Bearcat Bob

Jethro, Jethro, Jethro...you continue to prove yourself an idiot. Mountaineer Man (10-E-C) is my brother. He likes the CMD board. I like this one. We agreed that he would stay there, I would stay here. Though we do work together and often share an office, the similarities end there. I am much better looking and smarter. He is much bigger and more athletic (although that is questionable IMHO)! I like transfers especially if we get them. Just wish we had more of them and less of you!

Legend, we get enough in-state transfers to keep baseball at/near the top. What we need are football players. UVAO...you are killing me! Was not supposed to let the cat out of the bag about the income tax thing! Dang it!

I knew someone from Gate City would have to "explain" that they only had a few TN transplants. Legend, I am not knocking Gate City for having more than a few TN kids on the roster: I only wish we could emulate your success in that area! Kudos to you for working within a system that allows such maneuvering! Never said Gate City recruits anyone. I seriously doubt that actual recruiting goes on. But I do not care if they did or do. As long as the kid goes to school and passes the requisite courses I could not care less where he plays! I would just like VHS to get with the program! If any of the parents of those THS 2nd/3rd stringers are considering relocation (wink, wink); remember that the VA sales tax is less than TN!

Granted it has been 30+ years since I played at VHS but there were no THS guys on our teams and I am unaware of any since. Gate City seems to get a bunch from Sullivan Co/Kingsport but if VHS is getting them, it is a secret to me...but I wish we could get some of those 3rd stringers...from a school that size, they might just be pretty good!

One would think that VHS football would benefit from having a few TN players crossing State Street to get more playing time. However, I am not aware of that happening with any frequency, if at all. I know there have been a few "relocations" that have benefitted the VHS baseball program (and the relocated players). But VHS football apparently remains unattractive for TN transfers.

Funny thing is that Gretna set the all time losing streak about 15 years ago (I think Page Co. may have broken that record last year?). Gretna then had a phenomenal run for about ten years. Altavista lies in close proximity to Gretna. Altavista was so bad a few years ago that they actually stopped playing VHSL football. Now they have been on a very good run. I think the athletes in the area go to which school is hot at the moment.

Gretna is still swooning from the Bearcat loss in last year's playoff! Seriously, I understand that they do not have the athletes they have had for the last 10 or so years but are still trying to play as if they do.

Congrats to the Tornadoes. Safe travels home. My Pumpkin Brigade has a ways to go on the gridiron. Keep the faith, my orange clad Brethren.

To quote one of my sons, "It's all good!"

Love or hate the Yankees, you have to respect what Derek Jeter has done in NY for 20 years. What a way to end a career -- in walk off fashion no less. For baseball fans, it just does not get any better than that.

In a nutshell. Richlands travels to VHS Friday night,...yadda, yadda, yadda...the team with the most points will win. Pretty much it.

In vino veritas -- is posted over the doorway at a local vineyard. Somehow, it seems appropriate at the end of this conversation.

It is about time... I think what is bothersome to you fellows is that I don't trash talk about VHS. Closest thing I have said is that I thought they would be BETTER this year and advance farther in the playoffs than last year. In retrospect, that was maybe my heart speaking more than my head. But who knows, they could be better this year and still have a lesser W-L record. As you know wins and losses do not necessarily correspond with a teams ability. I dare say, Gate City is probably the best 2-2 team in 2A. But I never said this would be THE year. I cannot recall but I may have said that about last year's baseball team because it should have been and was THE year. Anyway, I was dragged into this because Ryan MISQUOTED me, pure and simple. I rarely back down from a fight. I know it is a failing on my part. Poke fun at me, make fun of my team, whatever. I have very thick skin and a decent sense of humor over most things. But do not attempt to use my own words in an erroneous manner and expect no response. I harbor no ill feelings toward anyone...this is one moment, one topic that will be gone soon enough. I have actually enjoyed toying with Ryan...he is young and has potential. Nosce te ipsum!

Truthfully, it does not really matter in the grand scheme of things. I like the "Tiger" because that is what I grew up with and know the back story. You had the "V-Cat". Now it is the "Cat eyes" (which I do like). But at the end of the day, none of the logos will make a single tackle or throw a pass. I just like the history behind the "Tiger" and am a bit of a traditionalist. And while not exactly the same, it is not that uncommon for the mascot and logo to be different...Crimson Tide (Elephant)...Hokies (Turkey)...Athletics (Elephant)...just off the top of my head. The V-Cat thing was a money grabbing op by an admin which was just wrong IMHO. That is why I do not care for it in general.

Jethro, I doubt I am the first to tell you this but the VHS mascot is not the reason you look stupid.

Obviously, reading comprehension and critical thought are not part of your major. Too bad but hopefully those skills will develop with age and experience. Much like I hope VHS can develop a decent football program like they had in the late 60s, 70s and early 80s. VHS was good back then and has all the parts in place to return to at least that level. Last year's win over Gretna on the road was a good starting point. A win Friday would be another good stepping stone. But a loss would not be the end of the climb either. Program building takes time. Look at how long it has taken Richlands to get to where they are at the present. You are too young to recall the slim years but trust me, it has not always been peaches and cream for the Tornadoes. So enjoy the moment. In an attempt to extend an olive branch, I draw your attention to the quote, "The lady doth protest too much, methinks". Do not take yourself so seriously. You will be happier. Are we done now?

Two reasons Ryno. 1st, you owe me an apology. The 2nd is you said you were working on a history essay. Being magnanimous, I merely gave you a variety of historical data to help fill 15 pages. Take it for what it is worth...or don't. Also, it is a friendly admonishment to be wary with whom you pick fights. I was tempted to not respond further but what the heck. You have now caused me to wonder about the underlying sentiments of your comments. Let us explore them for a moment. Why on God's green Earth would I want to come over to your side? You playing for the "other team"? I have to tell you this; my door does not swing that way...not that there is anything wrong with that (to quote Jerry Seinfeld). It is just not for me. Sorry. :) If you are speaking of HS football (which I hope you were), I'll support my beloved Bearcats regardless of the outcome of the game. Since I have not taken a snap in many, many years, there is not much I can do about the outcome of the game. I just enjoy supporting VHS. So please, stay on "your side". Anyway, have a good trip to our fair city. I just hope the trip home is bit longer (but safe nonetheless). Are we done?

This must be Ryan's lucky week. I am going to provide a little more free history since Jethro is still in the dark... From 1914-1939, VHS had no mascot. They were known as the "Fightin' Virginians". The school colors were established as Orange and Black because those were unique in the area at the time. The administration felt it unnecessary to select a mascot given the state of world affairs at the time. At the beginning of the 1939 school year, the new principal felt a mascot was necessary. Thought it might assist in building community support. He ordered a contest be held to select a mascot. The student body was evenly divided between "Bearcat" and "Tigers". To decide the very close vote, a compromise was reached: The image would be that of a Bengal Tiger while the mascot name would be Bearcat. Few folks at that time had ever seen an image of a Bearcat so the logo was not really questioned by the community. It became an inside joke that the mascot image was not in synch with the name. The image officially appeared in 1940 as did the name "Bearcat". In the late 1940's, a new administrator attempted to correct the mismatched mascot and logo. He was roundly rebuked. He wanted to replace the Tiger image with the image of a war aircraft known as the Bearcat. He also attempted to change the name to Bristol High School. The man obviously had no sense of humor and lasted only a short period. Recently deceased US Senator George Warren is widely accredited with the original submission of "Bearcat". He was a student/cheerleader at VHS during 1939. I like the "inside joke" and hope the Bearcat image lasts a few more generations anyway!

I m not familiar with a "V-Cat". Is it a hybrid creature from deep within some recently discovered land? You whippersnappers crack me up with your newfangled ideas!

Raven my man, I never left and I never go backwards. Onward and upward I say! And now as I exit this stage, I leave you with my interpretation of one of the great all-time quotes. It is historical so maybe Ryan can work it into that 15 page essay: "And so, lifting as we climb (the VHSL standings), onward and upward we go (to Euclid Avenue that is), struggling and striving (struggling to get over that THS spanking and striving for a modicum of dignity v. R-lands), and hoping that the buds and blossoms of our desires will burst into glorious fruition ere long (with TDs Friday night). With courage, born of success achieved in the past (at least on the Diamond), with a keen sense of the responsibility which we shall continue to assume (should we ever beat R-lands again), we look forward to a future large with promise and hope (that we can keep a coach longer than 2 seasons). Seeking no favors because of our color (Orange and Black), nor patronage because of our needs (district wins), we knock at the bar of justice (wanting to replay the last minute from our last meeting), asking for an equal chance (just use legal spikes)." 'Til next time!

I think that after last year's playoff game, both teams should be focused on the task at hand.

I hope it is with a retraction of the misquote. Moderator, administrator or regular Joe...you should not call out someone based on an untrue statement ;).

At my size, I am not concerned with punters. You should apologize for MISQUOTING me. If you say something that I did not say, then it is a misquote. Unless you are in the current administration in Washington that is. You ARE wrong because I NEVER said that this would be THE year. Maybe somebody laid the boomstick on you a few too many times causing you to be addled. In that case, your transgressions are forgiven. But, since UVAO chose not to point out your suspect use of the English language, I will not educate you on the meaning of the word "weather"....but you might want to look up "whether" sometime. I am not sure why you seem to think VHS fans are hiding some deep feeling about the departure of an assistant coach. Assistants come and go. BFD IMHO. The HC is the biggest asset (or hindrance)..besides the players that is. No one person was the key to VHS' success last year or any year. Solid programs reload every year. I have yet to see a coach make a tackle or throw a pass. Although I did see UVA's Joe Geek try to trip a VT defender after an INT a few years ago. And much to my chagrin, there are VERY few VHS posters on this site. I hope that changes. Of those on here, I have yet to read any comments making excuses for loses or gloating on wins. Maybe I missed those...care to point them out? You have not read comments on here made by me predicting VHS wins. Nor do I hide when they lose. I only support my beloved Bearcats and hope they build a strong program. I am a realist and I think my comments on the state of affairs in Bristol bear that out. Sorry if you take umbrage to my support of the Pumpkin Brigade. I support VHS through thick and thin. It has been thin in football for a while now. But there is light at the end of the tunnel for the Bearcats...(and before one of you geniuses say it, it is not a train or Tornado or Falcon or Trojan, blah, blah, blah on the other end of the tunnel).

I must admit, I am disappointed that a certain fan of Colt kickers has failed to extend an apology, or retraction, for misquoting me. Especially since the quote he referenced is in his signature line! I dare say that he will be "loud and proud" should Richlands upend my beloved Bearcats this week. Tsk, Tsk, Tsk.... Side Bar: Upon arrival in Bristol, the new VHS staff implemented the groundwork necessary for the establishment of a solid program. Change takes time and perseverance. Patience is a virtue my Bearcat Brethren!

Work and more importantly, building a new house have taken the lion's share of my time of late. I am flattered that you boys noticed my limited appearances this season. Besides that, there have been few topics of interest to me on this board so far. But since I have been "called out"...here is my take on the situation at hand. First: I did say, and absolutely meant, that I felt VHS would be BETTER this year. So far, it appears that I may have been incorrect in that prognostication. But the season is far from over and the Bearcats have opportunities to keep building and improving. BBBUUTT...I never said this would be THE year. Huge difference there. Second: VHS has improved top to bottom. Are they a top tier program? Nope but they can be. I believe that some time in the near future they will become similar to James Monroe in Fredericksburg. A lot of similarities there: Good coaches, bunches of athletes and great facilities. Third: For some unknown reason, football in Bristol has not had great community support since the days of Darryl Wilson, Milton Franklin and probably Oakley Clay. Not sure why this is the case but I suspect that after a few decent seasons, the support will be back and the fair weather fans will morph into true fans. Don't take this as a knock but I recall playing in Richlands and having pretty much equal fan support. That has obviously changed in R-town. I know it will happen in Bristol as well. Fourth: I hope the game is a good one; I hope that there are no injuries to either side; I hope all the R-lands folks have a safe trip to and from Bristol; I hope VHS can use this game as a momentum builder for the rest of the season.