sportsfan

This discussion confirms one thing, not all of the crazy asses in the world live in Richlands.  If Union and Giles ever square off in the playoffs and we have a really weak opponent, I could see me foregoing the Richlands game for this one.  Phil and Ragsdale could do the play by play and bring in Jerry Springer for the head official.
 
P.S. - Don't take this post too seriously, I am just funning around.

Zamir Echeagaray (#72) has been a 4 year starter and Daniel Edwards (#63) will be.  The rest play almost equal minutes between #51, #53, #56, #64, #69, #75, #77, and #78.  Christian Brown (69), Blake Willis (78) and Tyler Wilson (56) are sophomores.  I am also fairly certain Matt Coomes (64) is a sophomore.  The program also has several other misprints.  I wouldn't base my argument on what was listed there.
 
Several freshmen have been playing in some late game situations as well since their season ended October 7th.

I have seen PH play, albeit last season when they met Galax in the 1A west playoffs.  Humphrey is a terrific high school football player.  He is not close to being a D1 athlete.  In no way is that intended to be a slight on the young man.  There are a lot of terrific high school football players that many on this board can recall with fondness who could never play at the D1 level.  
 
In that game last season, Galax standout Joseph Dixon lit PH up for 267 yards on 12 carries.  
 
Let that sink in for a second and remember, Dixon isn't playing collegiate football anywhere!  
 
Redtiger and GWLoyal can attest, players like Trey Skeens and Steven Peoples come along once a lifetime for the average school at the 1A level.
 
The chasm that exists between a Division 2 football player at UVA Wise and  Division 1 football player at Virginia Tech is as wide as the Grand Canyon.

Oh boy...
 
I thought it was implied that I was gauging this Graham team against the Graham teams of years past.  Folks in my age bracket and older remember when Graham would take the field expecting to beat anyone that lined up from them on any given Friday night.  Like it or not, every Graham team is going to be compared through the lens of what came before, especially that run from 1989-2003.  Compared to those Graham teams, this Graham team IS weaker than the historical teams.  You put this Graham team on the field with any Graham team from 1989-2003, and they'd get their doors blown off.  It's even arguable if Graham this season is as good as the 2005 Marrs, 2008 Marrs, and the 2012 Williams seasons.  
 
BUT...if anyone's read anything I've posted on Graham this season, it's that Graham is far, far improved over last year's defensive disaster.  The fundamentals are much improved.  The speed is much improved.  The boys play inspired, if at times reckless, football.  And the results are clear and evident in comparison to last season.  You can't take nights off against Graham anymore, or else you'll find yourself where Grayson County did 2 weeks ago.  I think Palmer has the team headed in the right direction, and I'm excited to see what the next 3-4 years bring.  
 
That being said, I'm not going to crap sunshine and fart rainbows when the results haven't been worthy of it.  Graham is a 2-5 team that's in serious jeopardy of missing the playoffs, where literally 64% of the teams get in.  As I have to explain to UVA fans with every waking breath I have, stating well-reasoned criticism is NOT "downing this team".  I want to see Graham do well.  I graduated from there.  But Graham is by no means there yet, nor will Graham be there this season.  I am taking each week for what it's worth, and finding my joy in the Lord every step of the way.
 
Simply put...
This is not Graham's best team.  
This is Bland's best team.  
Graham really should never, ever lose to Bland in football.
I expect Graham to win convincingly.
Yay football.

It is what it is this season and maybe next.  Depth can be a major issue at the lower levels of high school football.  Charles Harris and Caleb Spurlin are as good as anyone in the state at this level.  Essentially, the rest of the team are freshmen and sophomores.  When they are seniors, the current 7th and 8th graders will be playing at the varsity level.  Galax will have tremendous depth for a 1A program.
 
It's difficult to project how middle schoolers will develop but I really believe in this group.  The coaching staff is really excited about them as well.
 
As for Galax wearing down, that may very well be the case given Dixon's nature of wanting to overpower everyone.  I haven't necessarily seen it that way.  They completely abandon the passing game for weeks at a time.  Last night clearly indicates they can throw the football when they choose to do so.  Orton finished 13-21 for 132 yards and 2 touchdowns.  He opened the season with a 200+ yard passing game only to have the coaching staff abandon the passing game completely until last night.  As for the Radford game, according to the Galax Gazette, Galax "had nearly 150 yards of offense in the 4th quarter" and didn't score a point.  I don't think you amass 150 yards of offense in a quarter and be worn down.  Galax most likely would have won the game in regulation had the kicker not failed to show up to the game after it was postponed until Saturday due to thunderstorms, opting instead to go to North Carolina to buy his first car.  He is a 3 year starter and one of the best kickers in the state and no longer on the team.  Galax had no answer for the kicking game without him, extra points and kickoffs.  Galax also had little answer for Finley, who single-handedly, dominated the 4th quarter and overtime.  He converted 4th and 9 and 4th and 4 in regulation to get into position for the game tying field goal.  He also converted 4th and 9 in overtime for the winning score.
 
I see it as more indicative of a very young football team.  Given the youth of the product on the field, coaches have been limited with in-game adjustments.  They have been able to adjust more as the season has progressed and that will only continue to improve.

Galax will be dangerous come playoff time as long as they make it, which I believe they will.  Given the youth of the current team, they will be fun to watch over the next 3 seasons.  Dougie is as aggressive as his cousin Steven and plays angry.  Josh Spurlin is only a freshman but has a maturity and intelligence that is rare for a kid his age.  He tends to learn very quickly from his mistakes and doesn't allow them to carry over to the next game.  The ceiling is very high for this young man.
 
The crop of kids in middle school right now are exciting.  I predicted publicly, multiple state championships in various sports in 2007 when I first saw Austin Pack, Deion George, Lawrence Parsons, Steven Peoples, Donte Peoples, Dante Ravenell, Eddie Hanks, Brock Cox, John Bryant, Jacob Vaughan, Travis Garvey and several others playing middle school sports.  They were completely dominant in every sport they played.  That group played in the 2011 state title game against Clintwood, won 2 basketball state championships, 1 baseball state title, and 3 golf state titles. 
 
The group in middle school right now are more impressive at this point than the previous group.  I am looking forward to watching them grow.
 
Edit to add: I should also mention, the 2007 group also included former Salem QB and current Virginia Tech TE Matt Hill who grew up in Galax.  His dad lost his job here and moved the family to Salem for Matt's 8th grade school year.  Former Carroll County QB and basketball player Connor Lundy, who went to Queens University in Charlotte on a basketball scholarship, although he is not listed on the current roster.  Former Grayson County TB Xavier Rodriguez who had over 3,000 yards from scrimmage combining receiving and rushing yards as a senior.  He plays football at Union College in Kentucky.  Ty Canniday also attended Galax schools when I first moved here but I am not sure when or why he left for Grayson.
 
All of these kids went to Galax through middle school.  Impressive group for such a small school!

Harris finished with 36 carries for 176 yards and 2 touchdowns according to the Roanoke Times.  He can definitely play at the next level.  I have heard rumors that he is getting some D1-AA attention.  
 
Dougie Peoples will make it 4 great RB's in a row next season!  

Im gonna have to check Galax out at some point this year. Ive developed a fondness for them over the past few years.
 
Glad to see they've kept the program moving forward

This is one of those games that makes high school football fun and interesting as an unbiased observer.  Two tradition rich schools with proud, knowledgeable fan bases meeting during the regular season when neither have to.  I will give Honaker a slight advantage but only slight.  GW is much better than they showed in the season opener against Radford. 

The Radford/GW game was indicative of the youth GW has as well.  Radford jumped on them early and it took a young GW team 3 quarters to recover.  That will diminish with time and experience.  If that game were played in week 6 of the regular season, it would be a much different outcome.
 
Given the youth of GW and Galax, it will be an interesting next few years.  I hope they keep each other on the regular season schedule.

I am probably not as versed in politics as some on this forum given my growing disenfranchisement of the political landscape.  It seems most want to appear to be the candidate most similar to Ronald Reagan.  That seems ironic to me since everyone wants smaller government, less expenditures, and lower taxes.  Reagan increased our national debt 13.8% per year, on average, each of the eight years he was in office.  A greater percentage than the previous 39 presidents combined.  
 
A few of the issues I have...............
 
I have never considered myself to lean entirely left or right.  I am fiscally conservative and socially liberal, to put it in general terms.  I take each issue as it is presented to me, affects me and my family, and how it affects those I care about.  I don't think abortion is ethical and wouldn't consider it as an option personally but I don't want my government legislating it.  It far too important to be mishandled the way social services or healthcare has been, historically.
 
I don't consider myself to be religious, at all!  I was raised in church and have never bought into what they are selling.  Once I was old enough to make those decisions for myself, I made the decision best suited for me.  That is my choice and my absolute right as an American citizen.  Those who consider themselves "christian" have my complete respect.  I would never attempt to force my beliefs onto someone else.  However, I demand the same respect in return.  This often leads to my pissing someone off when they make every attempt to convince my of the "error of my ways".  Religion has no place in politics and I cannot understand how one party or another became associated with being the "christian" party.  Jimmy Carter may have been the most "christian" president we have ever had and he was a Democrat.  If a couple, regardless of sexual orientation, want to marry, I absolutely do NOT want my government legislating that.  It is nothing more than  binding contract between two consenting adults.  This batshit crazy lady in Kentucky was elected to serve the people.  All people!  Not just those of like-mindedness.  It is very ironic to me, she has been married four times to three different men.  Her children were conceived by a man she was not married to while being married to another man.  Her stance against marriage in general is a complete contradiction to her own life.  If she wants to infringe upon others civil liberties, she shouldn't be permitted to hold an elected office, any elected office.
 
Healthcare has been an atrocious mess well before "Obamacare".  It isn't Obama's fault our healthcare system is broken.  He hasn't done much to help the situation but neither has anyone else.  It is well beyond time to stop pointing fingers and start working together to fix these issues. 
 
Education, the single greatest thing we can pass down to our children, has been a train-wreck for decades.  It has become such an issue, students are having to weigh the cost of higher education versus the mountain of debt likely to be incurred attaining said education.  This practice can only work to lower the value of a college education while the cost of that education skyrockets.  We spend less and less every year on our public schools and more and more on being the "world's police".  This policy has "dumbed down" our society and made us the target of hatred around the world.  Someone said it earlier in this thread, the post World War "reconstruction" (I use that term loosely) era has played itself out and no longer works.  That's assuming it ever did!
 
Obama was uniquely qualified to be a transcendent president.  He failed miserably in living up to that potential but not for the reasons most people would argue, in my opinion.  But that is for another time.
 
I spent eight years in the military.  I respect the office of the presidency, without exception!  I may disagree with the personal politics of the person holding that office but I must respect the position.  We should all get back to that philosophy, especially Congress.  Our nation can only be strengthened by it.

I wanted to like Christie but I cannot get past his position on gun control and that infamous sucking up to Obama on the Jersey shore. 
 
I still think Cruz and Carson are the sharpest knives in the drawer but am no longer sure that most are ready for brutal honesty and higher intellect. 
 
Rubio is not bad but I think he may have jumped the gun by a few years...but maybe he can appeal to the youth.  I saw a clip where he spoke at a college.  Most there were totally against him until he explained that the government machine is the reason uber taxis had been outlawed in that particular city.  The crowd turned and actually listened to him.  Not bad.
 
Bush is probably a very decent human being, a good leader, all that...but Trump hung that "low energy" tag around his neck and I doubt it can be shaken off.  And supporting Common Core?  From a small government guy?
 
I have liked Walker since day one.  Strong, principled guy.  But just has a dry persona.  I hope he can hang on until the field shrinks enough so his message can be heard and maybe a personality shows up.  I doubt he would change once he got to Washington.  He held his ground in the face of numerous attacks and challenges.  It worked so I think he would remain steadfast.   
 
Carly would be great at the top or as VP.  Can you image the media response if a male "hammers" Hillary during a debate?  The "war on women" message would become the rallying cry of the left.  However, Carly could/would best her on just about every category/topic. 
 
Trump is...well Trump.  He has been entertaining.  He has made the other candidates discuss things many would rather not engage.  But at the end of the day, I just do not think I want him at the helm.  We have a narcissist in the White House now and that has been just awful.
 
IMHO, any of these candidates would be exponentially better than Hillary, Sanders, Bidden or any other of those gomers. 
 
My wife, who obviously has great taste in men:), likes Rubio/Walker/Carson.  She REALLY likes Carly and suggested a Carly/Rubio ticket.  The more I think of that ticket, it would be hard to beat.

I am not, nor will I ever be, content in choosing the least sorry of several sorry choices!  My grandfather always said "you can't polish a turd".  He would also say frequently, "the more an individual stirs in shit, the more that individual stinks"!
 
If enough people demand more from our elected officials, change will actually occur.  I fully realize this will never happen in my lifetime, but I am tired of getting pissed on and having DC tell me it's raining!

Politicians in general!

None of them! 

It is okay for us, as a society, to have opposing views on policy.  It is reprehensible for us, as a society, to refuse to work together toward sensible solutions and compromise. 
 
Lack of action is a choice within itself and often has longer lasting and farther reaching ramifications than poor choices!

I own who I am, without question, irregardless of the labels others place upon me.  In terms of fiscal responsibility, I lean much further right than you may imagine given some of my other stances.  Social services initiatives are broken beyond repair.  When an unmarried couple can "cheat the system" to the tune of $75k per year, it's time for change, dramatic change.  Google that storyline.
 
The situation in Kentucky is not different.  Ms. Parker, the judge you speak of in Texas, shouldn't be allowed to continue on the bench, in my opinion.  Neither should Mr. Hamic in Alabama who refuses to issue marriage licenses in general, gay or straight.  It shouldn't be any officials responsibility, elected or appointed, to interject his or her politics, religious beliefs and or moral compass onto another person.  Those in positions such as these shouldn't use their platform to gain attention either.  A judge is there to interpret the law, as presented to them, and come to a reasonable conclusion.  We have passed the exit to reason, however, in most areas of politics.  People have become so blinded to the issues, it has become personal.  My differing views on the world offends others to the point of taking it as a personal insult. 
 
Should restaurants be allowed to refuse service based on any of these beliefs?  What if this same question was being asked in terms of racial bias?
 
Edit to add, I fully believe if your religious beliefs cause you to hate others, you are doing it wrong!  At the same time, if a flag, any flag, causes you to hate others in any way, you are doing that wrong also.  I would add, that if a flag generates a response of hatred within yourself, the issue rests solely within yourself.  It isn't the person flying the confederate flag causing you to hate.  Nobody alive today in this country was ever enslaved in bondage.  Get over it!
 
My beliefs run the gamut of the political spectrum. 

We are virtually opposites in the political spectrum (and religiously), but I have the utmost respect for how you have framed the issues and phrased the arguments.  I cannot help but agree that this problem will continue to grow, regardless of leader, unless we have a shift in attitude.  This isn't a sporting event.  We're dealing with the future of our country.  

The combined record for Narrows and Bland is 5-1. I'm looking Heavenward for seals and trumpets...

Surely not!  Most of the ref's they get are fine, upstanding citizens of Hillsville.

fb_fan24263 is correct unfortunately. It will definitely be a set back but not a game changer by any means. Still expect a great game! Let's be adults and not drag some kid through the mud for making a boneheaded mistake. We've all been there!

It has been my experience children who haven't started school are not asked to pay.  I am sure that is not the case everywhere but it has been my experience around SWVA.  
 
I am also fairly certain VHSL would frown upon any school not gouging every family for more money who are attending games across the state.

At one time, they only charged once a child started going to school. Like Ryan said though, most schools make those decisions on their own.

Several former Mountain Empire District football players are turning heads at the D1 level.  Daniel Hamm from Fort Chiswell is in line to start at TB for UVA.  Coleman Thomas from Fort Chiswell started several games at tackle last season at Tennessee and has moved back to a more natural position on the interior of the offensive line.  Steven Peoples from Galax has turned heads at Virginia Tech since arriving in January.  He is second on the depth chart at FB/H-Back and should see significant action this fall as long as he continues to respond to treatment on his shoulder.
 
Here is a nice article about Hamm.
 
http://www.roanoke.com/sports/colleges/uva/mcfarling-opportunity-knocks-for-fort-chiswell-grad-hamm/article_b42ef882-7506-57f5-99cf-0e841007e79a.html
 
The MED was the doormat of lower level high school football for two decades.  That is no longer the case!  I have to give some of the credit for this rise to the addition of Graham to the MED.  It has forced every other MED school to raise its level of play or get steamrolled. 
 
Galax has a couple of kids who are currently getting some FCS (D-1AA) attention in Caleb Spurlin, Daniel Edwards and Charles Harris.  
 
Who are some of the other SWVA kids gaining attention at the next level?  I am sure I am not alone in wanting to see some of the talent our area has to offer this fall.

Galax will be fine defensively.  They are disciplined and talented but very young.  They did just hold your #1 ranked 2A team to under 200 total yards.  Galax also has the next man up mentality after the departure of Steven Peoples and Joseph Dixon.  Charles Harris is getting FCS attention and finished with 201 yards rushing against Glenvar.
 
I expect a close, hard fought game but Radford will have an edge given Galax's youth and inexperience.