sixcat

It appears the suspension for the Galax kids will continue for 3 more games. Brown may have entrenched himself as the starter by then.

Caleb Spurlin has made the travel roster at Appalachian State as a recruited walk-on. He could be anything from 3rd down specialist to being redshirted, he isn't certain yet. On an interesting note, he started out listed as an H-Back, was moved to TE and after knocking two kids out with concussions, the defensive coordinator called him into his office, gave him a new jersey number and moved him to DL.

Article in this mornings Roanoke Times stated Brian Mann from Giles has earned the starting TB spot at Ferrum and will also be the primary returner. Kid was certainly impressive at Giles.

I'm not going to comment in a public forum about kids making regrettable decisions as kids. Something we have all done at some time in our lives. I hope others share the same philosophy. I felt comfortable speaking of suspensions in general terms given the radio guys discussed it Friday night and it has been all over social media. That is as far as I will take it.

According to a couple of parents in my office, the team was notified late last week that Isaiah will be the starter going forward regardless of whether Orton is allowed to return. We will see how that plays out, speculation being what it is. Dixon has never had the threat of a running QB. That concept intrigues the hell out of me to be honest. Isaiah is a load to bring down as well. He is a big kid.

Abingdon Grundy Marion Virginia Central Lee Graham Grayson Giles Castlewood Hurley Twin Valley J.I. Burton Patrick Henry Twin Springs Harlan Co., KY Bland George Wythe Galax Narrows Oklahoma West Virginia Virginia Tech UCLA LSU Virginia Georgia Alabama Clemson GotW Richlands 52

Galax will have to clean up a lot of issues in order to beat GW in my opinion. Far too many silly penalties to beat quality competition. Counting the benefit game against Carroll, Galax has committed 25 penalties through 2 games not including those declined. Glenvar is down significantly compared to the teams they have had in recent years. I will be interested to see if Dixon allows the suspended players to return to the team.

1. Richlands 2. Union 3. Graham 4. Pulaski 5. Abingdon 6. George Wythe 7. Galax 8. Giles 9. Hurley 10. Bluefield

Aundrey was another one of those "special" talents that Galax has seemingly had for decades. I believe the 2007 team would have competed for a state championship if they had Dixon coaching. Sams wasn't to the level of Brandon Brown or Steven Peoples but that isn't anything to be ashamed of. In my opinion, Brandon Brown could be playing on Sunday's right now if he had been given an opportunity by a D1 program. 6'-2" tall and over 200 pounds, he never looked like he was running hard nor fast but never got caught from behind and his strides were damn near 5 yards wide. Reminded me of watching Eric Dickerson. His 2001 team was excellent as well and would have benefited greatly from Dixon but the off-field issues may have been too much for them to overcome. That team had a starter murdered during the season. I believe Aundrey could have been a quality player at Union University but, for whatever reason, he didn't stay and returned home after a season. Galax has had no less than half-a-dozen, maybe more, players receive D1 attention since that 2001 team. Not bad for a nonexistent football program prior to Mark Dixon's arrival.

I was living in Roanoke in 2001 but I certainly remember Brandon Brown. If he had been able to play for Mark Dixon, he might have broken 4000 yards as a senior. He was a man amoung boys.

Tough to predict right now. Several starters are suspended and facing possible criminal charges including the QB. The team spent yesterday being questioned by police rather than on the practice field. If the line progresses as it did last year, anyone can turn and hand off to Dougie Peoples and Blake Brown. Both had huge nights against Carroll last week. Dougie had 290 yards and Brown had 130 and 5 TD's. But it all starts with the line. We will see who, if anyone, is ultimately punished.

I should also add, one of Radford's best athletes in recent years has SWVA roots. Heth Grant is the grandson of Clintwood legend Johnny McFall.

The River Ridge and Blue Ridge were not formed until 2003-2004 school year, if memory serves. A little over a decade doesn't scream "history". The New River has been non-existent for well over two decades and never really produced anyone of note that I can recall. Some very good athletes came through the New River District but not on a national and even professional level like far SWVA. I competed in the New River District from 1989-1991. Donny and Sidney Snell come to mind but not much more than that to be honest other than Shayne Graham. If you want history, look up Calvin Talford on Youtube. It will be well worth your investment of time. You will even find a snippet in one of those videos of him dunking on a blonde, white kid with limited ability. That long lost kid would be me. Talford was the singular best athlete I ever played against. He went on to play basketball at ETSU, win an NCAA dunk contest and help lead ETSU to what may be the biggest NCAA Tournament upset of all time. While your on Youtube, check out Heath Miller, Julius Jones, Thomas Jones, Ahmad Bradshaw or Boo Sensabaugh to name a few. If you wish to speak to some knowledgeable fans with memories going back generations on this board, ask them about Bill Dudley from Bluefield. Radford and other New River schools have produced some fine athletes as well as some talented teams over the years but they pale in comparison to what far SWVA has produced. Roanoke area schools not named Salem haven't historically had tremendous success against SWVA powers. I was in Victory Stadium when Ahmad Bradshaw rushed for well over 300 yards and scored 5 TD's as Graham beat PH-Roanoke like a rented mule in 2001, I believe. Just the opinion of someone who grew up in Fries and currently resides in Galax.

I don't recall who it was but someone used this game plan against Galax a few years ago. Went for every 4th down, regardless of field position or distance as well as every kickoff being of the "on-sides" variety. Galax set a school record for scoring and, if memory serves, knelt the 4th quarter away. This occurred shortly after the ESPN story about the coach in Arkansas who has employed this concept with great success. My take-a-way was/is, as with any system, personnel matters!

Grundy Chilhowie Abingdon Central Richlands Lee Ridgeview Union Alleghany Lebanon Virginia Giles Hurley Patrick Henry Trinity Academy Northwood Rural Retreat Bland Auburn G(s)OTW Graham 61 George Wythe 52 Galax 31

Prior to the start of last season.

This is nothing more than Nike paying tribute to Nike and spinning the narrative to sell product.

Thanks for sharing Ryan.

I get parent frustration when being forced into such an ordeal more than you may imagine, believe me! But as a parent, you have to do what is in the long term best interest of your child. Having them front and center on the 6 o'clock news isn't in that child's best interest. The first call should have been to law enforcement and the second should have been lining up interviews with qualified therapists with extensive backgrounds in helping kids who have been victimized. At the end of the day, your child is all that matters. Get them the help they will need to cope with the situation. Nothing else really matters.

In my opinion, felony charges should lead to suspension of all extra curricular activity privileges for all public school students until the issue is resolved. Unfortunately, that is often not the case. Typically, those kids committing felonies are often the most aggressive and have the most to offer an athletic program, therefore, it is "overlooked" by all involved. However, these article(s) read as much more of an indictment on the Scott County Clerks Office than the Gate City School System. The parents of the 11 year old boy should be strung up by their collective balls for allowing that kid to be interviewed on television. Based on the information at hand, it's reasonable to assume rational, reasonable and responsible parenting isn't a strong suit in that household!

Go home, your drunk!

I think RC is refering to Narrows new destination. Narrows is moving to the Pioneer District. I would guess, easily increasing the mileage by 50%.

Carroll wants to be 8-2 or 9-1 every year by playing significantly smaller schools and without having to work for it. I find it hilarious how Carroll wouldn't renew it's yearly football rivalry with Galax because the games had gotten so one sided, which they had. Now they are looking to move into a district of similarly sized schools. I can appreciate Carroll being in a terrible position as the only Class 4 school west of Roanoke. But Carroll hasn't exactly made the wisest of choices within it's athletic department either. The athletic department tends to not be very inclusive to anyone not residing within close proximity to Hillsville. They also had Mark Dixon on the coaching staff before he became head coach at Galax and let him go to keep Tom Hale. Nice choice! How has that worked out for both programs?

The only thing "wrong" with it is the fact that it's logical! Grayson would never go for it though. They aren't going to move away from a district association with Galax and Fort Chiswell without major community uproar. Very few locally understand, or care to understand, classifications based on enrollment. Most lacals don't fully understand why Carroll has never been in the MED and blame Grayson and Galax for "keeping them out".

Graham would always have a potential out of district opponent in Galax as much as they love to run up and down Mitchell. ;)