Huntercav

@sixcat: Yep, it is a MESS for sure and you didn't even mention that we have a brand new School Superintendant! I was the Director of Social Services (that should devalue any past or future posts of mine for sure) for a short time until the "politics" within the community gobbled another victim. I resigned before the ax fell, but I heard it being sharpened. Best thing that ever happened to me as it turns out, but I digress! Despite its warts, it has been very good to my family. Galax is the PERFECT example of what can happen when a coach who knows the game and can communicate and teach it to kids comes to a school. Galax's enrollment and schedule didn't change much over the years, but when a program builder arrived, the school arrived! There has been a sport's and community revival in Galax and the genesis coincides with the arrival of Mr. Mark Dixon. Is it all him? No, but his influence and attitude have positively effected the entire area. The football program has been dying a slow death for years and the numbers out for it this year are pathetic under any circumstances. All the enrollment and talent in the world can't win you a single game or put a single fan in the bleachers. This thread was only made possible by the fact that Carroll has extremely weak programs in most every sport. Otherwise, their district affiliation would be a moot point. It's going to take more than a few changes or increases with coaching stipends to cure what ails them. The jury is out, but some folks are in place to effectuate positive change. The VHSL has ZERO to do with any of that.

I was shocked to see a thread about CCHS garnering 9 pages and over 80 responses. Especially when most who responded prefaced their comments by stating they could care less or didn't have a dog in the fight! I think that speaks to the entire issue of the latest VHSL attempt to redistrict and reshuffle more than simply which district CCHS finds as its most recent resting place? The topic has certainly brought out some valid points of travel and issues which directly affect academics. I guess a summary would include the following: >CCHS deserves its destination independent of future district affiliation because it consolidated 40+ years ago. >It fits the Piedmont District >It fits the River Ridge >The MED fits in location and competitiveness, but not in enrollment (which speaks more to Carroll's lack of solid programs in most every sport than any other factor discussed to date on this thread) >It dodges playing anybody in anything >That one can insert their profession to substantiate an opinion on the topography of SWVA and how it correlates to travel when Ray Charles could see its a valid issue >If you disagree with another board member's opinion you may get some smartass or smarta$$ childish reactions >No matter your opinion on the topic, some fellow board member has a counterpoint just a "send" function away which is more visceral and emotional than practical I find it interesting that this spirited debate didn't touch on the fact that NOBODY wants Franklin County in their district and NOBODY wants to play them-period. It all got placed at the feet of Pulaski and Carroll Counties which is oversimplification at its finest. I find it equally interesting that nobody considered the financial consequences at the ticket booths as part of their position on the issue? CCHS just had a home game with Galax, albeit a "Benefit Game" and the gate was outstanding for both schools. Little Single A Galax beat the mighty Cavs 49-27. Talk about taking a ball to the face in dodge ball! The following week, CCHS took on Piedmont member Bassett and the gate was WAY down. BTW, Bassett handed it to CCHS 40-12. So, it seems the Athletic Department has been faced with two choices: Water down the competition so you can draw local interest to more competitive games or improve attendance with the product on the field or court independent of the competition. Hmmmm. I think we all know they went with door #1. Now, I am not from Carroll County; I am not a historian on the VHSL, the SW District, or the old New River District; I am not a lawyer; I am not an engineer; I didn't stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night, BUT I'll throw a little caution to the wind by stating that: I have lived in Hillsville for 25 years, raised two children who graduated from CCHS (my son participated in 3 sports until a knee injury his senior year ended his high school playing days), have a wife who graduated from CCHS, and have countless friends and family members associated with the school. Carroll County has major highways dissecting it (Rt 52, RT 58, and I-77), but finds itself isolated from many foes on various schedules. The same does indeed hold true for most every other school in the area. Most any school finding Carroll in its District would not be pleased with the travel, but would find an even trade with the very good possibility of a road W. I think the bottom line in this entire mess is FINANCIAL and it's not tied as much to travel as the school tries to opine. Until CCHS builds strong better sport's programs they will be at a "competitive disadvantage" with most every school this side of Bland. That initiative has to come from grassroots efforts in each sport and must start before kids get to the high school level. The school and the community must work collaboratively to make these improvements. Until they do, I don't see much changing independent of which district they make their crash landing. A few are better than others, but none are optimal for different reasons. The VHSL has spoken and I don't think we need a prophet to figure out that they are most likely not going to grant CCHS a reprieve with their appeal. This would force the school to at minimum explore door #2. That's a long overdue choice!

Bassett 40 CCHS 6 Grayson Co 28 A-North Carolina 7

Floyd 33 Grayson County 20

28-13 Galax now leading CCHS with 7:44 left in the 3rd.

Galax leads CCHS 21 -13 at the half their "Benefit Game" Floyd leads Grayson 19-14.

Martinsville 18, CCHS 14 Final

Martinsville 8, CCHS 6, at the half

Grayson now leads 58-0 over Clintwood!

Grayson County 51 Clintwood 0 Still 2:31 left in the first half!!!

Grayson 35 C'wood 0 Just before the half

Grayson County 21 Clintwood Zippo So much for some chatter on the board about them running the ball down Grayson's throat with all their size?

C'burg 52 CCHS 13 Final

Christiansburg 49 CCHS Zippo Half> Christiansburg took a knee with 36 seconds from the Carroll 17 yard line following another fumbled kickoff! Any word on Galax?

Bassett 14 CCHS 7 Final

CCHS 7 Bassett 7 (1:10 left in the 3rd) Glenvar 7 Galax 0

Anybody got a Galax/Glenvar score? Bassett 7 CCHS 0 (6:30 left in the 3rd-Bengals just had a second FGA of the game blocked) Grayson 42 Alleghany, NC 0 (Nearing the Half)

Bassett 7 CCHS 0 (Half) Grayson 14 Alleghany 0 (Nearing end of first quarter)

Bassett 7 CCHS 0, 2:30 left in the first half (game started at 7:00). Grayson 7 Alleghany County, NC 0

Yes, I am with you on not being overly critical of high school players in any discussions, let alone a message board. I am also not much for trying to make projections on future potential as there are far too many variables in play. Most are doing exactly what they were coached to do and are either at the advantage or disadvantage of playing with talent (or lack thereof) around them and within a particular scheme (which can either help or hinder their progression). I agree the QB position looks bright (variables aside) and it doesn't hurt to have his father, a former QB at Galax no less, on the coaching Staff at Carroll.

Welcome sixcat and I would say that your summary of the game was spot on. There is no question that Galax is well coached (despite some sloppy exchanges which are not uncommon at all given that it's a new starter and they snapped a ton of stuff of the shotgun over the last couple of years) and has very talented "skill" players. They did "put it" to Giles last week 28-0 (or four scores to NONE). They certainly could have beaten Carroll worse-no question. This is not exactly coming out of the blue, given their success last season and excellent play-off showing. Best of luck to the Maroon Tide throughout the 2011 season. As for CCHS, the situation with this year's team isn't out of the blue either. The lost VERY good leadership among their seniors and the leadership factor within teams is often overlooked at the high school level when counting returning starters. We have a 10th grader at QB who made his first start and held up well considering everything that is thrown at a new starter. The early schedule is BRUTAL to break in new players/starters with a game at Bassett and home games with Mt. Airy and Christiansburg. That could quickly lead to being in a deep hole that early in the season. As for being slow, I'm not necessarily arguing against that statement as much as I would suggest that the defensive scheme and philosophy are putting kids in difficult situations. Sixcat mentioned that linemen were pushed around all over the field and he's right. When any team starts undersized linemen at this level, that can happen against quality competition. The theory of using quick, speedy guys, independent of size or football talent, can make for some disappointing outcomes. Then again, it's not like they can poop players, recruit, or sign free agents; they are who they are. We will see what kind of leadership these guys have, as losing often puts that feature of character front and center! My money says they will play hard (always have), but wins will be hard to find on this year's schedule.

I remember when water was withheld and viewed as weak. I really can't believe that coaches followed that stupid, and life threatening "logic." This on top of those God awful "salt pills." It's a wonder any of us survived the 70's!

Now come on Bigrhsfan, you know that you and I are good no matter your opinion of CCHS! Funny you mention the lighting, as new stadium lights were installed last month and are a MAJOR improvement. The old staduim lighting was horrible! Ditto for visitor bleachers, as new metal bleachers have also been installed. I expected some "stuff" from Lance and he didn't disappoint! At least CCHS didn't show up until the second page and I wouldn't give anybody grief over their opinion. It's all good and it was nice to see some clarification on the tired "stuff" about refs. It will never be put to bed, but the redneck comment is WAY out of line. Again, I invite you to Carroll County anytime to see a side of it that doesn't match your experiences at a ballgame. The book may be judged by the cover; just don't use a football stadium as the cover. Most all Carroll fans are on the Carroll side, so perhaps the misfits were from my hometown in West Virginia. How's that for a nice negative profile? As for my opinion, I still have PTSD concerning Mitchell Stadium from the beatings Bluefield gave me back in the day when I suited up for Greenbrier East! Ditto for the beatdowns Graham gave CCHS over there. However, it is a wonderful old venue that looks better than it did back in the 70's and early 80's. Princeton has an awesome stadium, as does George Wythe, Richlands, and Radford. I tought Floyd County and Rural Retreat were a little rough.

Allow to me to say, without identifying anybody, that there are members of the Grundy Staff on this very forum. When Hunter got hurt last year (player at CCHS with D-1 looks), I received several PM's and e-mails from those guys. They offered to help in any way possible, to the extent of contacting schools on our behalf. CLASS does not define these guys adequately. I will always value their support they extended us in a time of need. Doing that for a kid in Carroll County was beyond sportsmanship and I just know in my heart what they did for their players or other area kids. Those are the kind of relationships that transcend the game. I hope they stay in coaching or teaching because this is a HUGE loss to the school, community, the profession, and football in general!

James, The CCHS schedule is tough and especially by our standards. Just 10-15 years ago, there were way too many Single-A teams on the schedule including Fort Chiswell (who has really turned their program around over the past couple of years!), Galax when it counted, Grayson, and Floyd County (who is always well coached and a tough out for most anybody). Good to see the only Single-A game is Grayson, not withstanding the "benefit" game with Galax (who is also coming off a playoff appearance and is MUCH improved). The games with Martinsville and Mt. Airy, which replace Graham and Grundy, are great for the area and more in line with "rivalry" type games both sets of schools can benefit from playing. They are certainly much better travel games than we've seen in the past (as you well know from some of those bus rides into the wild west). I would still love to see CCHS in the district with Patrick, Martinsville, Bassett, et.al or Christiansburg, Blacksburg, Pulaski, etc. No knock on the SW District at all, but CCHS has never been a good fit in terms of travel or generating fan interest with many of the opponents. Here's to hoping for a productive and injury free season for all our MessageBoard teams!