Swvafan72 15 Report Share Posted October 28, 2016 Question for some of my Richlands guys and some of the fans of the teams that played them. I haven't got to go to any games this year due to my work schedule. Is Richlands better this year than they were last? I meant to ask this when they were undefeated, but I still think it's an interesting topic. They were really good last year from the games I got to watch, what do y'all think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMan 3,569 Report Share Posted October 28, 2016 Better last season, they had a running threat last year...not so much this year... blueinbama 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UniON_FoOtBaLL 68 Report Share Posted October 28, 2016 Better last year furshur better Defense an running game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EH31 2,532 Report Share Posted October 28, 2016 The Blankenship boy from Tazewell rushed for more yards in one game last year (300+) against Abingdon than anyone has on richlands team through 9 games this season. That should tell you enough. FalconVoice 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mountain Football 1,533 Report Share Posted October 28, 2016 Funny you bring this up. I work with a guy his boy played on the team last year and we had this very same discussion this morning. The team from last year was a much better team. Mostly because of the senior leadership at the time was much better. Those guys were a really tight knit group that worked together on and off the field. The leadership of Mance, Wade, Addison, Blankenship, Waldron, and many more is hard to replace. The group this year seems to lack some of that. Just my opinion from the outside looking in. I'm not saying this year's team isn't good just not where they were last year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mv91 259 Report Share Posted October 28, 2016 A running game has truly been missed this year. Abingdon definitely exposed that last week. But to answer the question. Yes, last year was a better team and much more balanced on offense. I have been pleasantly surprised with this years defense thus far. FalconVoice 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconVoice 38 Report Share Posted October 28, 2016 100% better last year. I usually don't like making these comparisons because there are so many variables, but this one is just too obvious. As everyone else has pointed out, the running game alone made the Blue Tornados were better last year, but 2. and I hate to define the whole season on one loss (because A. They had one loss against Union in previous years coming to Abingdon), but they didn't seem to have that knack that I feel would have led them to victory over Abingdon regardless of what scheme/gameplan Abingdon was running. That Richlands team from last year had that knack, and I don't think they would have lost to Abingdon under similar circumstances. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Union_Fan 2,155 Report Share Posted October 28, 2016 Richlands was definitely better last year, but I think Union was too. This year's Richlands team reminds me more of 2014 than last year, but I only have 1 game to go by. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWVAgridiron 1,469 Report Share Posted October 28, 2016 I think all the top teams dropped off from last season with the exception of Appomattox. Appo and Graham are my favorites right now for 2A futbolking 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigWinners 1,643 Report Share Posted October 28, 2016 Graham is better this year, Dan River too. Appo is close to the same from what I gather, while Richlands has had a decent drop off. Union is not quite as good as last season but they're getting better each week. jarhead24219 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EH31 2,532 Report Share Posted October 28, 2016 Another reason richlands was better last year was that Atkinson was better than Booker local_insight and futbolking 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parsons 178 Report Share Posted October 29, 2016 Another reason richlands was better last year was that Atkinson was better than Booker Not sure why you felt the need to take a shot at Booker......perhaps because he hammered a nail or two in the coffin of his former team a few weeks ago... Ryan4VT and JwDuke 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EH31 2,532 Report Share Posted October 29, 2016 Not sure why you felt the need to take a shot at Booker......perhaps because he hammered a nail or two in the coffin of his former team a few weeks ago... Not meant to be a shot at booker. He made the best decision for himself going to Richlands.. he's had a bigger impact there than what I believe he would have had for Graham. But Austin was a special athlete that I felt never got the recognition he deserved for R'lands. He took over games at times on offense/defense/& returns.Now booker is playing more or less in the same role as Austin had last season but doesn't have the same impact. local_insight 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parsons 178 Report Share Posted October 29, 2016 A running game has truly been missed this year. Mance is clearly addressing that issue now. I will be interested in seeing how they do out of the I when Howie and Lowe get back in pads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan4VT 4,557 Report Share Posted October 29, 2016 They ran out of the I-formation tonight with several different fullbacks. And that was without Lowe even playing. I'd say you're gonna see more running coming up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mv91 259 Report Share Posted October 29, 2016 I was glad to see a lot of the I tonight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueRazor 1,147 Report Share Posted October 29, 2016 Last years team was better....by a lot. I think this team is very good though. I think this team needs to get much more physical. My top five right now would be,,,, 1- Appomattox 2- Graham 3- Richlands 4- Dan River 5- Union 2A of course Bigrhsfan 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWVAgridiron 1,469 Report Share Posted October 29, 2016 Last years team was better....by a lot. I think this team is very good though. I think this team needs to get much more physical. My top five right now would be,,,, 1- Appomattox 2- Graham 3- Richlands 4- Dan River 5- Union 2A of course I agree 100% with this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlackWolf5 26 Report Share Posted October 29, 2016 Richlands needs to get more physical and get in the weight room more. Seniors need to step up and become better leaders on and off the field! Defense needs to be given more credit than what's been said it's a team effort and they've shown that this season so far not downing there offense but defense is the back bone of that team right now! They need to find a running back before playoff starts...still don't know why Mance haven't tried Devon's nephew at that position yet or is he just a defense player? Graham looked good tonight it's going to be a good game if they meet up in the playoffs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueinbama 259 Report Share Posted October 29, 2016 Better last season, they had a running threat last year...not so much this year... This. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
local_insight 146 Report Share Posted October 29, 2016 Richlands has no excuse for not having a running game. They have had multiple games to develop a running game (Gate City, Virginia High, Bluefield, Tazewell, Grundy) They have a a few guys who could play running back. Dylan Elswick for example, which has always played RB until the past year. Sure Codie Howie will make a good running back, but it will be obvious to what Richlands will be running when he goes from WR to RB. Well they are moving Howie to running back must be planning to throw it deep. I mean come on. cityofRaven 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NaderFan 39 Report Share Posted October 29, 2016 curious why they dont use raequan jones at RB. He looks good and has decent size. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan4VT 4,557 Report Share Posted October 29, 2016 curious why they dont use raequan jones at RB. He looks good and has decent size. He's pretty young. That could be it. Not sure, really. He'll be a great player for the Blues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old_school_blue 247 Report Share Posted October 29, 2016 "It is better to build strong children than to try to repair adults." - Unknown Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parsons 178 Report Share Posted October 29, 2016 Richlands has no excuse for not having a running game. They have had multiple games to develop a running game (Gate City, Virginia High, Bluefield, Tazewell, Grundy) They have a a few guys who could play running back. Dylan Elswick for example, which has always played RB until the past year. Sure Codie Howie will make a good running back, but it will be obvious to what Richlands will be running when he goes from WR to RB. Well they are moving Howie to running back must be planning to throw it deep. I mean come on. Who needs coach Mance when we have the sheer genius of local insight? Which member of the team is your wannabe running back relative? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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