Great football tradition comes to an end tonight

[beaverbaseball 10]

http://www.bdtonline.com/localsports/local_story_309233616.html

 

Big Creek to play 757th and final game

 

By GARY DOVE

Bluefield Daily Telegraph

 

WAR — Since the birth of Big Creek High School in the fall of 1931, the Owl football games were the only games in town on the weekend.

 

Tonight, the lights will go out on a long-standing tradition that has seen 756 Big Creek football games prior to tonight’s curtain call against Meadow Bridge.

 

Next August, this year’s underclassmen football players from Big Creek will join with the underclassmen from Iaeger High School to form the first edition of the River View Raiders in a new high school in Bradshaw.

 

Prior to looking forward , the illustrious football history at Big Creek warrants several moments of reflection over the last 78 seasons.

 

Hugh “Tubby†Law got the Owls off to a flying start, guiding Big Creek to a 6-3-1 record in the inaugural season in 1931. The following three campaigns, Law coached his charges to a 29-1-1 mark, including unbeaten seasons in 1932 (9-0) and ‘34 (11-0).

 

The Owls went through some changes over the next 13 years, under five different head coaches before the legendary Merrill Gainer became the head mentor in the fall of 1948.

 

It took Gainer a year to lay the groundwork, but after going 4-5-1 that initial year, Big Creek would go 75-11-3 over the next nine seasons under Gainer’s tutelage.

 

The Owls finished 9-0 in 1955 and 10-0 in ‘57.

 

When Big Creek wasn’t included in the playoff picture (only the top two teams in each class went to the playoffs in that era) some boosters filed an injunction to stop the playoff because of the two teams to play for the title had lost a game, while the other, like the Owls, was unbeaten.

 

The injunction failed, the championship game was played without Big Creek, and the Secondary Schools Activities Commission suspended the Owls from playing athletics in the 1958-59 school year.

 

Although allowed to practice, Big Creek could play no games. That year of suspension was Gainer’s final one at War, as he moved to Bluefield High School in 1959 and guided the Beavers to the Class AAA crown in this first season there.

 

Carl Mams succeeded Gainer, guiding Big Creek to 30 wins over the five seasons he was there.

 

Richwood native Joel Hicks, right out of West Virginia University, was hired for the 1964 season and continued the success, leading the Owls to 33 wins over his five seasons, including back-to-back 9-1 records in ‘66 and ‘67.

 

Big Creek alum Mario Poletti coached from 1969-84, winning 100 games in the process and taking Big Creek to their first state playoff berth in 1976, when the Owls finished as Class AA state runner-up to Ravenswood.

 

Poletti also guided his clubs to postseason action in ‘79, ‘80 and ‘84.

 

Drexel “Bear†Adkins, Jr., who had played for Poletti in the early ‘70s, became head coach in ‘91, and Poletti came out of coaching retirement to assist his former player.

 

Adkins led the Owls to four consecutive playoff appearances, finishing as Class A runner-up in the final trip in 1997.

 

Continued declining enrollment that saw the Owls go from Class AAA in the 1960s to Class AA in the ‘70, and finally to Class A in the ‘90s, led to fewer players and some tough times after the ‘97 season.

 

However, the support of the Owl faithful never wavered, with large crowds backing Big Creek on Friday night, whether on the road or at home.

 

Longtime assistant Mike Vallo, who had taken a hiatus from coaching football at Big Creek, came back to take the reigns in 2001 and started the Owls on a climb that culminated with a trip back to the state playoffs last year

 

•••

 

The stars on the gridiron were many over the years, and by no means is this meant to be all-inclusive.

 

Two standouts from the mid-1950s were Glynn Carlock and Dave Rider. Rider played at WVU before beginning a successful coaching career that went from Tazewell High School to eastern Tennessee.

 

The late-Carlock served in the Marines before becoming an assistant coach at Bluefield High School after finishing college, and taking the head job at Graham in 1973.

 

Carlock, who passed away in 2005, guided the G-Men to state titles in 1989 and 1995, while leading Graham to 244 wins in 32 seasons.

 

Jim Hickam graduated from Big Creek in 1959 and went on to play collegiate football at Virginia Tech. After graduation, he coached at Northside High School in Roanoke for 32 seasons, compiling a 229-116-11 mark.

 

Hickam is now an assistant coach at Ferrum College.

 

Glen McNew graduated from Big Creek in 1960 and played at Concord before returning to his alma mater as an assistant coach. He was head coach at Iaeger High School for the 1966 season before becoming an assistant at George Wythe for three years and Richlands for four more. At Richlands, he coached under Jim Hammond, also an Owl grad.

 

McNew was head coach at Mullens High School from 1974-87 before moving to Morgantown to coach the Class AAA Mohicans from the fall of ‘87 until his retirement from coaching in ‘02. His Morgantown teams won state championships in 2000 and 2002.

 

By the way, Rider’s grandson can be seen on any given Sunday playing tight end for the Dallas Cowboys. His is Jason Witten.

 

A trio of all-staters played for coach Hicks, with all three going on to play at WVU. Wide receiver Oscar Patrick graduated from Big Creek in 1966, while running back Robert “Punch†Gresham and end Randy Flinchum both graduated in ‘67.

 

Flinchum served as an assistant coach at Big Creek, as well as an assistant to Joel Hicks at Pulaski County, Va. He was also the head football coach at Abingdon, Va. for almost 10 years.

 

Hicks was the head coach at Pulaski County until he retired after the ‘02 season. He guided the Cougars to the 1992 state crown.

 

Coach Gainer, as mentioned, led Bluefield to the 1959 Class AAA title, and added championships in 1962, 1965 and 1967 before going to Patrick Henry of Roanoke, where he coached that school to a 1973 state crown. His 31 year coaching record was 240-57-14.

 

Coach Poletti’s sixteen year record at Big Creek as head coach was 100-52-3.

 

Tom Hale, a 1976 Owl grad, has had an illustrious coaching career, leading Carroll County’s football program for several years. In an interview several years ago, coach Hale attributed Randy Flinchum for getting him interested in becoming a football coach.

 

Adkins’ accomplishments include taking Big Creek to the playoff four of his seven years and finishing as runner-up in 1997.

 

Chris Jones, a 1989 Big Creek all-stater, played at Concord and is in his tenth year as a head football coach in Virginia. He led Bath County to the state title in 2001, only his second season there, and guided Heritage of Lynchburg to the championship in 2002, his first year there.

 

Jones took over at Franklin County High School in Rocky Mount this season and the Eagles are currently 8-1. His ten year coaching record stands at 88-26.

 

The list goes on and on for former Owl football players, whether it be a John Johnson, who played at Duke and is currently an insurance agent in Princeton, or Pete Palko, who is now Dr. Pete Palko, or Bluefield police chief Joe Wilson, who is a former Owl quarterback.

 

Of the head coaches mentioned, who either graduated from Big Creek, or coached there prior to moving to another school or schools, there are 12 state championships between them.

 

Four of those coaches have had football fields named in their honor: Gainer Field at Patrick Henry, Hickam Field at Northside, Hicks Field at Pulaski County and Mario Poletti Field at Big Creek.

 

Tonight, after the Owls battle Meadow Bridge, the lights will go out for the final time, but for anyone who has experienced Big Creek football, just one more time, the memories will live on forever.

 

 

 

Big Creek Owls by the numbers

 

 

 

Records by decade

 

1930s: 47-37-7; 1940s: 49-33-8; 1950s: 75-10-4; 1960s: 62-33-4; 1970s: 64-34-1; 1980s: 53-40; 1990s: 45-57-1; 2000s: 39-54

 

Total: 433-298-25

 

Playoff appearances

 

1976: Class AA, def. Greenbrier West 28-6, lost to Ravenswood 15-7 (championship game)

 

1979: Class AA, def. Central Preston 14-6, lost to Wheeling Central 31-0

 

1980: Class AA, def. Midland Trail 30-0, lost to Ceredo-Kenova 21-6

 

1984: Class AA, lost to Man 38-0

 

1994: Class A, def. Paden City 25-0, lost to St. Mary’s 28-0

 

1995: Class A, lost to Mount Hope 28-0

 

1996: Class A, lost to Wahama 41-14

 

1997: Class A, def. Clay-Batelle 32-26, 2 OT, def. East Hardy 6-0, def. Guyan Valley 15-0, lost to Moorefield 15-12 (championship game)

 

2008: Class A, lost to Pocahontas County 68-12

 

Big Creek head coaches

 

Hugh “Tubby†Law (1931-34, 34 wins); G.E. Brown (’35-39, 12); Elda Carney (’40-41, 14); Jimmy Green (’42, 2); John Carter (’43, 45-47, 19); Ralph Waite (’44, 5); Merrill Gainer (’48-58, 79); Carl Mams (’59-63, 30); Joel Hicks (’64-68, 33); Mario Poletti (’69-84, 100); Howard Linkous (’85-90, 22); Drexel Adams, Jr. (’91-97, 40); Tom Calloway (’98, 1); Rhandy Barnett (’99-2000, 5); Mike Vallo (’01-09, 36).

[EH31 2,533]

It's going to be a sad night in War. I know it doesn't seem like there is much of a bright side right now, but be thankful that you can use tonight for closure. When I played my last game at Pocahontas, I didn't know it was going to be my last game. I'd do anything to go back to that night, knowing what I do now. Just a little advice to all the Big Creek players..Go all out tonight. Leave nothing on the field that you will regret, because you'll never be able to go back to this night. Be proud of your history, and celebrate it tonight.

[neva_scarred 10]

big creek had some great football through the years..i have always admired programs that stood for good hard nosed football....the owls had some great moments in their history!

[capanther 10]

big creek had some great football through the years..i have always admired programs that stood for good hard nosed football....the owls had some great moments in their history!

[blufan04 12]

The legacy of Big Creek football can live long after tonight. Starting next year and beyond any time River View highschool takes the field.

[Bluefield_Rules 46]

The legacy of Big Creek football can live long after tonight. Starting next year and beyond any time River View highschool takes the field.

 

The legacy of Big Creek still lives every Friday night in the heart, soul, and minds of those that played and coached there. As the article mentioned, there are several alums coaching today carrying on the tradition and principles they learned at B.C.

Edited November 6, 2009 by Bluefield_Rules

[blufan04 12]

I agree 100%!

[BeaverHokie 35]

This is more of a big-picture thing, but consolidation is killing the small-town spirit of Friday-night football, in places like that.

 

I know the population is declining, and that is used as a reason to consolidate schools, to save money. It used to be that another reason given was the increased opportunities at bigger schools. With the advent of high-speed internet, and so many other methods, I would think that would be severely lessened as a reason now. It costs good money to build these new schools, so it will take a long time to save from better efficiency of services.

 

Plus, the bus rides these kids have to take to/from school have to be horrific in many cases. Kids shouldn't be spending an hour or more on a bus each way.

 

We have the opposite happening here in metro Atlanta (or did until the economy tanked). They've built new high schools to cut down on the size of the existing ones. My daughter, when she hits HS in 4 years, will be going to the SMALLEST high school in her county, at like 2100 kids in grades 9-12. The school used to be a lot bigger, but they built a new school (near the homes of the Real Housewives of Atlanta) that drew off of her school and another one. Used to be near 3000 kids. Some of the schools are enormous.

 

I went to BHS when it was bigger than it is now, but it still was small enough that we knew pretty much everybody in our grade, in some form or another. I worry about these big schools, that are more like colleges, where the kids are not much more than a number.

[RichlandsAlum 678]

This is more of a big-picture thing, but consolidation is killing the small-town spirit of Friday-night football, in places like that.

 

I know the population is declining, and that is used as a reason to consolidate schools, to save money. It used to be that another reason given was the increased opportunities at bigger schools. With the advent of high-speed internet, and so many other methods, I would think that would be severely lessened as a reason now. It costs good money to build these new schools, so it will take a long time to save from better efficiency of services.

 

Plus, the bus rides these kids have to take to/from school have to be horrific in many cases. Kids shouldn't be spending an hour or more on a bus each way.

 

We have the opposite happening here in metro Atlanta (or did until the economy tanked). They've built new high schools to cut down on the size of the existing ones. My daughter, when she hits HS in 4 years, will be going to the SMALLEST high school in her county, at like 2100 kids in grades 9-12. The school used to be a lot bigger, but they built a new school (near the homes of the Real Housewives of Atlanta) that drew off of her school and another one. Used to be near 3000 kids. Some of the schools are enormous.

 

I went to BHS when it was bigger than it is now, but it still was small enough that we knew pretty much everybody in our grade, in some form or another. I worry about these big schools, that are more like colleges, where the kids are not much more than a number.

 

Hard to compare the situation in the Coalfields with what's happening in large metro areas like Atlanta. The biggest problem is that the "right" number of students isn't a precise figure, nor is calculating it an exact science.

 

If polled, a lot of parents would probably say that 2,000 students is way too big. But taxpayers are likely to object to funding the capital costs associated with a school under 250 (unless that school has some exceptional value otherwise). And then there are situations like Jefferson Forest, with about 1300 students. Current political pressure in that attendance zone is to expand so they can play in Group AAA. If that aim is accomplished, it will then be interesting to see how much is "too much."

 

Basically, as with a lot of other things, it all boils down to local politics.

[mighty_owls 10]

As a Lifelong Owls fan I have to admit I dont think I'll ever feel for the ne Raiders what I feel at heart for my Owls, Some history missed in the article is that Big Creek was one of the first schools in the region to get stadium lights, allowing night games hence the name Owls. Also the original field they tore up a few years ago for the k-8 was never laid out in a tradition north south configuration, but in an east west.

 

Anybody whoever went to an old BC game will remember the red pickup parked next to the light control box, that was Jean "Rabbit" Cooper, aka my Daddy.... I never in my life had to pay to get into a game at BCHS as he worked for the power company and the lights were controlled on a primary voltage breaker we got in free, parking right there at the center gate, beside the old concessions stand, or later next to the restroom after those concessions were torn down. Daddy never was one for sittin in the bleachers, choosing instead to be there with his old classmates and lifelong friends standing beside the entrance gates to greet the Mighty Owls with a mighty "Get'm Boys" every friday night. And throughout the game Daddy stood right there leanin on the trash can beside the gate and along with other weekly brethren cheered his beloved owls to victory.

 

My favorite memories of childhood are there at polletti field. Watching my Heroes, larger than life in the Green and White. Guys like Sam Muncy who played even though he could barely move his legs after all the injuries and scar tissue, he would continue to be there every week after graduation on his crutches before he would succumb to cancer. I remember Daddy teaching to respect names like Hass and Payne, and to remember that Coach Polletti was as close to Vince Lombardi as I would ever meet.

 

I made the trip in last week to the last Homecoming game, seen some old friends, got some new memories and watched my boys win the first game of the season, sure Burch wasnt a great team, and we didnt really have a defensive plan going on during the game, but Dammit, I seen MY TEAM win one last time and I'll always smile about that

[trublue 939]

Very poignant post....

[Unchained 587]

As a Lifelong Owls fan I have to admit I dont think I'll ever feel for the ne Raiders what I feel at heart for my Owls, Some history missed in the article is that Big Creek was one of the first schools in the region to get stadium lights, allowing night games hence the name Owls. Also the original field they tore up a few years ago for the k-8 was never laid out in a tradition north south configuration, but in an east west.

 

Anybody whoever went to an old BC game will remember the red pickup parked next to the light control box, that was Jean "Rabbit" Cooper, aka my Daddy.... I never in my life had to pay to get into a game at BCHS as he worked for the power company and the lights were controlled on a primary voltage breaker we got in free, parking right there at the center gate, beside the old concessions stand, or later next to the restroom after those concessions were torn down. Daddy never was one for sittin in the bleachers, choosing instead to be there with his old classmates and lifelong friends standing beside the entrance gates to greet the Mighty Owls with a mighty "Get'm Boys" every friday night. And throughout the game Daddy stood right there leanin on the trash can beside the gate and along with other weekly brethren cheered his beloved owls to victory.

 

My favorite memories of childhood are there at polletti field. Watching my Heroes, larger than life in the Green and White. Guys like Sam Muncy who played even though he could barely move his legs after all the injuries and scar tissue, he would continue to be there every week after graduation on his crutches before he would succumb to cancer. I remember Daddy teaching to respect names like Hass and Payne, and to remember that Coach Polletti was as close to Vince Lombardi as I would ever meet.

 

I made the trip in last week to the last Homecoming game, seen some old friends, got some new memories and watched my boys win the first game of the season, sure Burch wasnt a great team, and we didnt really have a defensive plan going on during the game, but Dammit, I seen MY TEAM win one last time and I'll always smile about that

 

 

 

What a nice post. That's really what it's all about. They can close the doors,but the memories in your heart remain.

[Bluefield_Rules 46]

As a Lifelong Owls fan I have to admit I dont think I'll ever feel for the ne Raiders what I feel at heart for my Owls, Some history missed in the article is that Big Creek was one of the first schools in the region to get stadium lights, allowing night games hence the name Owls. Also the original field they tore up a few years ago for the k-8 was never laid out in a tradition north south configuration, but in an east west.

 

Anybody whoever went to an old BC game will remember the red pickup parked next to the light control box, that was Jean "Rabbit" Cooper, aka my Daddy.... I never in my life had to pay to get into a game at BCHS as he worked for the power company and the lights were controlled on a primary voltage breaker we got in free, parking right there at the center gate, beside the old concessions stand, or later next to the restroom after those concessions were torn down. Daddy never was one for sittin in the bleachers, choosing instead to be there with his old classmates and lifelong friends standing beside the entrance gates to greet the Mighty Owls with a mighty "Get'm Boys" every friday night. And throughout the game Daddy stood right there leanin on the trash can beside the gate and along with other weekly brethren cheered his beloved owls to victory.

 

My favorite memories of childhood are there at polletti field. Watching my Heroes, larger than life in the Green and White. Guys like Sam Muncy who played even though he could barely move his legs after all the injuries and scar tissue, he would continue to be there every week after graduation on his crutches before he would succumb to cancer. I remember Daddy teaching to respect names like Hass and Payne, and to remember that Coach Polletti was as close to Vince Lombardi as I would ever meet.

 

I made the trip in last week to the last Homecoming game, seen some old friends, got some new memories and watched my boys win the first game of the season, sure Burch wasnt a great team, and we didnt really have a defensive plan going on during the game, but Dammit, I seen MY TEAM win one last time and I'll always smile about that

 

No doubt, another piece of WV high school football died last night when Big Creek played its final game. Just as a little piece died when the likes of DuPont, East Bank, C-K, etc. played their final games years before.

[beaverbaseball 10]

My favorite memories of childhood are there at polletti field. Watching my Heroes, larger than life in the Green and White. Guys like Sam Muncy who played even though he could barely move his legs after all the injuries and scar tissue, he would continue to be there every week after graduation on his crutches before he would succumb to cancer. I remember Daddy teaching to respect names like Hass and Payne, and to remember that Coach Polletti was as close to Vince Lombardi as I would ever meet.

 

 

Most of my favorite childhood memories were also spent watching the Owls play...As a kid my highlight of the week was every Friday night when I made the trip to War to watch the green and white play...We have had a great history of football with alot of talent from players, to coaches, to teachers, that will live on forever in my heart and us Owl fans!

[Deleted Account 5,203]

As a Lifelong Owls fan I have to admit I dont think I'll ever feel for the ne Raiders what I feel at heart for my Owls, Some history missed in the article is that Big Creek was one of the first schools in the region to get stadium lights, allowing night games hence the name Owls. Also the original field they tore up a few years ago for the k-8 was never laid out in a tradition north south configuration, but in an east west.

 

Anybody whoever went to an old BC game will remember the red pickup parked next to the light control box, that was Jean "Rabbit" Cooper, aka my Daddy.... I never in my life had to pay to get into a game at BCHS as he worked for the power company and the lights were controlled on a primary voltage breaker we got in free, parking right there at the center gate, beside the old concessions stand, or later next to the restroom after those concessions were torn down. Daddy never was one for sittin in the bleachers, choosing instead to be there with his old classmates and lifelong friends standing beside the entrance gates to greet the Mighty Owls with a mighty "Get'm Boys" every friday night. And throughout the game Daddy stood right there leanin on the trash can beside the gate and along with other weekly brethren cheered his beloved owls to victory.

 

My favorite memories of childhood are there at polletti field. Watching my Heroes, larger than life in the Green and White. Guys like Sam Muncy who played even though he could barely move his legs after all the injuries and scar tissue, he would continue to be there every week after graduation on his crutches before he would succumb to cancer. I remember Daddy teaching to respect names like Hass and Payne, and to remember that Coach Polletti was as close to Vince Lombardi as I would ever meet.

 

I made the trip in last week to the last Homecoming game, seen some old friends, got some new memories and watched my boys win the first game of the season, sure Burch wasnt a great team, and we didnt really have a defensive plan going on during the game, but Dammit, I seen MY TEAM win one last time and I'll always smile about that

 

Beautiful post.