Jason

Richlands has a great team this year but would be hard to say they are the best SWVA ever saw. Gate City, and Powell Valley are two that have teams the caliber as this years Richlands team. There is no way to say who was the best. All I can say is SWVA has been blessed with some great teams over the years.

Thats one reason Grundy is dropping to Single A next year.

Found out last night it is just rumor. But to answer the concession part each team gets the money from it. The Lions club would get to run it and still watch the game had this been true.

Region D Division 1 hosts this year and Region C hosts in D2.

Legion Field has been a huge Home Field Advantage to GC in the playoffs too but they have been forced to play at Wise the past two years with the so called #1 seed. With that being said if this is true Richlands could be the next #1 seed to be forced to play at Wise.

I have heard rumor than not only will the Region D Division 1 and 2 games be there but the Region IV D3 game will be there also. Anyone heard this?

Just asked on the LPD board and the first response was they are rotated. I am loosing my memory something bad the past year or so.:confused:

Just wonder how the people at Richlands would like this if it is true. It would probably be the night cap game if it is true.

They have yet to rotate them. Last three years the D1 game has been first.

Thats how Rivalry games are supposed to be.

I am with you on that!

I heard the Region IV D3 Title game will be played at UVA Wise as part of a triple header.

It has never been Alternated to my knowledge. D1 always plays first at 12. Then D2 is around 4.

Grundy Graham Carroll County Richlands George Wythe Rural Retreat Narrows Galax Sullivan North (TN) JI Burton Hurley St. Paul John Battle Gate City Castlewood Twin Springs Clintwood JJ Kelly Nebraska Arkansas Iowa Oklahoma St. Virginia Tech South Carolina North Carolina Wisconsin Florida Green Bay New England New York Giants Atlanta Indianapolis Game of the Week- Correct winner and total amount of points scored Graham 25

BRISTOL, Va. -- The life of a high school football coach is never dull. The weekly grind is strewn with highs, lows, hassles and brainstorming sessions. Chris Thurman knows the never-ending story. The straight-talking boss of the Virginia High Bearcats has won state championships, groomed major college prospects, dealt with fickle fans and overcome long odds. And Friday night at Gene Malcolm Stadium, Thurman and his mercurial Bearcats can stake their claim to a district championship. VHS and Gate City both have 2-0 records in the Clinch Mountain. GC (5-2) averages 29 points per game, losing only to state title contenders Richlands and Bluefield,W.Va. "I don’t think our team is intimidated by [Gate City], and it looks like some of the teams they played were," Thurman said. "Gate City is just solid. We will have to play to good to win, there’s no secret about that." Thurman had success against Gate City while coaching at Gretna High School. Relying on the same free-flowing offense he mastered at Gretna, Thurman almost guided the Bearcats to a signature win at Legion Field last season. VHS accumulated 349 total yards and led until the 4:40 mark of the fourth quarter before dropping a 28-21 decision. The Blue Devils eventually won the CMD title. "If we get a stop in the last four minutes or make a few catches at the end, we win that game," Thurman said. "We can obviously play with them." The storyline for Friday’s rematch has a familiar tone. Behind multi-talented quarterback Charlieo Bradley, VHS has shown the ability to score in bunches. The problem comes on defense. One year after giving up 26 points per game, VHS allows 34 ppg. Many teams that rely on the quick-strike spread formation experience problems stopping the opposition due to the length of the time defenders must stay on the field. Thurman realizes his defense must counter the physical approach of Gate City. On a rainy night in Gate City last year, the Blue Devils rushed for 262 yards against VHS without ever completing a pass. "[Gate City] pounded us pretty good, and I don’t think they ever came out of the T [formation]," Thurman said. "They will give us more formations Friday than we saw last year." Sophomore quarterback Nick Bowen has added balance to the GC offense, passing for 576 yards and six scores. Dusty Clark, last season’s quarterback, has moved to running back where he has rushed for 327 yards. The relentless leader for the Blue Devils is Joseph Vaughn, a 185-pound senior who has accounted for 602 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns. Thurman has spent much of the week cautioning his team against the play-action passes favored by Gate City. "They pound and pound on you, and then they throw it over your head. That’s the secret to his success," said Thurman, referring to Bowen. After losses to Honaker and Chilhowie, the Bearcats (4-3) posted an emotional 14-13 victory at CMD rival Lebanon last week. Following the blocks of senior receiver Logan Joyce and senior lineman Justin Lopez, Bradley provided the game-winning score on a three-yard run with 12 seconds left. According to VHS junior offensive tackle Reed Esposito, VHS relied on a mix of perseverance and preparation to edge the Pioneers. "That was one of best experiences I’ve ever been involved with," Esposito said. "Everyone was tired at the end, but we kept working and never gave up. As long we keep that attitude, we can accomplish anything." Ssenior lineman Josh Locklear and the 6-foot-4, 280-pound Esposito have been the leaders of the VHS line corps. Though Bradley has compiled an array of eye-popping stats, the Bearcats must open holes for the improvisational play maker to operate. "[Gate City] is going to hit us, so we just have to hit them back," Esposito said. The other key contributors for VHS include junior linebacker James Settle, senior kicker Ian Frye and freshman Justin Brown. "The Frye kid can boot the ball," Thurman said. "I think there’s he’s only had one kickoff that hasn’t gone in the end zone." Brown emerged as a savior with his consistent work at free safety last week. "We had a couple games where none of us looked very good, but we’ve been moving folks around trying to find somebody that will stick. Justin helped to save the game for us," Thurman said. After pushing through the defensive struggles, turnovers and breakdowns in three losses, Thurman likes the opportunity awaiting his team. "As poor as we’ve played at times, this game is really for the district championship," Thurman said. "If we win, we can automatically advance into the playoffs and maybe earn enough points to go in as the No. 1 seed. That’s really all you can ask for." Gate City and VHS will each finish the regular season against CMD rival Lee.

Division 2 Football in VA is a lot harder than people give it credit for. Some of those D2 teams are the same ones that were winning the Region IV D3 title every year before dropping. Gate City won Region IV 4 out the last 5 years they played D3 and won one D3 State Title in those last 5 years. Other teams that have been successful as D2 that had some success as D3 are Giles, Radford, George Wythe, that I can think of right off.

What else is there to do around here on a Friday night? I like High School because I know they are truely playing with their hearts at that level.

Thats not you. Here is your pic.

GC 8th grade won but dont know the score.

Some of the same ones that played Friday night may have played last night. I read somewhere that Battle has about 6 starters out on Varsity.

I think it is you that needs your facts straight. Bluefield is AA D3 points in VA. Just go here http://www.vhsl.org/athletics/football_boys and look under resources where is says Football Out of State Divisions. That will tell you all you need to know.

Bluefield and Gate City will be playing the next two years. GC has their schedule set for next year. Tazewell and Appalachia were replaced by Clintwood and JJ Kelly.

I have to say it is crazy Richlands and Bluefield dont play EVERY year. Both are excellent teams year after year and the travel is not bad at all between the two. Mance is crazy for wanting to schedule VA teams only with a very competitive Bluefield a lot less miles away then Patrick or Pulaski. Bluefield would count the same on points as Pulaski or Patrick. I dont think the scheduling only VA teams excuse is a good excuse at all.

Oh.

You didnt. Not what I was driving at. You said it was a shame the two best teams in the Region did not play. I was just saying you have a team on most years that is just as good already on your schedule. Why was the Richlands vs. Bluefield series canceled?