Refreshing in this day and age

[Union_Fan]

Jumping in on the Union vs Graham talent since 2015.

I'd say 10 vs 10 were almost dead even, but nearly every year there was an 11th guy that was simply superior to the other team's 11th guy.

2015 - Union - James Mitchell 
2016 - DNP
2017 - Union - James Mitchell 
2018 - Graham - Cam Allen
2019 - Reg - Union - very fortunate bounces
2019 - PO - Graham - Devin Lester show
2020 - COVID - Union - no outstanding players. Last minute victory 
2021 - Reg/PO - All Graham - Bradshaw 
2022 - Reg - Graham - No real superstars, but GMen had an incredible line
2023 - Reg - Union - No Clements 
2023 - PO - Graham - Clements back
2024 - Reg/PO - Graham - GMen lights out Defense
2025 - Reg/PO - Union - distractions abound for GMen, Union with Bostic, Chandler and a great line

Awesome rivalry!

[Union_Fan]

4 hours ago, BigWinners said:

If Union manages their timeouts better and has 75% less delay penalties, it’s a success. 

It’s kind of crazy, having no idea what to expect. With the previous regime, you had a pretty good baseline of what you can expect in a season but this an entire new ballgame now. Highlight videos in July are a lot of fun and if you’re building a QB in NCAA, youd give them those measurables, but it’s still such a massive undertaking. All the mess, lotta people seemingly still out for blood (or answers, depending on perspectives), it’s a group of 14-18 year olds (and coaches, those still there who had to deal with an impossible situation) who have been put thru the ringer. I just hope the kids respond to Harless, he builds successful young adults and has a positive impact on the community.  He seems like a good dude with a tough mentality who wants kids to develop with character, all ylu can ask for in a HC. 
 

All I think is, I’d rather have to play Union in week two as opposed to week eight. 

 

Reading this (the week 2 reference), all I can think of is how bad Boone was last year and wondering if they will be any better this year.

[tornado99]

11 hours ago, Union_Fan said:

Jumping in on the Union vs Graham talent since 2015.

I'd say 10 vs 10 were almost dead even, but nearly every year there was an 11th guy that was simply superior to the other team's 11th guy.

2015 - Union - James Mitchell 
2016 - DNP
2017 - Union - James Mitchell 
2018 - Graham - Cam Allen
2019 - Reg - Union - very fortunate bounces
2019 - PO - Graham - Devin Lester show
2020 - COVID - Union - no outstanding players. Last minute victory 
2021 - Reg/PO - All Graham - Bradshaw 
2022 - Reg - Graham - No real superstars, but GMen had an incredible line
2023 - Reg - Union - No Clements 
2023 - PO - Graham - Clements back
2024 - Reg/PO - Graham - GMen lights out Defense
2025 - Reg/PO - Union - distractions abound for GMen, Union with Bostic, Chandler and a great line

Awesome rivalry!

Excellent breakdown! I guess what stood out to me was Graham’s home run hitters. It seemed to me like the Clements-Bradshaw era lasted longer than it did, but I don’t doubt you. 
I know I point it out often, especially compared to Richlands, but it was always frustrating when Graham would have the 1-2 guys that could take it to the house any given play, while we would have to drive the ball down the field. 
Since James Mitchell, except for Bostic, that pattern seemed to persist in my head. 
Great rivalry, and great post.

[Real Sasquatch]

I would think that Cambel Fix will be that guy for Graham this year.

[Union_Fan]

1 hour ago, tornado99 said:

Excellent breakdown! I guess what stood out to me was Graham’s home run hitters. It seemed to me like the Clements-Bradshaw era lasted longer than it did, but I don’t doubt you. 
I know I point it out often, especially compared to Richlands, but it was always frustrating when Graham would have the 1-2 guys that could take it to the house any given play, while we would have to drive the ball down the field. 
Since James Mitchell, except for Bostic, that pattern seemed to persist in my head. 
Great rivalry, and great post.

I'm with you. I thought Bradshaw was there for 6 years. Lol

I guess it was from the TOTAL damage he did while he was there. All those TDs on PR/KR! Geez.

[Fairlawncat]

GMan, you laughed at my post about the kid from Union playing D1 football. I want a Frosty Bet.  Now, important, I never said he would play D1 Quarterback.  I just wrote D1.  I know.....it's out there.  Lofty and crazy arse pick, but I'm sticking to it.  Actually, can I retract the Frosty?  I have traveled to Bluefield enough to know about Double Gates Hot Dogs and I love em.  I want to bet 3 Double Gates Dogs that this youngin plays D1 at some position. 

[Unchained]

11 minutes ago, Fairlawncat said:

GMan, you laughed at my post about the kid from Union playing D1 football. I want a Frosty Bet.  Now, important, I never said he would play D1 Quarterback.  I just wrote D1.  I know.....it's out there.  Lofty and crazy arse pick, but I'm sticking to it.  Actually, can I retract the Frosty?  I have traveled to Bluefield enough to know about Double Gates Hot Dogs and I love em.  I want to bet 3 Double Gates Dogs that this youngin plays D1 at some position. 

He had a stellar last year in the Union secondary. He's also a good baseball player.

[Gridiron60]

1 hour ago, Union_Fan said:

I'm with you. I thought Bradshaw was there for 6 years. Lol

 

I felt that way with the Creasy kid from Tazewell. I swear he played for what seemed like 10 years 😂😂😂. 

[Union_Fan]

2 hours ago, Gridiron60 said:

I felt that way with the Creasy kid from Tazewell. I swear he played for what seemed like 10 years 😂😂😂. 

Shew, the same with O'Quinn from Ridgeview. I'm about positive that they were in HS as part of a 21 Jump Street program 10 years after they really graduated. 😂

[Real Sasquatch]

31 minutes ago, Union_Fan said:

Shew, the same with O'Quinn from Ridgeview. I'm about positive that they were in HS as part of a 21 Jump Street program 10 years after they really graduated. 😂

We all felt the same about Keith Chandler too.

[goose111874]

19 hours ago, Union_Fan said:

Reading this (the week 2 reference), all I can think of is how bad Boone was last year and wondering if they will be any better this year.

I mean can they be any worse?  Gotta be in the top 5 worst teams I’ve ever seen and I’m counting 1a.

[Union_Fan]

26 minutes ago, goose111874 said:

I mean can they be any worse?  Gotta be in the top 5 worst teams I’ve ever seen and I’m counting 1a.

I'm pretty sure they have the best 2 players back from last year, so shouldn't be worse. That's all I'm willing to say at this point. Haha 

[Unchained]

30 minutes ago, Union_Fan said:

I'm pretty sure they have the best 2 players back from last year, so shouldn't be worse. That's all I'm willing to say at this point. Haha 

Dru Fleming is a solid athlete with no help. 

[tornado99]

I saw the Union weight room attendance stats year over year. Very impressive results from Coach Harless, the coaches, and especially the kids.

[FBDevotee]

It appears that the Union Bears will dress 60 on this year's gridiron squad; the football team certainly has plenty of size, strength, and depth. Bullitt Park will be a difficult place to play for visiting teams (Last season the Bears were 8 & 1 at home). Regular season match ups with Graham and Abingdon in Big Stone Gap should be fun to watch.