50kw

Track has high numbers.

Youth leagues are the problem area wide. Football does not work locally on the travel baseball model. Get back to the small hometown leagues that allow kids to compete first against each other and develop a love for the game.

I'm going with the Devils. South not impressive.

Devils make it interesting.

This rivalry used to be super fierce due to the fact that they grew up playing each other in Pee Wee/Midget rec league from flag through 7th grade. Now that league is just a memory and I feel because of that this rivalry has suffered a bit. I am afraid that because parents can't travel just a few miles to Sugar Hollow Park for great youth league competition between City and County that football participation numbers have dwindled for both schools. The City/County bowl championship games were always competitive and controversial.

Could be the best district this side of the state.

Who saw this coming? No 200 wins tonight.

The Blue Devils! Wow!

Weirdness abounds. 😈

This pole fiasco should be ended now.

So....Two commenting on numbers but no one talking about Battle's performance against SN? As far as coaches of other sports trying to build their program.....You better be at it year round because your competition is. I made the comment when the VHSL began to allow year round organized practice, less a few "dead" periods, that sports as a whole would suffer. The current participation numbers along with fewer true athletes to distribute between sports has taken it's toll.

What about the very first one at John Battle? I guess they just done pregame and didn't broadcast it live. My bad.

Did they make it on twice last year?

Tennessee will always get priority because of it's larger population. It doesn't mean football is better one place or another or if it seems to be a bad matchup. It's all about getting the largest audience for ratings.

And the Falcons cry the Blues (no pun intended) on twitter. 😃

All of them!

Baseball has a bigger issue.

So is this the consensus of the discussion? There is a decline in numbers across the board due to aging and declining population for a variety of reasons. We know it's not the student/athletes fault. If a prominent and respected member of this board is not willing to risk the health of their own child to play this game (and for good reason, no judgement, I get it completely) then the game is it's own enemy and will self devour. Students do have a large load of work just to graduate, go to college, have a car and some part time work, all the while dealing with a fast paced crazy world. Go out and enjoy the game every chance you have. It will not be here much longer.

Dang......I think we all should just practice for about six months and then quit.

Where you are missing the point is that all these kids are going DI or straight to the pros out of high school 😂. Same kids cant even dominate A or AA SWVA talent. I will say all the travel teams have taken the hometown pride out of local sports. That is a big part of it. There is no sense of commitment or loyalty to the community. PREACH!

I would be very afraid to dress in the visitors football locker room at Lebanon Middle School. I know we've talked and talked about it but SWVA is hurting for good or decent paying jobs. Coal is never going to be what it was. Check the numbers of households with school aged children and you'll see they are low.

Breath...... 😉

It's over......GC is back!

Games scheduled for Thursday May 16th: No. 7 Ridgeview at No. 2 John Battle No. 6 Lee High at No. 3 Union No. 5 Central at No. 4 Gate City

Not a lot of interest. Interviews have been done.