M7 standouts per team?

[KevinG]

Thoughts?

[rdh2443]

I would be interesting to hear some names of players on other M7 team’s myself. I know there are a couple returning for Abingdon, GC, Union and I’ve heard Lee but can’t put names with teams. I know RV has several impact players that made huge differences last year such as Collin Hill, Alex Grant, Gunner McCoy, Logan Justice, Xander Wallace, Landon Yates, Braxton Deel and a few more all in the same class except for Gunner who will be a senior this year. I think the M7 will be very competitive this year man. Combined with out of district games it may be a year where the top four teams have at least two losses. I know RV has to play that beast of a team Bluefield the 4th game of the season.

[BigWinners]

16 hours ago, rdh2443 said:

I would be interesting to hear some names of players on other M7 team’s myself. I know there are a couple returning for Abingdon, GC, Union and I’ve heard Lee but can’t put names with teams. I know RV has several impact players that made huge differences last year such as Collin Hill, Alex Grant, Gunner McCoy, Logan Justice, Xander Wallace, Landon Yates, Braxton Deel and a few more all in the same class except for Gunner who will be a senior this year. I think the M7 will be very competitive this year man. Combined with out of district games it may be a year where the top four teams have at least two losses. I know RV has to play that beast of a team Bluefield the 4th game of the season.

Id be stunned if any M7 team finishes 10-0. The gap between the top team and 2-4 will likely be minuscule this season, no juggernaut team with outsized expectations. The Grant kid from RV was electric, felt like he should have prob gotten more touches last year. 
 

For Union, lotta production to replace. Polier is a returning starter with a lot of success on the defensive line. Hall taking over at QB, has a great arm and has wheels despite being significantly bigger than Bostic. No team in 2A loses three players like Bostic, Chandler and Anderson and just reloads so Union will have to have several kids step up to fill that void. Id say you’ll see a group of kids with 10-15 touches a game instead of two kids getting 50 touches between them. 

[rdh2443]

1 hour ago, BigWinners said:

Id be stunned if any M7 team finishes 10-0. The gap between the top team and 2-4 will likely be minuscule this season, no juggernaut team with outsized expectations. The Grant kid from RV was electric, felt like he should have prob gotten more touches last year. 
 

For Union, lotta production to replace. Polier is a returning starter with a lot of success on the defensive line. Hall taking over at QB, has a great arm and has wheels despite being significantly bigger than Bostic. No team in 2A loses three players like Bostic, Chandler and Anderson and just reloads so Union will have to have several kids step up to fill that void. Id say you’ll see a group of kids with 10-15 touches a game instead of two kids getting 50 touches between them. 

Yea man, losing those players for Union is tough because they were and are amazing athletes. I promise you this, know one in Dickenson County thinks Union is going to be down that much if at all. Nor any other team, just everyone is more even. We expect every game for RV to have to be earned like the second half of last year. When it comes to Union it’s all about trying get the W for RV. The top four team though RV, Union, Abingdon, and GC are going to be hard to separate and none of those coaches can be caught sleeping at the wheel man. I am also seeing a lot of talk about Lee, heck who knows pal, just can’t be more excited for competitive season where every game will Count for every team in the M7!

[Unchained]

2 hours ago, BigWinners said:

Id be stunned if any M7 team finishes 10-0. The gap between the top team and 2-4 will likely be minuscule this season, no juggernaut team with outsized expectations. The Grant kid from RV was electric, felt like he should have prob gotten more touches last year. 
 

For Union, lotta production to replace. Polier is a returning starter with a lot of success on the defensive line. Hall taking over at QB, has a great arm and has wheels despite being significantly bigger than Bostic. No team in 2A loses three players like Bostic, Chandler and Anderson and just reloads so Union will have to have several kids step up to fill that void. Id say you’ll see a group of kids with 10-15 touches a game instead of two kids getting 50 touches between them. 

The part that I am going to love is that folks think with Chandler gone, they will get a break. Dillman is very much going to be the same bullish ballcarrier:)

[rdh2443]

1 hour ago, Unchained said:

The part that I am going to love is that folks think with Chandler gone, they will get a break. Dillman is very much going to be the same bullish ballcarrier:)

I’m sure…nothing like a great player/players who have something to prove man. Last thing anyone wants to do is make any of the top four teams feel like they are being undervalued and need to prove something. RV is a great example from  last year. Imagine how amazing the games will be if there is 4-5 teams playing with the same point to prove…WOW

[Fairlawncat]

3 hours ago, rdh2443 said:

I’m sure…nothing like a great player/players who have something to prove man. Last thing anyone wants to do is make any of the top four teams feel like they are being undervalued and need to prove something. RV is a great example from  last year. Imagine how amazing the games will be if there is 4-5 teams playing with the same point to prove…WOW

Union has had Polier and others over the years including Chandler. No surprise that another Polier/Chandler type steps up. That's Union and Union equals great footballers and great talent. Will be the same thing in 10 years from now. Some brutish monster looking for contact toting the rock and making defenders miserable.

[tornado99]

On 7/11/2026 at 3:50 PM, Unchained said:

The part that I am going to love is that folks think with Chandler gone, they will get a break. Dillman is very much going to be the same bullish ballcarrier:)

Will Union rely on this like Chandler/Polier or a 2-3 headed monster as they had in the mid 2010s with Zirkle/Honeycutt/Guerrant where you had to pick your poison with speed or power?

[Unchained]

1 hour ago, tornado99 said:

Will Union rely on this like Chandler/Polier or a 2-3 headed monster as they had in the mid 2010s with Zirkle/Honeycutt/Guerrant where you had to pick your poison with speed or power?

 Per Mojo's write up:

2026 Road to Friday Night Lights Summer Camp Tour – Union Bears

Brought to you by Mid Mountain Heating & Cooling

Matt Mullins - Mountain Mojo Sports

There’s a different feeling around Appalachia and Big Stone Gap this summer. Not panic. Not uncertainty. Just energy.

There’s a new sheriff in town.

Jamie Harless arrives in Big Stone Gap after a successful 14 year run at Class 3 Lord Botetourt, taking over one of Southwest Virginia’s premier football programs. Since Union opened its doors in 2011, the Bears have never missed the playoffs. Last season they captured the Mountain 7 District Championship, the Region D Championship, rolled to a 13-1 record and stood just one point away from punching their ticket to Salem before falling to Glenvar, 21-20, in the most heartbreaking games the program has ever seen.

For most programs, a loss like that leaves scars. At Union it has left motivation.

A new era has officially begun in Big Stone Gap, but don’t mistake “new” for “starting over.” The expectations haven’t changed. If anything, they’ve only grown louder.

Replacing a senior class that featured program legends like playmakers Kam Bostic, Keith Chandler, Cam Wharton, Carlos Anderson, Braxton Bunch, Josh Guerrant, along with linemen Jacob Horton, Brayden Chandler and Chris May is no small task. Those players helped establish one of the most successful seasons in school history.

Now it’s someone else’s turn.

Senior Abe Hall has patiently waited for this opportunity and now steps into the spotlight at quarterback after starring in the secondary last season. Harless believes Hall has earned the chance, and all eyes will be on the senior signal caller as he leads one of the area’s most tradition rich programs. Behind him, Kaden “Fred” Dillman returns healthy after battling through injuries for much of last season. The junior tailback/linebacker played through pain that most grown men would have struggled to endure, and now, after surgery and a full offseason, he’ll be asked to shoulder much of the offensive workload.

“It feels great to be back and healthy after surgery,” Dillman said. “I’m just excited to get back after it. We know everybody is going to be gunning for us, so we have to take it one week at a time and can’t overlook anybody. Last year’s team was great, and you can’t replace those guys, but we’re up for the challenge to try and get back to where we were.”

The Bears won’t lack playmakers. Rayvon Jones, Abe Potter, Cam Maddux, Elijah Lomax, Kylan Long and Kaiden Keith all possess the ability to change a game in an instant, giving Hall plenty of weapons as Union reloads instead of rebuilds.

Up front, Harless will have his fingerprints all over the offensive line as he takes over coaching the position himself. Returning starters Talen Wharton and Kaleb Stacy provide experience, while several hungry linemen continue battling for the remaining spots throughout camp.

If there’s one thing Harless has emphasized since arriving in Big Stone Gap, it’s competition. Nothing has been handed out. Everything has been earned.

Defensively, the Bears appear primed to once again be one of the Mountain 7’s toughest units. Junior defensive end Matty Polier returns after an impressive sophomore campaign and looks ready for a breakout season. Deegan Tavernier, Potter, Stacy, Dillman, Keith and Diesel Roberts also return after playing major roles during last year’s championship run.

“We’ve been putting in a lot of hard work in the weight room and even on our own,” Polier said. “We wouldn’t have it any other way. We’re picking up Coach’s system, so it’s been a smooth transition. We’re just excited to get going.”

Roberts believes the standard set by last year’s senior class isn’t changing anytime soon.

“We lost some good linemen last year, so I’m hoping I can carry on their leadership roles and help these other guys out,” Roberts said. “The transition to Coach Harless has been great. I love him. He expects a lot from us, and we’re going to play hard for him every game.”

Harless has seen championship football before. He’s coached in 13 regional championship games over the last 17 seasons, so carrying the weight of expectations isn’t anything new. When asked about defending both the Mountain 7 and Region D titles, his answer came without hesitation.

“Normal. No different than any other year I’ve coached. I think in the last 17 years I’ve coached in 13 region championships, so it just feels normal. Hopefully we’re fortunate enough to make it back to that game.”

The veteran coach likes what he’s seen throughout the offseason but knows August always tells the real story.

“These guys have been working extremely hard. We’ve established a culture that you’ve got to work hard. We’ve seen a lot of growth in speed and strength, but you never really know what it all means until you get out there and the bullets are flying. I feel really optimistic about this year, but when you lose so many talented kids from last year’s team, it’s hard to gauge how the season will go.”

If the schedule wasn’t challenging enough already, Union opens with what many believe will be a much improved Lee High squad before facing Daniel Boone and welcoming perennial powerhouse Graham to Bullitt Park in Week 3. Add Tazewell, Lebanon and another grueling Mountain 7 slate, and there won’t be many nights off for the defending champions.

Maybe that’s exactly how Union likes it. Outside of Big Stone Gap, there are people wondering if the Bears can defend their district and regional crowns after graduating so much talent. Inside the locker room? Nobody seems interested in answering the doubters with words.

They’re planning to answer them on Friday nights. The team seems laser focused and dialed in to what Coach Harless and staff are building. Every instruction in today’s stop was answered with a “Yes Sir”. A sign that respect and trust has been earned.

Bullitt Park has always been one of Southwest Virginia’s toughest places to play, and with a fresh voice leading a proud tradition, the excitement around Union football feels different this summer. The culture has a renewed edge. The competition has intensified. The players are locked in. The names may have changed but the standard hasn’t. And if the rest of Southwest Virginia is overlooking the reigning Mountain 7 District and Region D champions…they might be making the same mistake twice.

 

 

[Unchained]

4 things about the Harless interview that impressed me

1. The quick smirk when he was asked about how it would feel going after another regional crown and how fast he said "normal" 13 region title games in 17 years at LB. It wasn't at all arrogant-just confident

2 When he said the strength increase and line growth and speed has been shocking (the good kind). The O-line is the question going in

3 His last comment about after being asked what he wants folks to remember about this team and he said, "discipline and high character". THIS hammered my point about making the refreshing post home:)

4. Roberts in his interview said "I love him. He expects a lot from us and we are going to play hard for him"-nuff said!

[tornado99]

2 hours ago, Unchained said:

 Per Mojo's write up:

2026 Road to Friday Night Lights Summer Camp Tour – Union Bears

Brought to you by Mid Mountain Heating & Cooling

Matt Mullins - Mountain Mojo Sports

There’s a different feeling around Appalachia and Big Stone Gap this summer. Not panic. Not uncertainty. Just energy.

There’s a new sheriff in town.

Jamie Harless arrives in Big Stone Gap after a successful 14 year run at Class 3 Lord Botetourt, taking over one of Southwest Virginia’s premier football programs. Since Union opened its doors in 2011, the Bears have never missed the playoffs. Last season they captured the Mountain 7 District Championship, the Region D Championship, rolled to a 13-1 record and stood just one point away from punching their ticket to Salem before falling to Glenvar, 21-20, in the most heartbreaking games the program has ever seen.

For most programs, a loss like that leaves scars. At Union it has left motivation.

A new era has officially begun in Big Stone Gap, but don’t mistake “new” for “starting over.” The expectations haven’t changed. If anything, they’ve only grown louder.

Replacing a senior class that featured program legends like playmakers Kam Bostic, Keith Chandler, Cam Wharton, Carlos Anderson, Braxton Bunch, Josh Guerrant, along with linemen Jacob Horton, Brayden Chandler and Chris May is no small task. Those players helped establish one of the most successful seasons in school history.

Now it’s someone else’s turn.

Senior Abe Hall has patiently waited for this opportunity and now steps into the spotlight at quarterback after starring in the secondary last season. Harless believes Hall has earned the chance, and all eyes will be on the senior signal caller as he leads one of the area’s most tradition rich programs. Behind him, Kaden “Fred” Dillman returns healthy after battling through injuries for much of last season. The junior tailback/linebacker played through pain that most grown men would have struggled to endure, and now, after surgery and a full offseason, he’ll be asked to shoulder much of the offensive workload.

“It feels great to be back and healthy after surgery,” Dillman said. “I’m just excited to get back after it. We know everybody is going to be gunning for us, so we have to take it one week at a time and can’t overlook anybody. Last year’s team was great, and you can’t replace those guys, but we’re up for the challenge to try and get back to where we were.”

The Bears won’t lack playmakers. Rayvon Jones, Abe Potter, Cam Maddux, Elijah Lomax, Kylan Long and Kaiden Keith all possess the ability to change a game in an instant, giving Hall plenty of weapons as Union reloads instead of rebuilds.

Up front, Harless will have his fingerprints all over the offensive line as he takes over coaching the position himself. Returning starters Talen Wharton and Kaleb Stacy provide experience, while several hungry linemen continue battling for the remaining spots throughout camp.

If there’s one thing Harless has emphasized since arriving in Big Stone Gap, it’s competition. Nothing has been handed out. Everything has been earned.

Defensively, the Bears appear primed to once again be one of the Mountain 7’s toughest units. Junior defensive end Matty Polier returns after an impressive sophomore campaign and looks ready for a breakout season. Deegan Tavernier, Potter, Stacy, Dillman, Keith and Diesel Roberts also return after playing major roles during last year’s championship run.

“We’ve been putting in a lot of hard work in the weight room and even on our own,” Polier said. “We wouldn’t have it any other way. We’re picking up Coach’s system, so it’s been a smooth transition. We’re just excited to get going.”

Roberts believes the standard set by last year’s senior class isn’t changing anytime soon.

“We lost some good linemen last year, so I’m hoping I can carry on their leadership roles and help these other guys out,” Roberts said. “The transition to Coach Harless has been great. I love him. He expects a lot from us, and we’re going to play hard for him every game.”

Harless has seen championship football before. He’s coached in 13 regional championship games over the last 17 seasons, so carrying the weight of expectations isn’t anything new. When asked about defending both the Mountain 7 and Region D titles, his answer came without hesitation.

“Normal. No different than any other year I’ve coached. I think in the last 17 years I’ve coached in 13 region championships, so it just feels normal. Hopefully we’re fortunate enough to make it back to that game.”

The veteran coach likes what he’s seen throughout the offseason but knows August always tells the real story.

“These guys have been working extremely hard. We’ve established a culture that you’ve got to work hard. We’ve seen a lot of growth in speed and strength, but you never really know what it all means until you get out there and the bullets are flying. I feel really optimistic about this year, but when you lose so many talented kids from last year’s team, it’s hard to gauge how the season will go.”

If the schedule wasn’t challenging enough already, Union opens with what many believe will be a much improved Lee High squad before facing Daniel Boone and welcoming perennial powerhouse Graham to Bullitt Park in Week 3. Add Tazewell, Lebanon and another grueling Mountain 7 slate, and there won’t be many nights off for the defending champions.

Maybe that’s exactly how Union likes it. Outside of Big Stone Gap, there are people wondering if the Bears can defend their district and regional crowns after graduating so much talent. Inside the locker room? Nobody seems interested in answering the doubters with words.

They’re planning to answer them on Friday nights. The team seems laser focused and dialed in to what Coach Harless and staff are building. Every instruction in today’s stop was answered with a “Yes Sir”. A sign that respect and trust has been earned.

Bullitt Park has always been one of Southwest Virginia’s toughest places to play, and with a fresh voice leading a proud tradition, the excitement around Union football feels different this summer. The culture has a renewed edge. The competition has intensified. The players are locked in. The names may have changed but the standard hasn’t. And if the rest of Southwest Virginia is overlooking the reigning Mountain 7 District and Region D champions…they might be making the same mistake twice.

 

 

Great article. Thank you for sharing. Not being familiar with these kids going back to my question, are the playmakers primarily backs or receivers? I guess a better question would be what scheme they are using? Thanks.

[Unchained]

13 minutes ago, tornado99 said:

Great article. Thank you for sharing. Not being familiar with these kids going back to my question, are the playmakers primarily backs or receivers? I guess a better question would be what scheme they are using? Thanks.

Dillman is very much a Chandler type back and ridiculously tough kid who played with a herniated disc last year. Receiving corps will be hard to handle. I haven't seen all the plays obviously, but we all know that an ex-OL like Harless is going to pound the rock. I think the difference this year with him will be if the opponent load the box, he has more ways to burn defenses. Hall is a big, mobile QB with an absolute cannon for an arm. Having that size to be able to easily see over the line without having to roll out will be nice :). We will never replace a kid like Bostic with that speed, but Hall is no slouch. Polier as solid as a DE as he is going to be special on offense at TE-a high school Gronk:). Union fans are so used to nothing but the side/seams/screens, if we see a pass over the middle may have a Fred Sanford moment lol.

[Union_Fan]

2 hours ago, tornado99 said:

Great article. Thank you for sharing. Not being familiar with these kids going back to my question, are the playmakers primarily backs or receivers? I guess a better question would be what scheme they are using? Thanks.

Assuming he runs the same thing, LB ran a Slot T with a lot of misdirection and overloading the ends.

Can be a fast paced, no huddle style if they choose. Enough passing to keep teams honest. Just what I've seen on a little bit of film from last Fall.

It will be interesting to see how he uses each player.