Union looses Huff

[cityofRaven]

17 hours ago, Unchained said:

 

You are a Richlands fan right?

And? We're not talking about Richlands, we're talking Union.

The program that's been hailed as this State Title contender every year since the consolidation only to be known for its underachieving.

[50kw]

1 hour ago, cityofRaven said:

And? We're not talking about Richlands, we're talking Union.

The program that's been hailed as this State Title contender every year since the consolidation only to be known for its underachieving.

Word!!!

[BigWinners]

2 hours ago, cityofRaven said:

And? We're not talking about Richlands, we're talking Union.

The program that's been hailed as this State Title contender every year since the consolidation only to be known for its underachieving.

When, specifically, was Union actually considered a legit state title contender, outside of being included in a group of ~10 schools who could potentially win a title? In what year was Union was regarded as the state title favorite? Aside from Graham, Appomattox and Radford, what school has achieved at a consistent higher level? 

I agree that Union has bungled at least a couple chances to bring home hardware, but none realistically since about 2017.   So when has Union underachieved?

 

If we are gonna ding a program for unrealistic expectations from some fans, theres a lotta programs gonna be dinged.

[Wolf1207]

I would say the M7 in particular had underachieved.  Especially RV and Union. Both have had teams that could make runs and been unexpectedly bounced early from the playoffs.

In the Covid spring season in 21, Union did make an unexpected run to the state semis.  I will give them credit for that. 

[tornado99]

Playing devil’s advocate, I think there are many who assumed Powell Valley plus Appalachia’s state titles and pedigree would create a super team. (I can’t recall posters or individuals by name.) 

Nonetheless, Union in particular is consistently formidable. They just have had a hard time consistently getting past Graham in the Region since their resurgence (there are exceptions), and it has been during Appomattox’s peak years. 
 

Besides Graham and Galax, for a variety of reasons, it has gotten more difficult for a team in our region to win it all. 

[UnionGuy2017]

Union is entering season 14 this year. In that time they have won Atleast 7 games all but the first season (excluding Covid when they played in the state semi’s). Been to the final four 3 times, and won Atleast one playoff game in all but 2 seasons. Graham has had their number more often than not, but Union has gotten them a few times. Other than them and Appomattox, who has a more consistent 2A program since 2011? 
Stuart’s draft maybe?

And don’t say Riverheads. Lol. 

[tornado99]

38 minutes ago, UnionGuy2017 said:

Union is entering season 14 this year. In that time they have won Atleast 7 games all but the first season (excluding Covid when they played in the state semi’s). Been to the final four 3 times, and won Atleast one playoff game in all but 2 seasons. Graham has had their number more often than not, but Union has gotten them a few times. Other than them and Appomattox, who has a more consistent 2A program since 2011? 
Stuart’s draft maybe?

And don’t say Riverheads. Lol. 

I’m inclined to agree with you. Radford has previously been mentioned. Stuart’s Draft, maybe? I’m a little lazy to research, but Glenvar has seemed to be pretty solid. 
 

Either way, no shame in their results. I think some may have had unrealistic expectations based upon the assumption mentioned only. After Richlands has fallen off in recent years, I would be pretty happy with Union’s consistency. (I wholeheartedly believe improvement is coming.) Some arguable measure of expectation could be compared to that past success of approximately 2004-2016, but again that and Graham are the only comparisons I can think of locally in 2A.

[GilesBandanaMan]

47 minutes ago, UnionGuy2017 said:

Union is entering season 14 this year. In that time they have won Atleast 7 games all but the first season (excluding Covid when they played in the state semi’s). Been to the final four 3 times, and won Atleast one playoff game in all but 2 seasons. Graham has had their number more often than not, but Union has gotten them a few times. Other than them and Appomattox, who has a more consistent 2A program since 2011? 
Stuart’s draft maybe?

And don’t say Riverheads. Lol. 

I would argue no other program in Class 2 has been more consistent outside Graham and Appo than Union with the exception of Poquoson. Arguments one could make that come close to Union or equal as an overall program to Union since 2011 are Poquoson. I think 6 regional titles and can't remember when they beat Richlands for the state title maybe 2011ish so they may have one state title since 2011. Poquoson has been pretty darn solid like Union. Glenvar is another one that has been really good and consistent for a long time and has a state title since 2011 also. Draft has fallen off the last 4 years not as much as Richlands, but a big fall off.

 

[UnionGuy2017]

3 minutes ago, BandanaVTDavis4321 said:

I would argue no other program in Class 2 has been more consistent outside Graham and Appo than Union with the exception of Poquoson. Arguments one could make that come close to Union or equal as an overall program to Union since 2011 are Poquoson. I think 6 regional titles and can't remember when they beat Richlands for the state title maybe 2011ish so they may have one state title since 2011. Poquoson has been pretty darn solid like Union. Glenvar is another one that has been really good and consistent for a long time and has a state title since 2011 also. Draft has fallen off the last 4 years not as much as Richlands, but a big fall off.

 

I can definitely see those two. I guess I didn’t include Glenvar because it seems like when they have a bad season it’s really bad. Give Union the edge there but also no state title for Union, obviously. 1-1 in playoff games between the two. 
 

Poquoson is interesting. They weren’t in 2A the entire time but since coming back they are always solid. 

[Unchained]

6 hours ago, cityofRaven said:

And? We're not talking about Richlands, we're talking Union.

The program that's been hailed as this State Title contender every year since the consolidation only to be known for its underachieving.

The last time the Blues were relevant was when PV and Appy were:) I am not hearing the folks from BSG and Appy year after  saying we are winning a state title. Of course expectations are high,but we're not claiming to be a juggernaut.

[NorthGreeneHuskies88]

On 7/24/2024 at 12:45 PM, cityofRaven said:

And? We're not talking about Richlands, we're talking Union.

The program that's been hailed as this State Title contender every year since the consolidation only to be known for its underachieving.

I have seen very few people hailing Union as state title contenders every year. 
 

In 2015 and 2017, hopes were high. Got trounced in 2015 by Clark County. Started slow and about came back and won against a heavily favored Appomattox team in 2017. 
 

Union has had a formidable team most seasons since its inception. 
 

Most people in 2010 were ready to crown Richlands the D3 champ and they got shown up by an obviously great Poquoson team. Since then, Richlands hasn’t accomplished any more than Union has. 
 

Bet y’all could use some of those 1992 cleats. 
 

And of course, I am not directing this towards any current players. Just some sour tail fans. 

[jeffro]

ouch!

[SXSW]

Union has lots of potential every year, but it's greatest liability is on the sidelines! Way too much talent gets squandered there every year!  

[Union_Fan]

30 minutes ago, SXSW said:

Union has lots of potential every year, but it's greatest liability is on the sidelines! Way too much talent gets squandered there every year!  

Yep!

[NorthGreeneHuskies88]

6 hours ago, SXSW said:

Union has lots of potential every year, but it's greatest liability is on the sidelines! Way too much talent gets squandered there every year!  

This. 

[CriticalNoise]

18 hours ago, SXSW said:

Union has lots of potential every year, but it's greatest liability is on the sidelines! Way too much talent gets squandered there every year!  

100% a change of scenery is needed for change on the sidelines. 

We'll see what happens when our JV team is there in a couple years which is very, very solid. 

Word on the street at Hardee's yesterday morning was Huff is on his way back to Big Stone Gap already!

[Union_Fan]

1 hour ago, CriticalNoise said:

100% a change of scenery is needed for change on the sidelines. 

We'll see what happens when our JV team is there in a couple years which is very, very solid. 

Word on the street at Hardee's yesterday morning was Huff is on his way back to Big Stone Gap already!

I do likes me some Hardee's gossip!

[Unchained]

13 hours ago, Union_Fan said:

I do likes me some Hardee's gossip!

Also hearing that the policy of 50% of the men who live in BSG and Appalachia being assistant coaches is under review as well:)

[Union_Fan]

14 minutes ago, Unchained said:

Also hearing that the policy of 50% of the men who live in BSG and Appalachia being assistant coaches is under review as well:)

Would not be a bad idea at all. You can see the chaos from the stands on a weekly basis.

[Unchained]

2 minutes ago, Union_Fan said:

Would not be a bad idea at all. You can see the chaos from the stands on a weekly basis.

It's absurd really.

[CriticalNoise]

On 7/27/2024 at 8:03 PM, Unchained said:

It's absurd really.

sad thing is....most of them are right 😂

[tornado99]

So, is Huff back with the Bears this season?

[Union_Fan]

8 hours ago, tornado99 said:

So, is Huff back with the Bears this season?

Good question. I've been unable to confirm with 100% certainty.

[tornado99]

SWVAOG points out often how a player of his caliber often is 2 positions instead of one in a smaller classification. I hope for the Bears it is true that he is back.
 

The decline in the population has really taken its toll on SWVA. Even though some have had success, it’s a long way from the 1990s. This brings us back to those unrealistic expectations from yesteryear. 
 

Good luck this season.

[GilesBandanaMan]

Any word on Huff? Back or not back? In practice or not?