sportsfan

This is all very interesting debate, especially how the sandlot level of play filters to the high school level.  
 
The year before Mark Dixon took over as the head coach at Galax, he convinced the recreation department to convert all football to what he grew up playing in Reidsville, NC.  They started an 8 man football league to get more kids playing significant time.  The fifth "8-man" season just ended a week ago and Galax had 106 players competing in two "age specific" divisions.  By having 8 players, more kids get significant playing time.  This year, the varsity team members are all products of the first season or two of "8-man" and Galax has more kids staying with football after sandlot is over.  
 
I wasn't sure about it when it was first discussed, but I am a huge proponent now.  Before 8-man, Galax would field two teams of 20-25 kids.  Fast forward 5 years and they are fielding 10 teams of 11 or so kids.  The ceiling is enormous for what can be done with this model.  We are currently looking into different ways to have a regular season, playoff and super bowl for next season.  
 
In years past, Galax played in a league that consisted of Carroll and Grayson Counties.  The Galax kids would travel regularly to the opposite end of a county only to find no team to play.  A schedule of 10-12 games would routinely produce 6-8 actual games.  Something had to be done and I am very excited about the results of our decision.  Carroll and Grayson are now begging us to allow them into our 8-man league.
 
Football looks bright for the foreseeable future in Galax.

I think he would be a natural fit for Foster's rover position.  He is the hardest working, least selfish superstar I have ever seen.  Given the kid's upbringing, he and his three brothers are the pride of this community.  The community has essentially raised them!

The Giles game is what grabbed the attention of Bud Foster.  He had 19 tackles, 4 for loss.  Any tackle for loss against that disciplines offensive scheme is impressive.  

Steven Peoples hudl page is fairly impressive for those who haven't seen him play.
 
http://www.hudl.com/athlete/1805816

Another take on the facts provided by those above and by Phil Robbins is that SWVA is actually "Over achieving" with less.  Phil said, "Now we have smaller and slower kids that never would have played varsity 13 years ago," and that statement provides a basis for my over achieving suggestion. The only thing Phil Robbins left out in his description of the kids of today is that their dumber and uglier (insert tonuge in cheek).  I understand the dwindling population theory and I can buy this premise.  His comparison of the physical attributes reminds me of when grandpa used to say we had to walk five miles to school in two foot of snow barefooted...we were tough back in the day...you young folks are soft.  Moreover, it's human nature to remember the past and assign more importance to those times (at times this is reality).  I'll bet in 20 years we'll find a similar article with some old ball coach espousing the same stuff...save this article and pull it out as it's template.  

By early afternoon today, I had spoken to three very good friends that are die-hard Pioneer fans. All three attended last night's game and all stated that they had been waiting to hear from me. I specifically asked each one about the liklihood of a couple of questionable calls bt the refs. Neither one complained or commented on any aspect of the officiating being sided one way or the other. All stated that Fort made several uncharacteristic mental mistakes which resulted in penalties. All defined last night's demise of the Pioneers with one word ... turnovers! This came directly from the horses ... I mean, Pioneer's mouth!

As a neutral observer to the game last night, I do root for the Fort, but my heart lies deep in southwest Virginia in Lee county...and no not Lee high....lol.  From my observation, the coach that some of you criticized before this game prepared this team for THIS game and knew exactly what it would take to win the game.   It was very evident on the field from the first play from scrimmage.  He had his players buy into the old style of punch them hard in the face 3 or 4 times from the start and the rest will take care of itself.   G-men came out swinging hard and caught the Fort sitting back on their heels thinking this was going to be another cake walk like most of their games have been all year.  This is not just something that happens, there had to have been some hard coaching for a team to come out with that attitude and execute it to perfection like it was done last night.
G-men played with ALOT of heart and determination.   They were playing to win and the fort came into the game playing not to lose......I do have to say this, the umpires IMO did help graham deliver a couple of those punches in the face....but it is what it is.....there has NEVER been a hs football game called perfect and never will be....lol
Now for the future...for Graham, if they can take this attitude they had last night into every game from hear on out, there can be a lot of positives in the future.   For the Fort...I hope they learned a valuable lesson last night....you have to be ready for anything to stay on the run that they are on...I am glad they have the opportunity to learn that lesson now instead of 2 or 3 weeks from now in the playoffs...because it would be a much harder lesson to learn then instead of now.  With the stellar job that Coach James has done with the Fort, maybe he learned a valuable lesson last night about preparation that will be vital in the upcoming weeks...

Might consider the Glenvar game was first game of season (not taking anything away from Glenvar).  Sixcat could verify, but I think Galax might of had some player(s) out that game.

Steven Peoples will be an invited recruit of the Hokies at tomorrows game against Duke.  This kid deserves an opportunity to play D1 football.  

Blueinbama,
 
I think Trevor Matich did a nice job on the Paul Finebaum show on analysis of Alabama's offensive line. Paul Finebaum 9/3 hour 3 show around 12:30 minutes into show.   http://espn.go.com/espnradio/play?id=9631471