sixcat

The truth is in the middle.
 
High school football is not what every 15-18 year old boy aspires to and is inspired by anymore.  There are infinite pursuits that are competing for the time of our youth in this millennium, when there were much more limited avenues in yesteryear. 

With the “rise-and-grind” mindset that’s pumped into the current generation, I don’t think it’s the work ethic that’s lacking.  There are some extraordinary things being done by youth that aren’t seen in an athletic context.  But it is passion that inspires those pursuits. Getting barked at by a coach doesn’t excite the passion that it did in a previous generation.  A kid can just as easily apply himself to something else.  
 
A good coach, though one that may be gruff, doesn’t have the entire student body population clamoring to play anymore.  It’s not nearly as simple as kids not having a backbone or work ethic. 

Lots of other opportunities, sports isn't the only game in town anymore.  

Galax beat GW 44-37 in the MED basketball semifinal tonight. Can’t say I saw that coming!

Hello everybody. 
 
It’s been quite a while since I’ve been on the boards. Nearly 5 months now. While I won’t go into exact details — I felt it necessary to get away and take a break from most forms of social media. I left the board and also left Facebook for over 2 months. I used that time to look inward, instead of always looking outward and trying to find the negative around me. 
 
Through it all, I feel like I’ve started to turn a corner in my mental health. My family has went through the gauntlet this fall and winter. Multiple deaths — many due to Covid — have taken away people I loved dearly. Rifts with family and friends. Personal health and financial hardships. We’ve been through it all and come out (so far) stronger. 
 
Over the last several years, I’ve become unnecessarily combative to those around me — and that includes many of you here. For that, I am sorry. I’ve seen the pattern of who I was as a human, and continue to strive to correct that flaw on a daily basis. I don’t always win the battle — but I am determined to win this war. I hope that you can forgive me for things I may have said or done in the past that were out of line and unnecessary. If not — I understand that as well and truly respect where you’re coming from. I did years of damage to relationships and friendships that aren’t easily repaired. 
 
In any case, I am excited to get back and talk local sports with all of you. We are so lucky to be alive and healthy and able to talk about our amazing athletes from Radford to Ewing (hey Brady). 
 
Also, a huge thank you to GMan for checking in on me in what was a low point. I really do appreciate it. 

Scotch and Glenrochie typical UT fan living in the bright lights of A town.

My concern with Galax is community support.  Dixon took a sharply divided community and unified them toward a common goal.  What Galax has done over the past decade doesn't happen without community support.  Nobody questioned Dixon's ability, leadership and authority.  I'm not sure Allen has that same personality or mentality.

My concern with Galax is community support.  Dixon took a sharply divided community and unified them toward a common goal.  What Galax has done over the past decade doesn't happen without community support.  Nobody questioned Dixon's ability, leadership and authority.  I'm not sure Allen has that same personality or mentality.

In my opinion, the entire process should be streamlined.  We are the most technologically advanced society on the planet and we vote as if it were 1821 rather than 2021.

In my opinion, the entire process should be streamlined.  We are the most technologically advanced society on the planet and we vote as if it were 1821 rather than 2021.

Yep, planting Bermuda at this elevation in this climate is a waste of money.

Reminds me of Va High and them just painting the lines and hash marks in black to contrast with the dead grass.  Unique look if nothing else.

He's been a solid producer for them for the past four seasons.  He scored a touchdown a few weeks ago against Troy.
 
 

You sure Turner didn't resign because of "health reasons"? LOL.... that seems to be his reason everytime things start to look bad

He's been a solid producer for them for the past four seasons.  He scored a touchdown a few weeks ago against Troy.
 
 

That would be a huge "get" for GC.  I'm not sure why he would walk away from Lynchburg to come to a program that struggles to get 25 players dressed on any given Friday night.  But given his recent past, maybe GC is where he rehabilitates his head coaching reputation. 

My direct paternal lineage runs through Grayson County. We had a direct presence in Old Town and Elk Creek from about 1800 until my great grandfather moved to WV around 1910.  Given my own origin, mark me down for something in recruiting.  😉

Grayson County as a whole is a "house divided" right now.  They have the long-time residents who can trace their families back for generations.  Then they have the "implants" coming from outside the area buying up all the struggling farm land.  Those two segments of local society are at odds with one-another and have dramatically different opinions of how things should operate.  The previous iteration of elected county officials (Board of Supervisors and School Board) consisted of a majority of folks from outside the area.  The current iteration is entirely local.  That battle has been waging for at least 15 years.  It appears locals are trying to take back control of the county.  Anyone without lengthy local ties are being shunned so to speak.  It's not just McPherson, they have lost an inordinate amount of teachers throughout the county over the past few years.  Whats funny though, McPherson and the superintendent of Grayson County schools are both from Craig County.  If I were him, I would be updated my resume!
There is also the fact that McPherson and Grayson County has been a victim of the success of Galax athletics.  McPherson is well liked in the coaching community and is good friends with both Mark Dixon and Shane Allen.  McPherson would be a great addition to either staff.  I suspect he will end up on one or the other. 

I have lengthy ties to both Grayson and Carroll Co....maybe I should go run things...

Wake Forest Demon Deacons!  Interesting for a school founded in 1834 by Baptists.  Until 1986, Board members were required to also be members of the North Carolina State Baptist Convention.  
The following is clipped from Wikipedia.
In 1923, the Wake Forest football team defeated rival Trinity (later renamed Duke University). In the following issue of the school newspaper, the editor of the paper, Mayon Parker (1924 Wake Forest graduate), first referred to the team as "Demon Deacons," in recognition of what he called their "devilish" play and fighting spirit. Henry Belk, Wake Forest's news director, and Garrity liked the title and used it often, so the popularity of the term grew.

Thought some may be interested to know.  Andrew's paternal great-grandmother is my dad's sister.  We used to beat up on Chad and my brother when they were kids.  Wouldn't attempt it today!

By what metrics?

Nobody wins.  Somebody will be elected.  But nobody wins.

I see abortion not as a problem but as a symptom of a problem. That problem is unwanted pregnancy. Until we address that as rational people we will never be able to address the symptoms of that problem rationally. Other symptoms include poverty, poor education, unemployment, crime, etc. 

Thought some may be interested to know.  Andrew's paternal great-grandmother is my dad's sister.  We used to beat up on Chad and my brother when they were kids.  Wouldn't attempt it today!

Thought some may be interested to know.  Andrew's paternal great-grandmother is my dad's sister.  We used to beat up on Chad and my brother when they were kids.  Wouldn't attempt it today!