Great City

All joking aside, good luck Richlands. I hope you guys win. Represent the SWD well along with SWVA in general. I will be cheering for you.

Congrats Haysi!

Congrats gate city boys and girls.

Congratulations to the GC volleyball team on their state championship today.  They defeated Luray 25-18, 25-18, and 25-23.

Congratulations to the GC volleyball team on their state championship today.  They defeated Luray 25-18, 25-18, and 25-23.

Congrats GC! Good luck next week

Congrats GC. 

Impressive turnaround for GC this season

Group 1A State Championship
Auburn def. Altavista, 3-0 (25-17, 25-18, 25-13)
 
Group 2A State Championship
Gate City def. Luray, 3-0 (25-18, 25-18, 25-23)
 
Hidden Vally and Warhill playing for the 3A title at about 3.
 
Auburn and Gate City win volleyball titles for SWVA!!
 

Not football.... but Gate City Volleyball is in state championship game Saturday
 
Times-News Sports@tnsportslive
Congrats to the @bluedevilslive volleyball team, which beat R.E. Lee 19-25, 25-16, 25-22, 25-10 to make #VHSL title game, 1 p.m. Saturday!
 
 
KTN Sports

"That was exactly my point, so we agree. And I apologize if my past experiences made me think poorly of your fans, but the letting the air out of tires and rock throwing really stuck with me. I should let that go and not think poorly of your fans today. Sorry."
Sorry for my rant.
 
One of my BIG pet peeves is when an entire group is judged based on the actions of a few members of that group. The group can be GC fans, a minority, "rednecks", or whatever. That has just never made sense to me.
 
Of course I also can't stand it when someone uses almost all of the ice in an ice tray and doesn't fill it back up. Or, when someone leaves just a tad of coffee in the pot here at work. If you leave less than a full mug of coffee in the pot, pour it out and make a new pot.
 
 
 
During the past 2-3 years, I have seen the police have to escort VA High "fans" out of the GC gym because of their behavior. One enraged "fan" tried to get on the floor. Obviously this doesn't make the entire fan base bad. Would also be crazy of me to judge any VA High fan, I might meet in the future, based on the action of these "fans".

You know........it seems some people on this board need to take a step back and realize a few things.
 
 
#1 You are not in High School anymore. Unfortunately kids in High School do things that we just can't explain. I'm guilty of a few of those myself.
 
#2 Just because you have had a bad experience with some "fans" from another school, odds are the entire fan base is not "bad". ALL schools have their bad apples. No doubt a "bad fan experience" could be told about EVERY school.
 
#3 You need to let go of things that happened to you in High School. Those days are over and gone. Heck, at one point you used to crap in your own clothes. You got over that.
 
#4 How well your school does on Friday night or Saturday afternoon does NOT really change who you are. Well, it shouldn't. If it does, you probably need professional help.

Congratulations Battle.
 
John Battle wins in three sets over Glenvar. 26-24, 25-23, don't know the score of the third set. I guess that qualifies Battle for the final four next week.
 
 
 
Gate City taking on James River next.

Gate City is playing better, and having more success.
 
Part of this is because the younger players on the team have grown up some, and are playing better. The freshman QB is making better decisions, and the line on both sides of the ball is playing better. Play calling has also improved. It seemed like early in the year we were trying to run many different plays out of many different formations. The last few weeks we have gone to a more simple game plan. No doubt those formations/plays are still available, but stick to what is working. Kick coverage has gotten better. Still not great, but better. it was killing us early in the year.
 
Part of this is that the competition earlier in the year was pretty tough. No offense to the teams GC has played recently, but OVERALL, VA High, Lee, Battle, and Wise Central are not as tough as Richlands, Sullivan South, Bluefield, and Union. (Not that it would have mattered with Bluefield, but we dealt wtih some player suspensions during that span.)
 
 
 
ALL teams deal with multiple injuries this time of year. No way around it. A couple of weeks ago our 4th string tailback was forced to get some carries due to injuries. Our starting tailback missed some time, but now is back...........with a cast on his arm. We have a RB (who is averaging over 9 yards a carry and 46 yards a punt return) who looks like he will be out again this week. Again, ALL teams are going through this right now. You just have to put your healthiest kids on the field and hope for the best.
 
 
Another semi-down year for GC, but I have been impressed with the way the team has improved. Thought we would be lucky to win 4 games this year. Real happy I was wrong about that.

Gate City is playing better, and having more success.
 
Part of this is because the younger players on the team have grown up some, and are playing better. The freshman QB is making better decisions, and the line on both sides of the ball is playing better. Play calling has also improved. It seemed like early in the year we were trying to run many different plays out of many different formations. The last few weeks we have gone to a more simple game plan. No doubt those formations/plays are still available, but stick to what is working. Kick coverage has gotten better. Still not great, but better. it was killing us early in the year.
 
Part of this is that the competition earlier in the year was pretty tough. No offense to the teams GC has played recently, but OVERALL, VA High, Lee, Battle, and Wise Central are not as tough as Richlands, Sullivan South, Bluefield, and Union. (Not that it would have mattered with Bluefield, but we dealt wtih some player suspensions during that span.)
 
 
 
ALL teams deal with multiple injuries this time of year. No way around it. A couple of weeks ago our 4th string tailback was forced to get some carries due to injuries. Our starting tailback missed some time, but now is back...........with a cast on his arm. We have a RB (who is averaging over 9 yards a carry and 46 yards a punt return) who looks like he will be out again this week. Again, ALL teams are going through this right now. You just have to put your healthiest kids on the field and hope for the best.
 
 
Another semi-down year for GC, but I have been impressed with the way the team has improved. Thought we would be lucky to win 4 games this year. Real happy I was wrong about that.

For the most part Gate City has great fans! I have really enjoyed our games through the years good and bad. Sure there are bad eggs there but we have them to. I love having a loud and electric atmosphere on game night! It definitely pumps the boys up and after all that's what its all about anyway.
 
I haven't seen Battle play this year but really enjoy seeing what's happening there. Its great to see a team turn it around the way they have and there fans excited about Friday nights. I have seen Gate City of course. My thoughts are........if the Hicks kid plays and can run the ball.....Gate City can win. If he doesn't then Battle probably wins.
 
I have to agree with others here turnovers can very well decide a game that most believe to be a close one. Good luck to both!!! Should be a great game.

Bearcat Bob.....
 
" noticed that you did not address these in your rather long and detailed response.  If you are going to "go there", you have to go all the way"
 
I'll make you a deal. I'll address them if you answer the questions I asked you. Deal? I'll assume you are a pretty stand up guy and will answer my questions. They are located in post #30.
 
"Opposing fans understandably learn to dislike losing to GC"...
 
I hope I don't ruffle your feathers too much here, but what i tried to explain is that GENERALLY Gate City has a good football team. A lot of area teams are used to losing to GC more than they are used to beating GC. I believe this contributes to a lot of fans not particularly caring for GC fans. (Again, I am NOT talking about or defending the fans who are jerks and don't behave appropriately. ALL schools have those fans. I don't agree with their behaviors no matter what school they cheer for). *Please see Jethro's comments below for an example of this.
 
GC's non-common opponents are a combined 27-10. A little more impressive than Battle's opponents at 16-12. Even if you take Sullivan South's 8-0 record out of the mix, GC's opponents would still be 19-10"...
 
 
Not really sure why you have a problem with these FACTS. Unless my math is wrong, which is always a possibility, these are just pure, hard facts. Hard to argue with facts.
 
Strength of schedule is always used in the BCS. It is also used by the VHSL. Should both of those organizations stop using, or talking about, strength of schedule.
 
 
I would GUESS that GC would have Battle's record, even with all the injuries/turmoil, if they had played Battle's schedule
 
Not really sure why you don't like this comment. Notice how I used the word "GUESS"? I didn't say that it was true. I simply gave my GUESS. You are more than welcome to make your own GUESS. I may not agree with it, but that is OK.
 
 
 
Bearcat Bob...you said "My dear old grandpa used to tell me not to put much stock in people who felt it necessary to brag on themselves or who belittle others."
 
You also said....."I don't care for Gate City fans very much.  Nothing against the players but some of those fans are insufferable." & "The more you try to prove your not a "typical Blue Devil", the more the typical you seem."
 
Really sounds like you are belittling an entire group of fans. Not sure what your dear old Grandpa would think of that.
 
Also sounds like you are trying to belittle me with the "typical Blue Devil" comment.
 
Helpful hint: It is NEVER a smart idea to judge an entire group/race of people based on the actions of a small minority of that group.
 
 
 
SWVAOUTDOORS.....
"When the Sullivan South students did what they did I actually thought it was cool. Really hoping it sparks a very good friendly border rivalry."
 
You know.....I also thought it was an OK thing to do.....as long as all the students kept their cool. It seems like the kids from both schools yelled and screamed a lot (the South kids got to scream a lot more), but there were no altercations.
 
 
 
JETHRO.....
"I wish Gate City fans would sit on their "HOME SIDE" no sense when there is plenty room over there. The rednecks sit on the away side cause their own fans don't want them embarrassing them over there".
 
The "home side" is for season ticket holders (except for the section reserved for the band). GC fans without season tickets sit on one end of the "visitor's side". Not a bad problem to have if you have so many fans they need to use both sides of the stadium.
 
"I can't stand gc. Of course I will pull for battle. gc always beat me in my time in school. I hold a grudge."
 
Kind of supports what I was trying to say. If a fan is used to losing to GC, they are going to not like the GC fans. I understand not caring for the fans who are acting like jerks. But as Jethro pointed out, he can't stand the entire town of Gate City because of "always" losing to GC.
 
"If hating Gate City was a job, I would be the CEO!!!!!!"
 
HaHaHa.  Got to admit. This is funny.

Bearcat Bob.....
 
" noticed that you did not address these in your rather long and detailed response.  If you are going to "go there", you have to go all the way"
 
I'll make you a deal. I'll address them if you answer the questions I asked you. Deal? I'll assume you are a pretty stand up guy and will answer my questions. They are located in post #30.
 
"Opposing fans understandably learn to dislike losing to GC"...
 
I hope I don't ruffle your feathers too much here, but what i tried to explain is that GENERALLY Gate City has a good football team. A lot of area teams are used to losing to GC more than they are used to beating GC. I believe this contributes to a lot of fans not particularly caring for GC fans. (Again, I am NOT talking about or defending the fans who are jerks and don't behave appropriately. ALL schools have those fans. I don't agree with their behaviors no matter what school they cheer for). *Please see Jethro's comments below for an example of this.
 
GC's non-common opponents are a combined 27-10. A little more impressive than Battle's opponents at 16-12. Even if you take Sullivan South's 8-0 record out of the mix, GC's opponents would still be 19-10"...
 
 
Not really sure why you have a problem with these FACTS. Unless my math is wrong, which is always a possibility, these are just pure, hard facts. Hard to argue with facts.
 
Strength of schedule is always used in the BCS. It is also used by the VHSL. Should both of those organizations stop using, or talking about, strength of schedule.
 
 
I would GUESS that GC would have Battle's record, even with all the injuries/turmoil, if they had played Battle's schedule
 
Not really sure why you don't like this comment. Notice how I used the word "GUESS"? I didn't say that it was true. I simply gave my GUESS. You are more than welcome to make your own GUESS. I may not agree with it, but that is OK.
 
 
 
Bearcat Bob...you said "My dear old grandpa used to tell me not to put much stock in people who felt it necessary to brag on themselves or who belittle others."
 
You also said....."I don't care for Gate City fans very much.  Nothing against the players but some of those fans are insufferable." & "The more you try to prove your not a "typical Blue Devil", the more the typical you seem."
 
Really sounds like you are belittling an entire group of fans. Not sure what your dear old Grandpa would think of that.
 
Also sounds like you are trying to belittle me with the "typical Blue Devil" comment.
 
Helpful hint: It is NEVER a smart idea to judge an entire group/race of people based on the actions of a small minority of that group.
 
 
 
SWVAOUTDOORS.....
"When the Sullivan South students did what they did I actually thought it was cool. Really hoping it sparks a very good friendly border rivalry."
 
You know.....I also thought it was an OK thing to do.....as long as all the students kept their cool. It seems like the kids from both schools yelled and screamed a lot (the South kids got to scream a lot more), but there were no altercations.
 
 
 
JETHRO.....
"I wish Gate City fans would sit on their "HOME SIDE" no sense when there is plenty room over there. The rednecks sit on the away side cause their own fans don't want them embarrassing them over there".
 
The "home side" is for season ticket holders (except for the section reserved for the band). GC fans without season tickets sit on one end of the "visitor's side". Not a bad problem to have if you have so many fans they need to use both sides of the stadium.
 
"I can't stand gc. Of course I will pull for battle. gc always beat me in my time in school. I hold a grudge."
 
Kind of supports what I was trying to say. If a fan is used to losing to GC, they are going to not like the GC fans. I understand not caring for the fans who are acting like jerks. But as Jethro pointed out, he can't stand the entire town of Gate City because of "always" losing to GC.
 
"If hating Gate City was a job, I would be the CEO!!!!!!"
 
HaHaHa.  Got to admit. This is funny.

"These types of comments are all too common with many Gate City supporters.  True statement? Maybe, sure."
 
Not trying to argue. Just wondering which of my statements you quoted may NOT be true. If they are true, what is wrong with saying them?
 
"Appropriate?  I guess."
 
Again, just wondering why they would NOT be appropriate. I didn't call out fans from any specific school. i actually said EVERY school has fans who are jerks. I would guess that most people on this board would agree with that. Why would my thoughts/comments not be appropriate for a public forum?
 
 
 "Annoying?  Yes."
 
OK. I'll give you this one. I am sure they are annoying.
 
 
 "Why?  Because it happens all the time. 
 
This is EXACTLY the point I was trying to make. The GC fans get on your nerves more than the fans from other schools because generally GC has a good football team. The fans from other schools generally have to listen to GC fans cheering a winning team. I completely understand how this gets old., and how GC fans may bother you more than other fants.
 
"I doubt you even see why these comments are irksome."
 
Just the opposite. I think I totally understand why these comments are irksome.
 
 
* To be clear, I am NOT talking about the fans who really are jerks, the fans who try to start trouble, or the fans who generally show a lack of respect for the other school or their fans. ALL schools have these type of fans. To think or say otherwise is simply naive.
 
 
"At the Bball game they were yelling at our cheerleaders"
 
I would never defend that type of action. None of the "fans" I have ever been with have done anything like that.
 
"at the Fball game @ Haysi they were sitting on our side"
 
I don't have a problem with this. I ASSUME there were no, or very few, seats on the other side.
 
I mentioned Sullivan South earlier. At the GC - Sullivan South game this year at GC, the South student section came to the game WAY early to get seats in GC's student section. The stadium was almost empty. They could of had any seats they wanted. They brought a big sign and hung it on the stadium. They cheered, yelled, and chanted the whole game. South kicked our tails all over the field, and we had to listen to the fans. Annoying? Of course. Options? Deal with it, have a better team, or don't play them. BTW, there were no incidents between the students or fans.
 
 
"My biggest issue with GC fans in general is alot of them are very loud/proud when the team is good but now that they arent those "fans" are very quiet. They arent really fans, just loudmouths."
 
I agree. I don't particularly care for the fans who just jump on the bandwagon when their team is winning. But you have got to realize that ALL fans talk more when their team is winning.
 
I was on this board last year and said GC had the worst team I had EVER seen at GC. Predicted they would win two ames.......they did. I guessed they would win four games this year. I hope I underestimated them this year.
 
"But there are jerks everywhere"
 
BINGO!

Being a GC fan, I'm not real sure how to take the "I don't care for Gate City fans very much" type comments. :)  Bearcat Bob...you do go on to say that "some of those fans are insufferable". I would GUESS that "some" of the fans for ALL schools are pretty insufferable. Having attended my fair share of high school events the last 30+ years, I can pretty much guarantee it.
 
I do understand the animosity toward GC football fans. GC has been pretty good in football for many, many years. (I wonder how GC ranks as far as winningest programs in VA? I hope someone looks that up and posts it.) Opposing fans understandably learn to dislike losing to GC. Just saying. (I do know how you feel. The Sullivan South fans are pretty loud. Sullivan South has been destroying GC. They are currently the 4th ranked 4A team in Tennessee.)
 
BTW, every other fan for GC does NOT have a cow bell. I would guess there were less than 10 cow bells at the GC - Lee game. Those that bring the bells just lke to use them.
 
Anyway.......back to the game.
 
I agree with the people who have said this game will come down to turnovers and big plays. Have not seen Battle play this year. I do know that GC played them toe-to-toe last year. This year's GC team is better than last year's team. This year's Battle team is not as good as last year's team (from what I have read.) But again, turnovers and big plays will decide this one.
 
Injuries continue to kill GC.
 
I'm not sure if Herron will play this week. Leg injury against Lee. He was averaging over 40 yards a punt return (according to the Kingsport Times News.) He had also inherited the starting tailback and starting defensive back jobs due to injuries. GC was forced to use the 4th string tailback some against Lee last week.
 
RB Hicks (the opening game starter at tailback) should play. He played some last week........with a cast on his arm. Makes holding on to the ball and catching passes a little more difficult.
 
GC had a defensive starter go down last week with a separated shoulder and separated elbow.
 
 
A look at common opponents:
 
Battle beat Abingdon by 16, Virginia High by 15, and Lebanon by 16.
GC beat Abingdon by 21, Virginia High by 12, and Lebanon by 19.
 
Based on common opponents, it looks like the teams should be pretty evenly matched.
 
 
Battle has a much better overall record. Looks like it is due to strenght of schedule. A look at the record of the non-common opponents. Battle's opponents have a 16-12 record. Almost half of those wins belong to Honaker (7 wins). Take Honaker's wins away, and the Battle opponents are only 9-12. Of course Battle played Honaker well.
 
GC's non-common opponents are a combined 27-10. A little more impressive than Battle's opponents at 16-12. Even if you take Sullivan South's 8-0 record out of the mix, GC's opponents would still be 19-10.
 
I would GUESS that GC would have Battle's record, even with all the injuries/turmoil, if they had played Battle's schedule.
 
 
Oh well, you still have to line up and play the game. Hope it is a good one.

GC wins 37-25.
 
"Hang a hundred on them"..my a$$.
 
Great win for a team that has been dealing with a bunch of issues the last few weeks. 

GC 20 Lebanon 0
 
Collier 5 yard TD run (third rushing TD of the game). 2 pt conversion is good.