tjhokies

I've now seen the video. It's such a soft call. After the kid gets up he and Howie bump into each other and the ref ACROSS THE FIELD throws the flag. Not either of the two refs standing DIRECTLY BESIDE THE PLAY. If a soft chest bump constitutes an unsportsmanlike, then it's time to quit calling this football and call it two hand touch. I've seen much more happen and not get called than this. 
 
The principal denied the appeal because he said he was standing beside the play when it happens. There is a picture that shows the moment the flag was thrown and there is no principal down there. Just a bunch of Richlands fans on the fence. 
 
That said, what's done is done. 
 
Howie will not play. He made his bed, he will lay in it. But DO NOT get on here and put down a 17 year old kid for getting caught up in the heat of the moment and doing something I know for a fact he deeply regrets. I know that every single member of this board did something stupid in their lives at one time or another. That doesn't mean the kid should sit at home. 
 
He is a brother to this team. He helped this team get to where they are, period. He will be on the sideline with his jersey on, supporting his brothers in their mission to bring a title back to SWVA. If you don't like it, I'm sorry. But he will be there with his team because this is a team. 

Stuart's Draft denied it. For a successful appeal, both coaches and principals have to agree and then it's sent to the VHSL. If both principals agree, it's generally overturned. Someone has sour grapes. Oh well. We will put a gameplan in place and go play the game in front of us. I have faith in our coaches and kids.

Big loss for them, he done it to his team and himself

I know this is the dedicated football thread, but we're a family here and I'd like to be the first to congratulate Ryan4VT on his engagement!

Looks like score may be 40 or less now. Rumor has it, a running back from Hurley was here at Richlands today.

Somebody made a mistake, but hopefully It's a good sign?

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!!!

Amen. Hit that bunch in the mouth all day long. I'd love to be there in person but I'll be listening from the comforts of my broken in recliner.

Go get the win. Loud and proud. State champs. Next year we are excited to open with the reigning champs. That team that beat us seemed to be on a mission and I think they will get it done. Good luck, we will be praying for safety in travels and on the field.

We are trying to organize a convoy of cars into the stadium for the game Saturday. We want to come in flags flying, horns honking, and making noise from the second we arrive to prove a point.

With that said, if you are coming to the game, meet at the WALMART parking lot off of exit 222. We are going to roll out to the field at 11:30. So be at the Walmart by 11:20 to make sure you get in on the convoy.

Our boys deserve a large crowd, and we need to show them and the WM fans that we mean business and will be loud and proud for our men.

Help us spread the word!!!

Someone on the VP site said the visitors side only seated 500 as Ryan noted...poster said for the remaining visitors to bring chairs and sit on the track.
 
They need to bring bleachers in as the town of Richlands has done when we have hosted to meet the requirements of the VHSL. How many other fans will also be there not from Wilson or Richlands to see this game...hope this issue is addressed.
(Weather permitting I plan on making the drive in for this game)
 
 
Per VHSL requirements for minimum seating at hosting sites for semi-finals in football...
 
FOOTBALL
Seating Minimums
 
 
Div. 2
2500
 
 
A. FIELD REQUIREMENTS
In order to host a VHSL State football game (semi-final or final), the school/facility must be able to provide a
properly marked, well maintained football field that meets all requirements and recommendations as
 
specified in the current NFHS Football Rules Book.
 
3. Seating
a. Permanent or portable bleacher seating to accommodate anticipated attendance (see chart)
b. Seating arranged such that fans from opposing schools may be seated on opposite sides of
the field
c. Accessible (ADA compliant)
 
Page 18 of 33
http://www.vhsl.org/doc/upload/facilities-requirements-for-championship-events1.pdf

The visitor stands at Wilson Memorial only hold 500 people. I fully expect Richlands to take at least 1000 with us. Sounds like we need to get there early just to have a seat. 

Buckshot732 - Mance plans on playing our starting Guard at QB. He also plans to take a knee on every 3rd play we run. Please pass this along to the GC coaches. Appreciate it.

I wouldn't doubt if Richlands didn't have more at GC last Saturday than Buckingham. If people can't get excited this time of year then they need their pulse checked.

Message to Richlands fans: I've been noticing a trend as of late, and that trend is that our fan base has been absent all year. I can remember driving to Hidden Valley and to Brookville and us packing the stands 2 hours before kickoffs. We always had more fans than the opposing team during the season. It's such a HUGE difference when we can go on the road and make so much noise that it throws off the home team. But this year, we haven't filled up a set of bleachers since Gate City in week 1. These boys don't have a perfect record. They lost some squeakers. They got beat convincingly. But they've grown so much. They deserve to have a rabid fan base that will follow them ANYWHERE to see them play the game. Are we really that spoiled as a fan base? Have we seen so many 10-0 teams that a 3 loss season has turned away fans?? We are ONE win away from a STATE SEMIFINAL APPEARANCE. This team is good. But so is Gate City. They need our help in any way they can get it. Remember when this team carried out the 32 jersey and promised to play this season for Cody? Well, that's still in effect. This season still means more than just a season.
 
So I'm challenging you. Load up a car with friends. Get your friends to do the same. If someone doesn't have a ride, BRING THEM if you don't have a full car. Let's pack these stands Saturday at Gate City and help our boys continue their dream. Mance shouldn't have to beg on the radio to get fans to come out. It's time to re-ignite this fan base!!! THE STORM IS COMING!!

My wishes for this game are both teams at full strenght,and no biased Zebras.May the best team win.No excuses!

Buckshot732 - Mance plans on playing our starting Guard at QB. He also plans to take a knee on every 3rd play we run. Please pass this along to the GC coaches. Appreciate it.

Buckshot732 - Mance plans on playing our starting Guard at QB. He also plans to take a knee on every 3rd play we run. Please pass this along to the GC coaches. Appreciate it.

Buckshot732 - Mance plans on playing our starting Guard at QB. He also plans to take a knee on every 3rd play we run. Please pass this along to the GC coaches. Appreciate it.

I'm new to this message board, but is the week leading up to this game the part where we share inside information to allow the teams to better prepare?
 
I'll get the ball rolling for GC: From a trusted source inside the field house, our coaches will be changing things up (They fear being too predictable during this rematch). Most of our starters will be changing positions (Herron will be at RT) and we'll be using the same offensive playbook and script that VT used against Wake yesterday. Defensively, we'll be in the Prevent exclusively, with no stunts, blitzes, or pressure, just to be safe.
 
Can any of you Blues fans close to the team share any info regarding Coach Mance's gameplan?

I hope the officials from the first game are NOWHERE to be found this go around. 2 great teams, hoping for no injuries, good weather and for the officials to be impartial and fair! 

I hope the officials from the first game are NOWHERE to be found this go around. 2 great teams, hoping for no injuries, good weather and for the officials to be impartial and fair! 

Well I have been waiting all week to see everybody else's predictions on this game and so far I have only seen two which is very unusual as far as a score goes. I think its great to see a Marion football team come from the middle of the pack for years and be one of the top three teams in 2A West. What a great job! I almost feel bad in predicting a Richlands win because I have so much respect for my friends Canes and Hurricane but if I know them as good as I think I do, they will have no problem predicting Marion in this one...lol.
 
I know it sounds old and what everybody else says but its true here. When you have two very good teams playing each other "Home Field" advantage comes into play of course but it normally comes down to the team that plays fundamentally sound with their individual assignments with blocking and tackling. Then there is the big factors of turnovers and penalties. I truly believe the team that wins those areas will win the game. I look for it to go down to the last possession of the game. I think Richlands has benefitted from being in so many tough and hard fought close games this year and has been on both sides of the outcome.
 
I personally think this could very easily be a low scoring game. I just think there are to many playmakers on both teams for that to happen. I believe both teams are very good on defense also so that's why I have struggled to predict a score. I wish both teams good luck and hope its decided on the field amongst the young men giving it all they have!!!!!
 
Richlands - 27
Marion - 24 

I guess I will have to try out Wolfes on Friday night because we are making the trip down to Marion to watch my 2nd favorite team take on Marion and may as well grab a bite to eat before the game.....this should be a good game.....and I invite all marion and richlands fans to pearisburg on Saturday to watch us take on a tough Lee High team

Unless it was a loaded goat like on The Andy Griffith Show lol.