honestjohn

For a little background information on Tazewell.  I actually took the Midget League over in 2007.  The league voted to run criminal background checks on all coaches in all locations.  Twin Valley and Honaker had no problem and was in agreement.  The task of this fell on the President at the time, me.  The "leaders" from Tazewell basically told us to shove off and thought they would be allowed to run their own background checks, which led to them breaking off to do their own thing. 
 
In my opinion, that put a hole in the boat that sunk the ship.  Coach Allen was given the Captaincy to a ship that was already under water. Those select few from Tazewell put their own agenda before what was best for their kids and their program.  We all know what the result has been.  This is not second hand information, it is straight from the horse's mouth.  I still have the letter they sent that basically said screw you.   The teams that stayed have enjoyed a measured amount of consistently upward success.  The last couple of years, Twin Valley has came on hard and it is no coincidence that Honaker is a perennial playoff team.  I was still in the league to usher both Hurley and Grundy in.  I have a great deal of pride and satisfaction in being able to say that.  Lebanon will see an upswing in a couple of years.  I was able to oversee all of this without actually having a son or daughter playing in the league.  About a year after my son was born, I turned the reigns over to Anthony Cox.  If the day comes that my son wants to play and I become involved again, and Tazewell is not in the league, the first person I will seek an audience with is Shane Allen.  I really feel that he is a good man with a daunting task.  Both Tazewell and Graham need in the League and I have a feeling that they soon will be.
 
I may seem to most on here to be the "anti-Richlands" Richlands fan.  The truth is that I am  the most misunderstood.  I have spent countless hours and some of my own dimes in that League, along with a little blood, alot of sweat and a fair amount of tears.  I love that league and the great young men that it has produced; be them Raiders, Cowboys, Devils, Tide, Tigers, Jets, Bengals, Panthers, Rising Waves or Rebels.  Hero to some and villain to others.  I always tried to do the right thing and be honest with people.  That means no agendas and doing right for all.  It is more important to me to be a man and establish character, than it is to be politically correct or to be socially accepted.

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

Dixon should have been Coach of the Year. Some teams got snubbed and some I think the Water Boy made honorable mention.

Dixon should have been Coach of the Year. Some teams got snubbed and some I think the Water Boy made honorable mention.

Its has been a long time since Hurley and Honaker have been evenly matched. And if you want to go back at least 4 years I bet you 97% of the games Honaker has played in they are the least penalized team in that game they just don't hurt there selves so don't pull that crap.

All I care about is Volleyball lol

I think JI Burton will win by at least 3 Td's

Are they the only teams making it to the playoffs?

There were grumblings of a possible mass exodus of young players early in the season. Over reaction to 2 close losses and 2 losses to VERY good teams coupled with stagnant play calling on offense. Those rumors have died down as of late with the teams success. The kid transferred to Grundy for whatever reason; maybe Grundy is closer for him than Rv(very possible), he went because he thought Grundy was/is/going to be better. Idk anything about him other than hes a freshmen that went to school in Haysi for his whole life then jumped to Grundy. Does something like that make the game more personal for the players, you bet your bottom dollar it does. Are any fans worried about it, I doubt it. I know im not.
 
Instant gratification is a big part of kids transferring but imo a larger issue is lack of loyalty, devotion and the inner strength to overcome adversity. None of this is directed at the young man who transferred but is an issue for society overall. "im not happy. im out"

Here is my opinion:
 
I don't consider this years Graham team to be necessarily weak. The schedule they have faced is nothing short of brutal it's one of the hardest I have ever seen. Lets also remember that Graham is a very small 2A team probably the or one of the smallest in the state. Yet they play the likes of Bluefield, Richlands, Abingdon etc... All teams with higher enrollment. Like I said this is just my opinion but if Graham keeps Grundy on the schedule and doesn't pick up Abingdon they are sitting at 3-4 right now. I feel as if Graham has been overlooked or whatever you want to call it because of the 2-5 record. Honestly they have been in or had a chance to win every game this season except for Richlands, I will also add that I believe Richlands will compete for a state championship. Lets take a step back and look at the improvement that have been made in just one short year.
2014 Bluefield-76 / Graham-48   2015 Bluefield-28 / Graham-21 2014 Tazewell-45 / Graham-21  2015 Tazewell-14 / Graham-42 2014 Grayson-38 / Graham-27   2015 Grayson-14 / Graham-59 2014 Galax-50 / Graham-13       2015 Galax-41 / Graham- 33 These were just a few examples I could think of right off hand, not to mention scoring 47 on undefeated 3-A Abingdon and losing by 10. My point is, Graham has lost and they are 2-5 but they have lost to quality opponents. I'm not one for having sympathy on a loss but at least they aren't getting blown out and have been in almost every game, improvements have been made. As for Bland what a story, I have nothing but respect for the men across the tunnel and what a coaching job by Heart, nothing short of amazing. I just hope Graham comes in focused and takes this team seriously because they will be ready to play. Also while I'm on my rant here if you are a Graham fan and get on here or go out in public and down this team/coaching staff them shame on you. They aren't the 1989 team we all know that but have some pride about your home town team. One of my biggest honors is when someone asks me where I'm from and did I play football? I love replying back with yes I did under "Glynn Carlock" at Graham High School. Sorry for the sappy rant just tired of all the negativity but truth be known the people that say stuff never played ball and don't know what its like to play under the lights.

All Honaker but Grundy wont lay down.
 
Hurley will make a game of it

Seriously!