Forgotten Greats of the Last 10 Years

[Football is Cool]

Players of the last 10 years or so that were great but aren’t forgotten. Electric Players that always put on a show. I look forward to the answers 

 

some names I thought of: 

Trenton Adkins, Ridgeview

Brady Justice, Hurley 

John Luke Asbury, Richlands 

Zack Brown, Patrick Henry 

Cody Cain, Thom Walker (Maybe more than 10)

[UnionGuy2017]

Bryce Spears, Union. 
Tanner Kennedy, Union. 
Big RB from Lee High, maybe 2014? Can’t remember his name. #40 maybe?

Sam Wagner from Marion. 
Isaac Perrigan, J.I. Burton

Matthew Branham, J.I. Burton. 
 

Jamorya Cousin (hope im spelling that correctly) Graham. 
 

Very nice thread here. Hope to add more as they come to mind 

[tornado99]

Scottie Ball and Cody Howie-Richlands 

Devin Lester-Graham 

Austin Smith and Trevor Dye-Honaker 

Jacob McNutt and Gabe Fiser-Grundy

Mason Polier-Union

Any Galax Running back

Biedleman and Mann-Giles

Some Of these may be borderline, trying not to be too recent or far back, plus not too obvious (Cam Allen).

[Gridiron60]

8 hours ago, tornado99 said:

Scottie Ball and Cody Howie-Richlands 

Devin Lester-Graham 

Austin Smith and Trevor Dye-Honaker 

Jacob McNutt and Gabe Fiser-Grundy

Mason Polier-Union

Any Galax Running back

Biedleman and Mann-Giles

Some Of these may be borderline, trying not to be too recent or far back, plus not too obvious (Cam Allen).

Scottie Ball was fun to watch on basketball court as well. 

[swvafbrespect]

Greg Sanchez and Zach Cale From Chilhowie

Dakota Humphrey from PH

Medford from Holston

[tornado99]

1 hour ago, swvafbrespect said:

Greg Sanchez and Zach Cale From Chilhowie

Dakota Humphrey from PH

Medford from Holston

I was trying to think of the running backs for PH and Chilhowie listed above, but couldn’t remember the names.

I also couldn’t remember Union’s supporting cast to James Mitchell, but there was a time they had a duo/trio of Zirkle and Honeycutt. I know Lomax may have been a little more recent.

Right around the 10-year mark, I would add Wade and Holmes from Richlands on defense.

It might step on some toes due to rivalry and transferring, but I really think Nick Blankenship may have been one of the best players for Richlands and Tazewell. I only met him a couple times, but was really impressed with his work ethic, and respect for elders (yes sir, no sir). 

[swvavol]

12 hours ago, UnionGuy2017 said:

Bryce Spears, Union. 
Tanner Kennedy, Union. 
Big RB from Lee High, maybe 2014? Can’t remember his name. #40 maybe?

Sam Wagner from Marion. 
Isaac Perrigan, J.I. Burton

Matthew Branham, J.I. Burton. 
 

Jamorya Cousin (hope im spelling that correctly) Graham. 
 

Very nice thread here. Hope to add more as they come to mind 

Tyler Graham is the RB from Lee you are thinking about

[Football is Cool]

Graham was special. I believe he hung 400 yards on central one night. 
 

read in BHC a few weeks ago about a form player from Patrick Henry that had some D1 offers was transferring from Emory. Name didn’t ring a bell but that seems like a big deal 

[Union_Fan]

2 hours ago, swvavol said:

Tyler Graham is the RB from Lee you are thinking about

Cody Haynes was #40, I believe.

Tyler Graham was a few years earlier. He could fly and was a tough running back!

[rvtne216]

This makes me feel old because I am no longer within the 10 year frame. Time flies.

[Real Sasquatch]

Polier from Union.

 

[Unchained]

5 hours ago, Football is Cool said:

Graham was special. I believe he hung 400 yards on central one night. 
 

read in BHC a few weeks ago about a form player from Patrick Henry that had some D1 offers was transferring from Emory. Name didn’t ring a bell but that seems like a big deal 

My eldest played vs him in that one. Luckily for me, he was a WR lol. ZERO defense by either squad that night.

[UnionGuy2017]

5 hours ago, Union_Fan said:

Cody Haynes was #40, I believe.

Tyler Graham was a few years earlier. He could fly and was a tough running back!

I’m pretty sure Haynes was the one I was referencing. Still can’t believe they didn’t give him the ball on 4th and 1 in 2014. 
 

On a totally related note.. Austin Jesse, Union. 😃

[Football is Cool]

11 hours ago, Football is Cool said:

Graham was special. I believe he hung 400 yards on central one night. 
 

read in BHC a few weeks ago about a form player from Patrick Henry that had some D1 offers was transferring from Emory. Name didn’t ring a bell but that seems like a big deal 

Ean Rhea was the name I was missing. Lots of Div 1 offers per his X page. 

Had to do some digging to find a few more 

Mikey Culbertson - John I Burton 

Lane Scarborough - JSB  
Jake Sturgill - Abingdon 
Blake Olinger/Eric Doan - Northwood

 

[goose111874]

5 hours ago, UnionGuy2017 said:

I’m pretty sure Haynes was the one I was referencing. Still can’t believe they didn’t give him the ball on 4th and 1 in 2014. 
 

On a totally related note.. Austin Jesse, Union. 😃

Dumbest play call ever, didn’t they give it to a 140 pound runner up the middle??

[UnionGuy2017]

Thomas Walker had a pretty good WR a few years ago.. I can’t remember his name. 
 

Malik Miles, J.I Burton. Maybe closer to 15 years ago than 10. 
 

Clintwood had a really tough RB around that same time frame. I think his first name was Gavin?

 

 

[Union_Fan]

23 minutes ago, UnionGuy2017 said:

Thomas Walker had a pretty good WR a few years ago.. I can’t remember his name. 
 

Malik Miles, J.I Burton. Maybe closer to 15 years ago than 10. 
 

Clintwood had a really tough RB around that same time frame. I think his first name was Gavin?

 

 

Gavan Meade and the bowling ball FB, Austin Dotson, that gave a Union defender a concussion in 2011 on their way to the last LPD state championship in football.

Meade was a fantastic RB. Could run around you or over you.

[tornado99]

14 minutes ago, Union_Fan said:

Gavan Meade and the bowling ball FB, Austin Dotson, that gave a Union defender a concussion in 2011 on their way to the last LPD state championship in football.

Meade was a fantastic RB. Could run around you or over you.

I remember those guys, but didn’t include them due to being more than 10 years. That said, it was one of the biggest offensive lines at a smaller school that I have ever seen.

Didn’t Meade split time his junior year with another talented tailback? I know one year they won state, but another lost to GW in the semifinals.

On the same note, who was the Haysi running back that came from Ervinton who had a memorable battle with Peoples from Galax? Something like Bowen or Bowling?

[SwvaOG]

On 6/2/2025 at 9:12 PM, Football is Cool said:

Players of the last 10 years or so that were great but aren’t forgotten. Electric Players that always put on a show. I look forward to the answers 

 

some names I thought of: 

Trenton Adkins, Ridgeview

Brady Justice, Hurley 

John Luke Asbury, Richlands 

Zack Brown, Patrick Henry 

Cody Cain, Thom Walker (Maybe more than 10)

Adkins put up video game numbers against everybody.  He is still the best talent from the area since James Mitchell and I would argue he was better high school player than Mitchell.  The kid was being recruited by D1 on offense and defense.  I'm not sure too many other top level talent can say that.  Had he put his mind to it he would have been playing in the NFL (as a Safety).  

[Football is Cool]

3 hours ago, tornado99 said:

I remember those guys, but didn’t include them due to being more than 10 years. That said, it was one of the biggest offensive lines at a smaller school that I have ever seen.

Didn’t Meade split time his junior year with another talented tailback? I know one year they won state, but another lost to GW in the semifinals.

On the same note, who was the Haysi running back that came from Ervinton who had a memorable battle with Peoples from Galax? Something like Bowen or Bowling?

Jeff Bowen I believe 

[Dookthecook]

Goen Bak fiffy. O DuketheCook was Starr! 

[Union_Fan]

8 hours ago, tornado99 said:

I remember those guys, but didn’t include them due to being more than 10 years. That said, it was one of the biggest offensive lines at a smaller school that I have ever seen.

Didn’t Meade split time his junior year with another talented tailback? I know one year they won state, but another lost to GW in the semifinals.

On the same note, who was the Haysi running back that came from Ervinton who had a memorable battle with Peoples from Galax? Something like Bowen or Bowling?

You're probably thinking about the FB I mentioned. He was a senior in 2011 when they won the championship. He was an absolute beast and a great LB too.

[tornado99]

1 hour ago, Union_Fan said:

You're probably thinking about the FB I mentioned. He was a senior in 2011 when they won the championship. He was an absolute beast and a great LB too.

I remember Dotson, the FB #13. Meade was 11. There was another guy, but I can’t remember. He had a single digit number. It was either Meade’s junior or sophomore year. 
Either way, they had an impressive run with that group.

Edited June 5 by tornado99
Correction

[redtiger]

I believe the other RB at Clintwood was Mancel Powers, smaller back but electric. In 2010, I believe, Powers and Meade probably rushed for 2500 yds. 

The Offensive Tackle for Clintwood in those years was the most dominant OL I've seen in this area. Can't remember his name but the kid was 6'7" and a well built 300lbs. Equally adept at down blocking on DTs as he was at pulling on Counter. Truly a specimen that no one talks about and for the life of me I cant remember his name.

Tanner O'Quinn was a really good WR for Haysi (2014).

Jeffrey Bowen was the RB for Haysi(2013), but he was a fantastic LB as was Tristan Yates(2014).  Together they manned the MLB positions at a average height of 5'7" and a combined weight of maybe 350lbs. Two mean little dudes for the Tigers.

CJ Crabtree was a really good RB for Central, 2k yards as a senior and over 4k for his career.

The RB for Galax in 2014(after Peoples) was a stud, very good wrestler too I believe. 

The DE/TE from Marion 2 seasons ago was really good but a late bloomer. If he had played on a team like Graham that might have developed him sooner and allowed him to specialize a little he could have been really special.

Bradley Bunch from Union gets overlooked.  Kid was a good QB, would have been a better WR but definitely a special talent. 

[Football is Cool]

4 minutes ago, redtiger said:

I believe the other RB at Clintwood was Mancel Powers, smaller back but electric. In 2010, I believe, Powers and Meade probably rushed for 2500 yds. 

The Offensive Tackle for Clintwood in those years was the most dominant OL I've seen in this area. Can't remember his name but the kid was 6'7" and a well built 300lbs. Equally adept at down blocking on DTs as he was at pulling on Counter. Truly a specimen that no one talks about and for the life of me I cant remember his name.

Tanner O'Quinn was a really good WR for Haysi (2014).

Jeffrey Bowen was the RB for Haysi(2013), but he was a fantastic LB as was Tristan Yates(2014).  Together they manned the MLB positions at a average height of 5'7" and a combined weight of maybe 350lbs. Two mean little dudes for the Tigers.

CJ Crabtree was a really good RB for Central, 2k yards as a senior and over 4k for his career.

The RB for Galax in 2014(after Peoples) was a stud, very good wrestler too I believe. 

The DE/TE from Marion 2 seasons ago was really good but a late bloomer. If he had played on a team like Graham that might have developed him sooner and allowed him to specialize a little he could have been really special.

Bradley Bunch from Union gets overlooked.  Kid was a good QB, would have been a better WR but definitely a special talent. 

I believe the tackle your thinking of from Clintwood was Austin Kelley. If I recall correctly he was about the frame and played around the year they won state.