past few years, Graham and Tazewell have both struggled. But one common factor in these struggles are that everytime either school looks to be on the rise, They somehow lose a player to Richlands. Tazewell in 2008 made the Region Championship game, within 2 years They lost a potential running back, and their starting back to Richlands(Parnell and Lockhart).
 
How many has Graham lost? Bunker, Farris, the QB Baker that got hurt twice. Those are big hits to a small enrollment school.
 
Now Tazewell has lost 2 more, kicker is already enrolled at RHS and now the RB, who will be one of the best in the area if he stays healthy. Take him away from a team that is trying to build and put him on the rival that already is good, and that just makes Tazewell and Graham look even worse.

I know the list is long, but does anybody have the tree on Merrill Gainer? Off the top of my head would be Carlock, Hicks, Rider, and thats just a few. I would love to see that list!

I hope to see before I die, the time come that we Graham fans get off the back of the people that coach our teams, say nothing when good can't be said, and provide examples that instill respect for the staffs. When that happens, we will accomplish much more than out scoring opponents, and isn't that the goal of athletics at this level?

Are you really trying to say that a kicker should have gotten the award over the 2A All State Player of the Year? There is NO ONE that deserves that award more than Herron. Wagner was great, but he had twice the touched, and played a weak schedule. Herron played as tough a schedule as you'll see in this area, and he still produced 18 yards every time he touched the ball.
 
No one deserves that award more than Herron. Period. Quit taking away from what the kid did.

tourney wasn't run on a computer so no bout results were available.  Team scores weren't kept. All placers advance to Danville.
  In the finals, Grundy went 5-3, Graham 2-3, Richlands & Central 2-1, Lebanon & Lee 1-3, Union 1-0.        1st place   106 : Andy Webb (Gru) Jayden Gamber (Ric),  113 : Mark Deahl (Uni) def. Wes Becher (Gru), med. def.   120 : Cody Puckett (Gru) Kacey Burgan (Lee),  126 : Maverick Coleman (Gru) Kody Burgan (Lee),  132 : Trevor Shupe (Cen) Tucker Matney (Leb),  138 : Jacob McNutt (Gru) Peyton Watson (Leb),  145 : JC Potts (Leb) Jacob McCoy (Gru),  152 : Tristen Evans (Gra) Jarrett Jessee (Cen),  160 : Elliott Pedigo (Gru) Austin Cox (Leb),  170 : Caleb Lankford (Ric) Kyshon Lee (Gra),  182 : Zeke Vance (Ric) Alex Hicks (Gra),  195 : Dylan Cook (Gra) Tyler Scarberry (Gru),  220 : Alex Hayley (Lee) Adrian Gray (Gra),  285 : Garrett Shortt (Cen) def. Chase Cluesman (Lee),         3rd place   106 : Curtlin Taylor (Gra) def. Michael Snader (Uni),  113 : Grayson Mullins (Cen) def. Dalton Jessee (Va),  120 : Roger Miller (Va) def. Jaron Smith (Leb),  126 : Austin Wright (JSB) def. Heath Funk (Uni),  132 : Scott Everding (Ric) def. Brandon Combs (Va),  138 : Derrick Young (Taz) def. Tyler Schuler (Lee),  145 : Ben Humphrey (Ric) def. Koty Corvin (Va),  152 : Christian Estes (JSB) def. Jimmy Street-Raines (Gru),  160 : Chris Solis (Taz) def. Luigi Colot (Uni),  170 : Nathan Aistrop (Lee) def. Dylan Carrier (JSB),  182 : Shawn Smith (Lee) def. Adam Lauman (Va),  195 : Chris Haywood (Ric) def. Juan Rodriguez (Va),  220 : Andrew Hicks (Ric) def. Nick Raines (Gru),  285 : Jacob Lester (Gra) def. Chris Stine (Va),          5th place   113 : Shawn Collins (JSB) def. Jacob Brooks (Gra),  120 : Noah Schrayer (JSB) def. Chandler Asbury (Gra),  126 : Dustin Casey (Ric) def. Alex Adkins (Va),  132 : Logan Dye (Lee) def. Jon Fields (Gru) 138 : Daniel Parsons (Uni) def. Matthew Dean (Va),  145 : Trevor Witicker (JSB) def. TK Ruble (Taz),  152 : Will Rowan (Uni) def. Brandon Lankford (Ric),  160 : Chris Hobbs (JSB) def. Dillan Elswick (Ric),   170 : Tristan Bonds (Gru),  182 : Anthony Bandy (Gru),  220 : Mark Frank (Va) def. Charles Chapman (JSB),  285 : Cody Barnes (Rich) def. Garrett Burk (JSB),        7th place   120 : Logan Hamilton (Uni),  126 : Skyler Large (Cen) def. Tyler French (Gra),  132 : Logan Wright (JSB) def. Jaden Davidson (Uni),  138 : Riley Rambo (JSB) def. Chris Ward (Ric),  145 : Austin Holbrook (Gra) def. Tanner Kennedy (Uni),  152 : Tony McCracken (Va) def. Joe Bevins (Taz) 285 : Robert Beavers (Taz) def. Dominick Hall (Leb)       9th place   138 : Austin Byrd (Gra) def. Olivia Fast (Cen) 145 : Andrew Hamilton (Cent) 285 : Zach Barnett ()

FYI 2a west region is Thursday Friday. 12-13th

Sat. 2/7 : 2A West western sub-Sectional Regional @ Grundy's Riverview E/MS
Grundy, Richlands, Tazewell, Central; Battle, Lebanon, Lee, Union, Va. High, and Graham moves over from the eastern sub... top 8 go to Danville
 
2A West eastern sub @ Chatham HS
Marion, Grayson County, Floyd County, Glenvar, Martinsville, James River, Appomattox, Chatham, Dan River, Ran-Henry
 
 
 
 F-S 2/13-14:
Th-Fri, 2/12-13 : 2A West Regionals @ Danville's Averett U.
top 4 go to state 
 
F-S, 2/13-14 : 1A West @ Rural Retreat
 
 
 
F-S 2/20-21 1A/2A/3A/4A state tourneys @ Salem C.C.
 
Fri. -  TIME/FORMAT CHANGE from last year !!!
2:00 Weigh-ins
Ses. 1 : 4:00 - quarters, 8:00 - consi's 1
 
Sat. - Ses. 2 : 9:30 - Semis, 11:30 - consis, 1:30 pm - 5th & 3rd place matches (NO 7th/8th) 
 
Ses. 3 : 5:00 - walk, finals
 
$10 per session, $25 for both days; medals "only" for the top 6 

That's a fair criticism.  But after Edgerrin James left, indy never gave him much of a running game.  His defense was always porous.  His playoff record is subpar, but many of those teams he willed there without much in the way of a supporting cast
 
I think if you replace Manning with Brady, I think Manning has 6-8 titles.  Firmly believe that.

How can anyone have a Top 5 NFL QB list without Brett Favre???  Not possible, Gentlemen...

I would like to extend my most sincere apology to you.  After re-reading your posts in this thread, I realized just what an accomplished, intelligent and articulate person you are.  I mean you are the "most liberal" person here.  (Was that supposed to be a positive?)  I guess that you are now the go to guy for all things sport-wise since you have more sport knowledge than all who abound on this board.  And your posts are so clear, concise and intellectually honest that I nominate you for the position of Dean of Students of the SWVA board!
 
Too bad that you had to lower yourself to posting on this board...which is obviously a mere shadow of the mighty LPD board.  Tells us again why that board failed?  I am a bit puzzled why it would have faltered given you were the super poster over there.  Hopefully, the multitude of your admirers will follow you here to get their daily dose of wisdom.  Only speaking for myself here but I have certainly "learned" so much from you! Thank you for that gift! 
 
And just imagine the heights your school would have reached on the athletic fields had you actually participated in sports!  Had you played, your school may have been able to compete with Gate City!  Just imagine that BW.  But now that I understand you a little better, I see that you did not participate because of the unfair advantage your contributions would have created.  That was very magnanimous of you!   
 
And you guys thought I was a pain in the behind.  This gomer actually takes himself seriously. 

This feels like an appropriate place to express my rapturous glee over Dallas getting thwacked by the karmic boomerang.

Good form.

Didn't they try that already?

A video created and put up by a guy from Essex
 
 
 
Classy

Here are three proud and tradition rich "boys of fall" teams still battling for that state crown!!! What a blessed area we are to have three SWVA teams still in the hunt for the championship.
 
The Haysi Tigers, a small community with a big heart and rabid fan base for their Red Tigers.  This is a team who has one of the best coaching staffs "bar none," that can bring home a win Saturday against Essex.  Can they do it--I believe so!!
 
The Honaker Tigers, another small community with a big heart and rabid fan base for their Orange Tigers.  Coach Hubbard has had some lean years in his tenure, but with a coaching staff who committed with him to make this one of the premier programs in SWVA, great job.  The Orange Tigers have the tools, coaching and players to get the home win against Altavista.  Can they do it--I believe so!!! No defeat on your field-Tigers
 
The Richlands Blue Tornado, another small community with a big heart and rabid fan base for their Big Blue.  Coach Mance and staff will have the team ready!!!  If you doubt this--just stay home!!!  When this season started 0-2, the naysayers were already talking of the Blues demise--but these coaches, these boys and the fans who believed in them knew,  "the cream would rise to the top".  My Blues can,  and I believe will come back to SWVA with a "W" next to the lighting R.  Fear makes you see what is against you, faith makes you see what is for you.  Fans be LOUD, be PROUD and CHEER from the warmups to the final second on the clock.
 
The common denominator in all three of these programs are long-coaching tenures, a staff with a commitment to their community, the kids that come through their programs and the withal to give their all.
 
HATS OFF TO COACHES COLLEY, HUBBARD, MANCE AND STAFF!!!

Some people never know when to shut the hell up...

While we're at it, how 'bout Mizzou knocking off Bammer...

I understand what you are saying. I don't drink very much at all anymore. I don't want my kids around that stuff. I don't have to be a part of it growing up, so I learned from it. Some advice for you Ryan if your are ever fortunate enough to have children: teach them early and often what the price is for making mistakes. That way when they get older, they understand before they make a big mistake like that. Also, always explain why you do what you do when you punish or consequence your children. Let them know how much you love them, even when they don't think you do lol. Good luck!

I have absolutely no idea what it's like to be drunk. So I don't know what would happen. I value the fact that I've never drank, so I'm the wrong person to talk to about that. I'm just saying that I've seen my best friends do things they would never ever ever do when they are drunk. And we know that Rice and his fiancé were both pretty lit. 
 
As for my (hopefully one day) daughter and sons, I want them to know never to hit anyone. But, at the same time, I would want them to learn from it if they did and realize that you pay the price and move on with life. 
 
That's just my stance on everything. We all have different ones. Lol.

U are special that's for sure!! Keep goin .. my week is flyin by so far and Saturdays football game will get here faster at this pace!! Hows basketball practice goin?

I think it was 35-14 or so...can't remember all the details at this point. Grundy clearly had the better team that year...not always the case, but it was that year. Grundy had the rare ability to score on D with that team and even in that game Colby Owes snatched the ball away from Tazewell's QB and scored a TD...that was a very rare team for Grundy...probably the best since the '96 team. It's a shame that things played out the way they did, maybe they go to Gretna and get creamed by 50 and maybe Colby Owens blindsides Vic Hall on the first play of the game and puts him on the bench...again, the refs in that Va High game denied that from happening...so all that is left is "what if?"...what we do know is Grundy beat Tazewell 35-14 and Tazewell lost to Gretna 55-28.
 
Grundy had Garon Marcum playing DB that year and he had enough speed to cover it....he had a 96 yard INT for a TD against Graham in the 02 playoffs as a 9th grader...and he was running a legit 4.5 time in the 40 that year as an 11th grader.
 
What's all that mean? What's it count for? Nothing.
 
But, would have liked to have had a shot at Gretna that year just to see.