ThomasDenton

I shouldn't have laughed at that........but it was hilarious.

I'd really like to see that matchup. Or if it's an all West state title game, then Fort Chiswell and Honaker.

Fort Chiswell vs. Essex 1A State Title game.

Wow! I didn't know GC had that many starters.

We used to play PH and Holston about every year for HC. And when we played Holston, it seemed like we would lose to them at our HC and beat them at theirs. I've always thought it'd be better to play a tougher team on HC, but you do make a good point about there being too many distractions (though I don't really think HC distractions was the main cause of our loss this year, Honaker is just big and strong up front and that'll give any team an advantage). I still wouldn't schedule a cupcake team though...maybe a team that (you could predict) is about the same level or only slightly weaker. I think Honaker is about the same level as JSB, they just played better at the line of scrimmage that night and it could've gone either way. Win or lose, they made a great homecoming opponent. I still wish JSB could play VHS one year at our homecoming just for the excitement.

I don't really think it was on purpose. I believe it was just really poor timing. The girl that does the prayer doesn't speak very loudly (sometimes I even have some trouble understanding what she's saying and I'm up on the press box) and Honaker, down in the corner of the endzone, was getting ready to run out as our team had just done. Imagine you're in that huddle, getting pumped and ready to run out and the fans and band are eagerly waiting on your cue, you probably wouldn't be paying attention to what was being said on the PA.
 
Anyway, it really was a great game. Battle had a 10 point lead in the first quarter and that was by far the biggest lead of the night (every other lead was by 3 or 4 until Honaker got the final lead by 2). Especially in the second half, it was like these two teams were going tit for tat, one would make some plays and score, then the other would respond. Honaker just came out as the stronger team last night. Also, it was a pretty good crowd too. Took me over half an hour to get off Battle Hill, lol.

Honaker has some big, strong guys up front. It was an completely defensive battle in the first half, then all offense the second half. One team would score, then the other. Seemed like Honaker did the same thing as last year, just a good old fashioned power run game with a great offensive line to open up huge holes and we just couldn't do enough in the end. Had a chance at the end when Honaker's last PAT was blocked and then Battle (down by 2) got the ball back after a 4th down interception on their final drive when Honaker got a pass interference call, but they picked it again with under 30 seconds left to win the game. Another great game in this series. I'm pretty bummed that we lost, but I can't be depressed after a game like that. Congrats on the win Tigers!

Honaker has some big, strong guys up front. It was an completely defensive battle in the first half, then all offense the second half. One team would score, then the other. Seemed like Honaker did the same thing as last year, just a good old fashioned power run game with a great offensive line to open up huge holes and we just couldn't do enough in the end. Had a chance at the end when Honaker's last PAT was blocked and then Battle (down by 2) got the ball back after a 4th down interception on their final drive when Honaker got a pass interference call, but they picked it again with under 30 seconds left to win the game. Another great game in this series. I'm pretty bummed that we lost, but I can't be depressed after a game like that. Congrats on the win Tigers!

Honaker has some big, strong guys up front. It was an completely defensive battle in the first half, then all offense the second half. One team would score, then the other. Seemed like Honaker did the same thing as last year, just a good old fashioned power run game with a great offensive line to open up huge holes and we just couldn't do enough in the end. Had a chance at the end when Honaker's last PAT was blocked and then Battle (down by 2) got the ball back after a 4th down interception on their final drive when Honaker got a pass interference call, but they picked it again with under 30 seconds left to win the game. Another great game in this series. I'm pretty bummed that we lost, but I can't be depressed after a game like that. Congrats on the win Tigers!

The work never ends

Posted on October 2, 2013
by Allen Gregory



To the outsider, the life of a high school football coach can seem glamorous.

From Wytheville to Lee County, these men are regarded as iron-willed leaders who can help lift the mood of an entire community.

And in Southwest Virginia, there is no stronger form of motivational magic than a successful high school football team.

That’s why coaches such as Harry Fry (Gate City), Ralph Cummins (Clintwood), Phil Robbins (Powell Valley), Tom Turner (Appalachia) and James Colley (Haysi) have commanded such respect. It’s all about regional pride and bragging rights.

Few folks realize the process behind the scenes, however.

In this politically-correct age, coaches must juggle more roles than ever. And if you want to chase a championship, there are no days off.

At many schools, the grind begins on Saturday morning with film review and grading, plus treatment of injuries.

On Sunday afternoons, many coaching staffs gather to research the tendencies of the next opponent and start formulating a game plan for Friday.

The serious work begins on Monday, as teams rehash their basic plays while simulating the formations of the opposition. Long after practice, there is more film study. Every coach searches to find a weakness.

It takes a reservoir of patience and an Alpha Male personality to handle the weekly juggling act.

The modern-day coach must counsel troubled teens, soothe angry parents, tabulate stats, maintain and mark off the playing surface, teach classes, wash uniforms, answer questions from reporters and serve as a recruiting coordinator. The list of chores goes on.

Naturally, the burnout factor is high.

Consider the case of Steve Wright. Over the past three seasons, this humble Virginia High School graduate has transformed the long-suffering John Battle program.

The emergence of the Trojans has been well-documented. There have been winning records, playoff appearances and overflow crowds.

And the beat goes on. This Friday, John Battle (5-0) will host the Honaker Tigers (4-0) in a showdown sure to attract another massive crowd.

Wright has earned the right to be a tad cocky, but it’s never gonna happen.

Wright simply goes to work – day after day. He studies, plans, adjusts and motivates – and his hardcore cast of athletes responds.

Somehow, Wright even found time to attend a Sunday afternoon concert featuring musical innovator Pokey LaFarge during the annual Rhythm & Roots Reunion in downtown Bristol.

This Monday afternoon, Wright was back at his post in the ancient John Battle coaches office.

After holding practice, Wright met with a reporter and attended the junior varsity game against Abingdon. He then went back to his scheming-and-dreaming routine for Honaker and its veteran coach Doug Hubbard.

The lone regular season loss for Battle last season came in a 20-7 decision at Honaker, while the Trojans recorded a dramatic 22-19 homecoming win over Honaker two seasons ago.

“We’ve had good games with Honaker the past two years,†Wright said. “Honaker is big, well-coached and plays with confidence. They have a good quarterback, a solid kicking game and good skill players. I don’t see any weaknesses.â€

Battle is coming off a 35-6 victory Friday in one of the biggest games at Patrick Henry in over a decade.

“It was a good atmosphere for both teams,†Wright said.

For football purists who appreciate the game behind the game, the chess match between Hubbard and Wright offers intrigue.

“Coach Hubbard is one of the deans of Southwest Virginia football,†Wright said. “Honaker is used to winning, and that always helps.â€

Thanks to their hard-working coach, the expectations on Battle Hill have climbed and the mood has improved.
 

It's too difficult to throw a spiral with a basketball.

You're darn tootin'!

For the record, I figured Abingdon would win that game. I saw at their game with Battle that they do have some really good skill players and it was a close game last year.

You usually don't hear coaches talk about other teams that's not on their schedule.  Just thought this was a great compliment to what the coaches and players are doing up at Battle.
Here is part of the article in the BHC. 
 
BRISTOL, Tenn. – Like thousands of others in the area last week, Tennessee High coach Mike Mays spent his Friday night on Battle Hill watching the Trojans take down Virginia High once again.
 
While Mays may have picked up a few tips for facing the Bearcats in tonight’s 97th clash between the two Bristol city schools, what stuck out in his mind was something familiar about the guys in green on defense.
Namely, he caught a glimpse of Christian Gibson and Ryan Fleenor.
 
“We watched Battle play the other night and I love to watch Battle because they remind me of a bunch of Gibbys and Fleenors,†Mays said. “They’re not real big, but they’re physical and they hit and they tackle. … If we can get our defense to play like their defense, we’ll be in good shape.â€

Check it out, I found a better version of Abingdon's intro song...
 
http://www.wimp.com/sandmanbluegrass/
 
Just messing with ya.

Thanks for finding that! I knew we finally hit double digits, lol.

Thanks for finding that! I knew we finally hit double digits, lol.