Motorhead 5150

Just wanted to say good luck to Richlands tomorrow. The entire Spartan nation is behind you guys tomorrow. Would love to be able to head up I-81 tomorrow but other things need  to be done tomorrow. But no doubt if you guys are in Salem next week I will be there to root on my 2nd favorite team as will a bunch of other Spartans,
 
Good luck to the other teams as well but I really want to see a Richlands-Appomattox match up next Saturday. And safe travels to all team that have to hit the road tomorrow...and hopefully no injuries to any of these players that put it all on the line all week in practice and on Friday(and now Saturdays) so we can go out and enjoy some good high school football every week

When I played for Tazewell, we never practiced on the game field until towards the end of the season. Some of the assistant coaches used to do a great job of fertilizing, watering, and mowing the field. I think the boosters used to help paint the end zones on Thursday evenings.

To me Allen had two problems that hurt the program.  One was discipline for sure.  Two years ago he had a fairly talented group of kids and he allowed them to run the show.  I believe they ended that season .500 and had the talent to be better than that.  Secondly, I don't think he accepted any input from his assistant coaches at all.  From what I understand Williams was like that at Graham.  When you're an outsider and come into a program that you know absolutely nothing about the kids humbling yourself just a little bit will go a long ways with the staff.  Right now Tazewell is going to put all their eggs in one basket with the upcoming middle school team.  When that team doesn't play in the state championship like the almighty '86 team they'll be looking for another coach.  I would like to see those kids get a taste of success but I don't see the administration, parents, or community having enough patience to allow it to happen.

I miss the days watching games as a kid and how much bigger everything looked from the stadium to the players. There was nothing like wearing that blue and white jersey to elementary school, going home and throw the football around and play in the yard like your facing whoever the Devils are playing that night, then your papaw coming by to pick you up, swinging by Pals to get a couple of hotdogs to share, then buy some peanuts and a program while you're waiting on the gates to open, then when Big Blue took the field the fans would form a tunnel from the gate to the fieldhouse. (Man those train horns seemed really loud back then). There was nothing like getting a "High Five" from the heros of Friday as a kid. Everything was so much more simple back then, when the only thing in the world that mattered was Friday night lights.
 
I grew up a pretty diehard Gate City fan, as a player I wore my heart on my sleeve because the colors and name on my chest meant so much to me. I felt like I had a legacy to hold up. I didn't want to let the ones who came before me down. I think a lot of that mentality is gone now days. There's still some out there. I have some family who still wears the blue and white, though they're not as emotional as I was, I still know they care and I know they don't want let the program down. It just seems like things have changed just the little while I have been away from the sport. Kids are just different now days. But I still wear my heart on my sleeve when it comes to Gate City, I just never grew out of it. No shame.

I've heard that Tazewell treats the broadcasters well. My brother was in college when we played Martinsville on our way to the state title that year. He knew a guy at school whose dad worked the FB games for the Martinsville radio station. He said he never saw as much food in a press box. 

ABINGDON 45
LEBANON 0
 
FINAL

I went to this game as a mutual observer and would just like to post what I thought about it. This is opinion based, so do not get defensive.
 
Graham
Got up 3 tds and started playing to not lose instead of playing to win. Seems like the play calling even changed after going up 21 points. Talent and speed on the offensive side, however their O-line struggled all night. Richlands D-Line was in the backfield as soon as the ball was snapped. Cousins is a stud, but needs to learn to run north and south. Dancing around from side to side will only work on a weak defense. QB has a solid arm, but just did not have enough time to scan the field, Graham receivers were open all night. Defense was solid for the first quarter but got too relaxed. Secondary needs some help, they got speed but Richlands had them looking lost for most of the game. They also need to play more disciplined. I see them finishing 7-3, and being a force in the playoffs.
 
Richlands
One of the few teams I've watched that know that no matter what the score, they're still in the game to win. Made some great adjustments and took the momentum from Graham.
Offensively, they know how to pick a defense apart, but they need to establish a run game. JLA should not have to be the leading rusher. Kid has a good vision and runs hard, but all it takes is one good lick to end it all for him. I would utilize #5 more. Codie Howie is like lightening, if he gets one step on you then you won't catch him. I would like to see more slant routes from him instead of the bubble screen and going deep. Great play calling by the coaching staff, but #80 needs more balls thrown to him.
Defensively the Blues are stout. They done a great job not letting Cousins get on the outside of them. I like how they bend but don't break. They are not at the level that I think they were last season, but that'll change as they get deeper into the season. I see them winning out and battleing for the #1 seed with Appomattox.
 
Again this is just my opinion. 2 good teams that may meet up again. I'll be watching Graham again in 2 weeks at Spartan Stadium.

Both will be there! 
WGTH.net or 97.7.

Thanks fellas, same respect for you all coming from Big Stone Gap

Really happy for the way you guys have played this year in the playoffs !  I hope you guys can keep it up and I'll be pulling you guys.......your doing SWVA proud !
You beat Northside,  so you can beat LB !

We went to a camp at UT when I was in school(not the whole team but 12-15 of us. In bed by 10-10:30, up by 6:30-7 and handled business. Its on the coaching staff and the players. If they arent man enough to do what is needed to win then they dont deserve to win.
 
I would play on Saturday, playoff games = Saturday

Crazy game. Gutsy call to go for 2 after Rustburg went for the PAT after they scored in OT. Abingdon seems to find a way to lose these type games. It was nice to be on the receiving end of a gift. The boys played their hearts out and win or lose they were leaving it all on the field, as they should. They stopped Rustburg on their final drive on 4th down to get the ball back at about their own 40-45. They measured it and had to be super super close. I thought, from my angle, Rustburg had made the first. AHS gets the ball with about 2 mins left and no timeouts left. AHS gets 30 yds for free off of two personal fouls. The scored to bring the score to 27-25. They convert the 2 point play on a quick slant.....which I thought was there all night but they didn't throw it until then. OT and Rustburg scores on 3rd or 4th, can't remember. AHS scores in their second play. Calls timeout and discusses PAT of try for 2. They decide to go for the win. Wallace, who caught the previous 2 pt conversion on that slant, lines up alone on the left. He fakes a slant ( I think) and then kicks out and as usual, Sturgill was money. It was a FAN.TAS.TIC game for AHS. I heard a woman say that we didn't deserve to win that game. I hate that kind of talk. They absolutely deserved to win, no matter how they won. The 2 PF penalties were huge but both were legitimate. That's part of the game. Did it help? You bet it did. But we helped them A TON with about 5-6 encroachment calls at very inopportune times. Part of the game. Deserve to win??? You bet your ass they deserved the win. They didn't quit. They didn't concede. They gave their all. Yeah, I'd say they deserved it. Congrats to those boys. Tough matchup next week, but win or lose, these boys have already done something that hadn't happened it 19 years....win a playoff game. Congrats to them. Congrats to Rustburg for a great game. It's tough to lose and then have to travel a few hours to get home. Trust me, I know. Congrats to all the winners tonight!

Sound like us last year at GC for the playoffs? ;)

The horn at Giles couldn't touch the old Cannonball we used to have. You could hear that thing coming through Moccasin Gap while you were sitting in the stadium. I don't understand the "no noisemaker" BS. You're at a sporting event where the object as a fan is to make noise. I do know for a fact though, that Salem Stadium won't allow cowbells and airhorns in during the state championship games. However we did have a "rebel" sneak in with one and thankfully it was used well at the end of the game.

Conferences are gone. Districts and Regions are back............starting in 2017.
 
It is my understanding that the ADs have been given the opportunity to come up with their own districts, and submit these ideas to the VHSL in December for approval. 

The difference in this game will come down to special teams or which coaching staff can out smart the other with something not expected. Both teams are good and both teams have great strengths and some weaknesses. Both teams will leave it all on the field because they both have something(bragging rights) to fight for. Ahs a win over Rhs and SWD Champs. Rhs beating Ahs giving them their first loss and becoming SWD Champs again.
 
I respect both teams and the coaching staffs. I believe it will be the best game of the year and may the best team win.

http://www.wvva.com/story/30244763/2015/10/12/parents-and-players-express-opinions-on-head-coach-at-tazewell-co-board-of-education-meeting
 
I'm flabbergasted.
 
Whining to the school board, at a public hearing, because your little Johnny isn't getting the playing time you think he deserves? Crying because you're ignorant about the game of football and can't see how a 20-point game is not out of reach in the 4th quarter?
 
I know this is WVVA, so take it with a block of salt. I do not know about what details of the coach's "personal life" are, but considering the school board didn't terminate him, it seems petty and slight.
 
Look, Tazewell, I want to want good things for your football team. Your kids deserve it. Your embattled coach deserves it. Many of your rational fans deserve it. But if people in your community whine and moan to this level, and are so brazen to put their names behind it...it makes me question whether or not Tazewell has what it takes to warrant a good football team.
 
You lost to Richlands...again...and part of that is the parent-sanctioned playing musical chairs with the coaching staff. Build a bridge and get over it. Give the man a chance to build something. For one of the few times since my youth, your team isn't horrible. In fact, even the kids are buying in, which has been a huge problem in the past.
 
/Rant.

I agree.  I have ZERO idea how good Christiansburg is, how big they are, how fast they are....but I do know that AHS must beat a 3A team to get some cred.  They did beat up on Volunteer (Tenn) the last couple of years which is at least a 3A team, but that's not saying a lot.  I just have no idea how AHS compares to C'Burg.  If AHS loses does that mean AHS is bad...no, because we don't know how C'Burg compares to the rest of the 3A teams...they might seriously be state title contenders, we don't know.  I'm anxious to see how it goes.  I know Reed will have them ready...that's a pretty good drive up there and after the 5 hour drive to Broadway last year I know he will have them prepared from the start for this game...not just 2nd half.

Congratulations Union!
 
I did not think that many points would be scored. It hurts to lose but you guys have a great team and I hope we meet again this year. I want get into the finger pointing it just demishes the great game we saw.
 
Talked with many Union fans and not one was rude. Everybody was great!
Good luck the rest of the season.......until we meet again.
 
Its just amazing 5 games can be decided by a GRAND total of 12 points. WOW!!!!

I am still hurting from the Hornet sting I guess....lol
 
Great game! Wilsons defense surprised me and I know that they had only given up 5 TD"s all year but I really thought that if River had time to throw that they could not cover all of our receivers. They did for the most part and that surprised me. I really thought that after we got late into the game they would wear down because they had blown most people out and that with our physical play and having to battle until the end in several games this year we would take it to them and win. They did not wear down at all. They were very athletic all over the field and not as physical as Gate City but they were physical.
 
River for the most part had plenty of time to throw the ball but it had to be short hard thrown balls and that worked very effectively the whole game. When we tried to throw the ball down the seam or try a fly pattern they were just to fast to jump our receivers and we couldn't manage that. So blaming River for all the interceptions is not fair. Sometimes you just have to shake your head and say great play by the opponent. They were just more athletic than we were in many areas. That being said we had plenty of opportunities to win this game and just couldn't pull it out. Even with 5 TURNOVERS we had a chance to win. That is pretty amazing considering their defense.
 
Our defense was just as impressive as they were. They were definitely sore this morning and now know that FOOTBALL in the "Good Ole SWVA" is very smash mouth and physical. I know we earned there respect because many and I mean many of there fans talked to us before and after the game with nothing but respect. It has been mentioned in many areas that Wilson is hated and very arrogant people. My experience was nothing of the sort. Of course there were some idiots on there side that I had to ignore and there AD was not the best people person I have ever met but the overwhelming majority of the Wilson folks were just great and showed good sportsmanship. There football players also showed good sportsmanship in which I did not expect.
 
I want to say thanks to all of the members on this board for all the kind posts you made towards Richlands this season. I HATE to lose and despise the agony of defeat.....It hurts!!!!!! We had so many great games this year and in many instances during the season it wasn't clear that there was an overwhelming favorite unless it would have been Honaker in 1A and Gate City in 2A. There was some great football and I enjoyed all the games and all the "verbal  jousting" with you guys. We love our football and that's why we spend the time we do on here doing this. Cant wait for next year all ready and our Richlands boys will be back after it in the Fieldhouse working very hard for next year on Monday.
 
Congratulations to Honaker, Haysi and Richlands for there State Semis run. I wish so bad that it could have been different for all three. I know Haysi and Richlands raised some eyebrows and earned respect from how many fans traveled a good distance to support there team. No matter what they say don't believe that we just had about the same number of fans that Wilson had. It wasn't even close because we outnumbered them at least two to one.....just amazing! Big cudos to Tigers gang and all the Haysi fans that made that ridiculous trip to Essex.....that speaks for itself!
 
Thanks LANCE and GMan for providing this outlet for us all......I really appreciate all you guys do. To all the members here and good friends I have made....I hope you all have a Merry CHRISTMAS and a great New Year !

Respect for all three teams left. I hope we have all three advancing to state next week. Good luck boys!

Just wanted to wish the folks from Haysi and Richlands safe travels today and good luck to you and Honaker tomorrow. This ole Blue Devil will be pullin hard for you all this weekend. Best of luck!

Best of luck to SWVA and safe travels for all involved.  I think we would all love to see Richlands, Honaker and Haysi move on.

I've heard everything from it's in a museum somewhere to someone stole it. I'm not sure if anyone knows where it is. I can remember hearing it in Weber City (Moccasin Gap) on the way to the ball games and it always had me fired up as a youngster. I sure miss it.

I went to the Richlands vs. Gate City game today and I just want to say GC has some of the classiest fans around. Immediately after the game they were congratulating the Richlands fans and telling them "Good Luck next week" and patting them on the back. I even got well wishes for next week and I was just an interested fan for today's game. I have never seen such a classy display after a loss.