Bearcat Bob

Other than football and women's basketball, UVA has some of the top coaches in the land. UVA won the Captial One Cup last year for having the top overall sports program in college...and that without a football program of which to speak! UVA does just everything they can to screw over their "non elite" fans. They take long time season ticket holders seats and give them to the big VSAF donors who rarely attend games. A couple of years ago, UVA added a tariff on season baseball holders tickets as well. Same with men's basketball. The "regular" fans have been, or are being" squeezed out in favor of the deep pockets who wear khakis, button down shirts and striped ties to the games (when they come), and look down on the fans who are loud and vocal. I earned my graduate degree from UVA but it is becoming harder and harder to support the VSAF...

I recall that they had sets of smaller bleachers on either side of the main visitor bleachers. Maybe they move them to the baseball field in the off season? I do not have a dog in this fight but I think I am going to be a Clarke fan for this one...Union fans are starting to sound a lot like Richlunds or maybe Gate City!

Yes, they have plenty of bleachers. The home side is definitely larger but there is adequate seating on the visitor side. As I recall, it was a very decent venue. Their track is around the field and the visitor bleachers are fairly far from the field.

I have been to Clarke's stadium. It is pretty large with very nice turf. I would compare it favorably with VHS' stadium. I think some of you are looking at the old high school. They built a new high school a few years ago. However, their field is adjacent to the middle school. No need to bring a lawn chair! I saw Clarke by accident earlier this year...long story there. They played William Monroe at Albemarle High School. Clarke is strong. They might be one of the physically strongest teams I have seen in high school. Even their coaches are jacked. I would call them arrogant to the point of being cocky. Lots of silly dead ball fouls for really stupid things like shoving after the whistle, trash talking, etc. This was mostly done by the defense. Looked to me as if they were trying to be intimidating by these actions. Their defense is very physical. They threw the ball the night I saw them but running is definitely their strong suit. They basically overload one side and run right at the defense trying to have more bodies than does the defense. I guess what they run is a version of the single wing. But it looked like a spread option at times. I struck up conversation with one of the parents. He did not think much of the head coach; and his son was a starter. This gentleman said that the HC called the offense and was "down right pathetic". He pointed out that Clarke had not beaten a disciplined team with decent talent in the 3 years his son was on the varsity squad. He said that when they meet a team that can stop the run, the Clarke party will be over. So there is what I know. I can add that their district, the Bull Run, is WAY down. But I would not take any team that strong, or in the semis, lightly. P.S.: Winchester is fairly close by but so is Front Royal. IMHO, Front Royal is the better option because of its proximity to the interstate and the traffic is much less than Winchester. Probably about 20 minutes from Berryville.

Why is "rod" here?

The Syrian refugee from another site is trying hard to get his nose under the tent...time to send in the Amish Mafia crew?

SEC West? Lane Kiffin leaving 'Bama?

Virginia wins this one, London is given a 25 year extension, and the stadium is renamed after him...at least that is the nightmare I have had for about 3 weeks now.

Alright...I finally have figured out all the signs and hints; all the misdirection and guises. The new VT coach is....Jake Houseright!

Thought you might like that...

Here is the real "skinny"... ODU's Bobby Wilder is house hunting in Charlottesville and Blacksburg... Bud Foster bought stock in Hawaiian Tropic sunscreen (it is sunny in Miami...and SC for that matter.

Aha! Mike London is going to VT next year! At least VT will be able to recruit in state again with him!

Mack Brown?

IIWIS...

For what it is worth: A big customer of ours came into the office today and said that Foster is likely going to Miami. He is one of VT's major contributors and is supposed to be in the "know".

I saw Rogers show up at a little soiree at E&H in a full length mink coat way back in the day. At least I recall it being him...memory is not what it used to be. I played against Rogers. He was a very good high school RB from my recollection. But the old SWD had several very good RBs back then...Oakley Clay, Chris Wright, Eddie Hall are the ones I remember the most. Seemed that just about every school in the district had a stud RB.

I very seldom get anxious over HS sports. But...seems that every time VHS plays Lee with something on the line, Lee comes out on top. I have that unpleasant feeling again this week. I hope Crist can get VHS over this hurdle and into the playoffs. On a side note...a couple of years ago, I felt that VHS made a huge leap in 2A football. We went on the road and beat Gretna and honestly did everything but beat Richlands the next week. But there has not been that "step up to the next level" season following those games. I hope it happens soon or the natives will get restless and VHS will be looking for their next coach. If history is any indicator that is.

About the only advantage of districts is having teams to play. Some teams would have a hard time scheduling a full schedule if not for districts. A few years ago Gretna had to play Dan River twice each season because they could find no takers to fill their schedule.

There are advantages to an extra year...but I realize it is not for everybody. Real life starts soon enough for these kids; that extra year at home may be hugely important...especially if you have a large yard to mow!

I do not think we need SOLs or any other government enforced educational system anyway. It is a personal decision; one that should be made by the child's parents and the child. I find it hard to argue that being a 17 year old senior has advantages, athletically, academically or socially over an 18 year old senior (or a 19 year old).

Mr. P, I have no enemies...with the exception of time, taxes and an ever expanding waistline. But that was caused by my marriage to a fabulously good cook, so that is her fault. So maybe she is my enemy? But no one on this board is my enemy.

Offense -- score points Defense -- stop offense Is it unsportsmanlike if my defense is shutting out your offense? Should the defense just let you score to keep from "running it up"? Not much difference IMHO.

I have never understood the consternation caused by transfers and holdbacks. As long as it is done within the rules, either shut up or join 'em. Loudoun County figured it out. The kids in that county can attend any school within the county boundaries...and there are a lot of schools in that boundary.

Abingdon would compete in the 3A post season, or whatever classification they would be in at the time, as would the rest of the teams in the district...or so it would seem.

I would not over look Goochland. They always seem to put it all together come playoff time. And King William is very talented. KW is the kind of team that can give most teams fits...they are very fast and athletic but have more size than usual.