Mount Rushmore of Players for each High School

[Fredd 1]

Rye Cove - The Sloan Brothers Martin & Mark, zack Wild Berry & Cheyenne Osbourne

[rvtne216 278]

18 minutes ago, BandanaVTDavis4321 said:

Dave Rider played at Big Creek and played 3 ways at WVU, offense, defense, and special teams. He played under Merle Gainer at Big Creek, the legend who went on to coach at Bluefield High

Ah! You are right. I was just talking about how he played at Big Creek to someone last week. Completely slipped my mind.

[Duke2015 451]

15 hours ago, UnionGuy2017 said:

I’ll be happy to hear other bear fans opinions on this but here goes mine. 
 

1. James Mitchell. What is there to be said? 4 year starter, all state TE each year, took the program to new heights on and off the field. Simply the best Union has had and not close. 
 

2. Bryce Spears- IMO the best QB in Union history due to his dual threat ability at the QB position. Was a very good WR aswell. 
 

3. Tanner Kennedy- the best LB in Union history and maybe the best defensive player overall. Incredibly smart on the field and was basically an extra coach. Tough as nails. 
 

4. Mason polier - absolute monster of a FB/RB and a stud on the defensive side of the ball. 
 

honorable mentions to Jeb Stidham, Raashaun noakes, Zach Qualls and Jay Gavin. 

I’d agree with all except I’d put stidham in over Spears the kid dominated for 4 years on the DL.  Spears would be there if he would’ve started more than 1 year at QB which he should have 

[stu_bean 1,058]

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3 hours ago, rvtne216 said:

Tazewell:

George Grimes, John Rainey, Jesse Davis, Robbie Colley

 

Could also throw in: Steve Mitchem, Dave Rider, Stephan Holloway, Cassius Harris, TJ Rasnick, Matt Muncy, Mark Muncey, Chancellor Harris, I am sure I am leaving some folks out.

Like what you have but hard not to have TJ Rasnick in the top 4.  Just not sure who you could leave out.  Same with Harris brothers, both are coming right there at it as well.

[UnionGuy2017 182]

1 hour ago, Duke2015 said:

I’d agree with all except I’d put stidham in over Spears the kid dominated for 4 years on the DL.  Spears would be there if he would’ve started more than 1 year at QB which he should have 

Fair enough. I can’t argue that. I guess I’m just partial to how much fun it was to watch Spears lead that offense. 

[Fredd 1]

Lee - browning winn, eric satterfield, houston sage, mike hughes. id add logan rasnick but he transferred out

[BigWinners 1,643]

Union is cut and dry to me, no real debate on top four:

 

James Mitchell, Stidham, Polier, Kennedy with Lomax right behind. 

[old_school_blue 247]

For Union fans...what about Powell Valley and Appalachia.  Thomas and Julius have to be top of the list for PV.  Tucker at fullback in the early 90's...lot of good ones there.  I am not as familiar with Appalachia.  I recall Chris Mabe, I think.

 

[elefan 7]

55 minutes ago, Fredd said:

Lee - browning winn, eric satterfield, houston sage, mike hughes. id add logan rasnick but he transferred out

Browning Wynn, Eric Satterfield, Mikey Hughes, lw Calton

honorable mention: Leon brewer, Tyler graham, Randall lefevers, Jeremy Pendergraft, Brandon calton

[Union_Fan 2,155]

28 minutes ago, BigWinners said:

Union is cut and dry to me, no real debate on top four:

 

James Mitchell, Stidham, Polier, Kennedy with Lomax right behind. 

I would have to agree with this, and also add Bryce Spears specifically at the QB position.

[Duke2015 451]

9 minutes ago, old_school_blue said:

For Union fans...what about Powell Valley and Appalachia.  Thomas and Julius have to be top of the list for PV.  Tucker at fullback in the early 90's...lot of good ones there.  I am not as familiar with Appalachia.  I recall Chris Mabe, I think.

 

Appy would have to be Edd Clark Tom Turner Chris Mabe Travis Turner or Travis Clark for the fourth slot but I’m missing some of the old school guys who went about 4 years and lost about 2 games in their career 

[Duke2015 451]

1 minute ago, Union_Fan said:

I would have to agree with this, and also add Bryce Spears specifically at the QB position.

Definitely the best QB we’ve had just wish it wasn’t 1 year 

[Duke2015 451]

15 minutes ago, old_school_blue said:

For Union fans...what about Powell Valley and Appalachia.  Thomas and Julius have to be top of the list for PV.  Tucker at fullback in the early 90's...lot of good ones there.  I am not as familiar with Appalachia.  I recall Chris Mabe, I think.

 

PV would be tough just the RBs alone would be up for debate Jones brothers, Forty Jackson, Bishop brothers, Keith Hall.  PV was very blessed with some ball players in the 80s and 90s

[Duke2015 451]

11 minutes ago, elefan said:

Browning Wynn, Eric Satterfield, Mikey Hughes, lw Calton

honorable mention: Leon brewer, Tyler graham, Randall lefevers, Jeremy Pendergraft, Brandon calton

Lee had a good QB in their first year too that was pretty good not positive of name but think it was Day 

[Union_Fan 2,155]

13 minutes ago, old_school_blue said:

For Union fans...what about Powell Valley and Appalachia.  Thomas and Julius have to be top of the list for PV.  Tucker at fullback in the early 90's...lot of good ones there.  I am not as familiar with Appalachia.  I recall Chris Mabe, I think.

 

I'm not even sure where to start on that. So many outstanding players.

PV - Thomas and Julius, Upton Jackson, Dennis Blagg, Chris Harris, Matt Stidham, the McCoy brothers, Chad Bishop, Robbie Duncan, Keith Hall, etc...

Appy - Ed Clark, Travis Turner, Travis Clark, "Radio" Stuart, Tim Sturgill, Huff that went to West Point, Tom Turner, Chris Mabe, Jason Evans, etc...

[tbgfan 855]

Mike Compton  

Justin McCracken/John Luke Asbury (Co-QB's)  Believe JLA had 47 TD's his senior yr.  

Caleb Jennings (His senior season had as many TD's called back due to holding penalties as TD's that counted.  

Devon Johnson (BDT 4 Seasons POY back to back.  All State (a man playing among boys)

HM:  Austin Fuller ( playmaker and game changer), Reece Strong (great QB and could place the ball with pinpoint accuracy for onside kicks), Cody Thomas, Brett Simmons, Shane Wicks (great on defense), Matt Davis (great WR), Brannon Breeding,  Brad Salyers (Jr year...tragically killed before his Sr year) 

 

 

[tbgfan 855]

For Tazewell 

Cokie Kitts - played in early 50's, scholly offers to Notre Dame, Tennessee.  Came to E&H after TN pulled his scholarship due to marrying.

TJ Rasnick --a warrior on and off the field 

 

 

[Liam McPoyle 1,863]

1 hour ago, Duke2015 said:

Appy would have to be Edd Clark Tom Turner Chris Mabe Travis Turner or Travis Clark for the fourth slot but I’m missing some of the old school guys who went about 4 years and lost about 2 games in their career 

Mine would be Edd Clark, Tom Turner, Travis Turner, and Travis Clark with HMs including Chris Mabe and Jamie Jessee

[Bandana Knight 4]

9 hours ago, Hokiebird7 said:

Some of these guys were good players bur not at the level for this thread

Your right the cook kid was really really good. I went down a fox hole of really good players in that last post 

[elefan 7]

1 hour ago, Duke2015 said:

Lee had a good QB in their first year too that was pretty good not positive of name but think it was Day 

Yes, I believe you’re right. I’m sure I’m leaving out a couple of other great guys from the the first few years that lhs was opened. I am getting too old to remember back that far! I remember their abilities, just can’t remember all of the names. The level of talent was out of this world back then and it remained top notch until around the early 2000’s if my memory serves me correctly. Not putting anyone down that came after. I just feel like it is a different for world now and MOST kids are not the same.   

[BandanaVTDavis4321 1,717]

8 hours ago, rvtne216 said:

From my alma mater, Richlands, I think I would put these four:

1. Mike Compton--went on to be a Consensus All-American at WVU. Started at Center for three years there. Lombardi Award Finalist, named a first team All-American by numerous outlets, 2x First Team All Big East. Third Round NFL Draft pick. Blocked for Sanders in Detroit. Won SB XXXVI and XXXVII in New England and played for the Jacksonville Jaguars before embarking on a high school and collegiate coaching career.

2. Devon Johnson--at Richlands, Johnson in his career finished with 457 carries 4,340 rushing yards, 9.5 yards per carry, 63 rushing touchdowns, 23 receptions, 399 yards receiving, six receiving touchdowns to go along with 216 tackles, 47 TFLs, 16 sacks, 10 FFs, 1 INT--this was at a time when the starters at Richlands were pulled after the first drive in the third quarter on a lot of nights. At Marshall, Johnson rushed for 2,373 yards which ranks ninth all time at Marshall. 25 rushing touchdowns, which is 12th all time at Marshall. Johnson averaged 7.78 yards a carry (305/2,373)--the best in Thundering Herd history. Johnson had six games in which he rushed for 150 or more yards. (12 at 100 or more). Johnson rushed for 100 or more yards in seven consecutive games and three consecutive games where he had 150 or more yards--the best in Marshall history. Johnson holds the single game rushing record at Marshall where he finished the 2014 contest with FAU in 2014 with 272 rushing yards. Johnson's 2014 season saw him rush for 1,767 yards which is second most in Marshall history for a single season. Johnson also finished sixth in the country in rushing in 2014 (behind some guys you may have heard of Melvin Gordon, Tevin Coleman, Ezekiel Elliott, Donnel Pumphery and Jay Ajayi). Devon was a first team Conference USA selection and a semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award. Devon went on to sign with the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent where he stayed on with the Panthers for the 2016 season before being waived in 2017. 

3. Matt McGlothlin--Matt was a first team all SWD selection on offense and defense, and a firs team all state selection. McGlothlin walked onto the Tennessee program in 2002 and then played in all 12 games for the Vols in 2003 where he even started two contests. In 2005, McGlothlin saw significant playing time but in 2006 McGlothlin saw his most productive where he finished with 15 tackles. Matt signed a UDFA deal with the Kansas City Chiefs and then spent some time in the Arena League with the Orlando Predators.

4. Terry Wess--A 1969 graduate of Richlands High School that started for three years as a QB at RHS, who had an offer to go to Marshall on a football scholarship. His number is retired by the program. Wess was a longtime assistant coach at Richlands and was the head coach in 1993 where he led the Blues to a 7-3 record. 

 

These are the four I would put on the list. The Honorable Mentions would have to consist of: Caleb Jennings, Justin McCracken, Austin Fuller, John Luke Asbury, Billy Cranwell, Brannon Breeding, Jeremy McCommons, Sandy Rogers, Taylor Wade, Josh Hess, Cody Thomas, Brad Salyers, Timmy Brown. And others. I am sure I am leaving out some names.

You are leaving out 2 of my top 4 from Richlands in Johnny Knuckles and Brian Beavers from the 80.s  Knuckles was unbelievable in the secondary and Beavers would take heads off on defense, then get the ball and run over top of people on offense (Brandon Beavers uncle) was a bad dude.

[BandanaVTDavis4321 1,717]

29 minutes ago, Bandana Knight said:

Your right the cook kid was really really good. I went down a fox hole of really good players in that last post 

Cook would be top 4 for sure at Giles imo.  Side Note- Kip Green (not close to top 4 at Giles or Radford) but neverthless, a pretty good High School player, who transferred to Radford High of course, will be in contention for 2nd string next year at Coastal Carolina.  Coastal loses some up front, but he has a chance for a fair amount of playing time for the Chanticleers next year.

[Bandana Knight 4]

I didn’t see him as a Jr & Sr but he was a big talented kid if I remember correctly a decent basketball player too seems like he was hurt a few times during that time frame too