Coach Woody has his work cut out for him.

[DinwiddieProud]

It's been a long time since the Hilltoppers have been competitive. With only one win last year, and that over hapless Halifax County, there is no where to go but up.

Perhaps the biggest challenge is to get the defense to step up and slow down the onslaught of points put on them. It's awful hard to be in the game when you are playing from several scores down in the first half.

There are something like graduating 20 seniors on the 2015 roster. Maybe this turnover in kids isn't all bad. Hopefully the younger kids have accepted Coach Woody's coaching style and methods, and we will see a much more competitive team.

Let's hear it from you guys and gals out that way. Who will be on the team that we can expect to draw our attention?

I'm thinking that 3-7 is about all that can be expected, mainly because of a pretty tough schedule again. What do you think?

 

[shauntclair]

It's been a long time since the Hilltoppers have been competitive. With only one win last year, and that over hapless Halifax County, there is no where to go but up.

Perhaps the biggest challenge is to get the defense to step up and slow down the onslaught of points put on them. It's awful hard to be in the game when you are playing from several scores down in the first half.

There are something like graduating 20 seniors on the 2015 roster. Maybe this turnover in kids isn't all bad. Hopefully the younger kids have accepted Coach Woody's coaching style and methods, and we will see a much more competitive team.

Let's hear it from you guys and gals out that way. Who will be on the team that we can expect to draw our attention?

I'm thinking that 3-7 is about all that can be expected, mainly because of a pretty tough schedule again. What do you think?

It's Coach Woody. They'll be a decent team, even in year one. Could easily be a .500 team and in the playoffs. Even with a tough schedule.

 

[hamspear]

This guy is at another team? Am I wrong or does he move around a lot? Might be thinking of someone else.

 

[VolNation85_rivals]

This guy is at another team? Am I wrong or does he move around a lot? Might be thinking of someone else.

It depends on what you consider "a lot." He was head coach at Brookville for 7 years (3 as assistant prior to that), head coach at Monticello for 3 years before going to Glass last year.

 

[hamspear]

I consider that a lot , 4 schools in 12 years. Good luck to him.

 

[DinwiddieProud]

I don't know anything specific about Coach Woody, but he seems to be held in high regard. Can someone expand on his track record?

 

[bowlingref]

Rumor has it that several NOVA coaches applied for the Glass job and turned it down. Woody is a Lynchburg native and wanted to get back home. Another rumor. The Glass that is on Memorial Avenue now is not the Glass that was a AAA power house a few years ago. I hear lots of stuff about the culture of the athletes at Glass and it is not very conducive to winning lots of football games.

 

[mikesalem]

It's been a long time since the Hilltoppers have been competitive. With only one win last year, and that over hapless Halifax County, there is no where to go but up.

Perhaps the biggest challenge is to get the defense to step up and slow down the onslaught of points put on them. It's awful hard to be in the game when you are playing from several scores down in the first half.

There are something like graduating 20 seniors on the 2015 roster. Maybe this turnover in kids isn't all bad. Hopefully the younger kids have accepted Coach Woody's coaching style and methods, and we will see a much more competitive team.

Let's hear it from you guys and gals out that way. Who will be on the team that we can expect to draw our attention?

I'm thinking that 3-7 is about all that can be expected, mainly because of a pretty tough schedule again. What do you think?

Coach Woody's success or the lack thereof depends on him getting the players to the field and getting them to buy in. They haven't been significantly successful from what I can remember since a runner-up finish to Hampton in '95.They had 4 winning seasons from '99-'05 but they were all just above .500 seasons. Idk what their record was like from '96-'98 but basically they haven't been successful in 20 years since Bo Henson left. I'd like to see Coach Woody revive the program, but if it doesn't happen fairly soon he may look for greener pastures if a good opportunity pops up elsewhere. (Hope he does well)

 

[wikki]

It's been a long time since the Hilltoppers have been competitive. With only one win last year, and that over hapless Halifax County, there is no where to go but up.

Perhaps the biggest challenge is to get the defense to step up and slow down the onslaught of points put on them. It's awful hard to be in the game when you are playing from several scores down in the first half.

There are something like graduating 20 seniors on the 2015 roster. Maybe this turnover in kids isn't all bad. Hopefully the younger kids have accepted Coach Woody's coaching style and methods, and we will see a much more competitive team.

Let's hear it from you guys and gals out that way. Who will be on the team that we can expect to draw our attention?

I'm thinking that 3-7 is about all that can be expected, mainly because of a pretty tough schedule again. What do you think?

Heard from a reliable source that the kids are not buying in even with Woody

 

[shauntclair]

Heard from a reliable source that the kids are not buying in even with Woody

We'll see what happens but he has never had anything but success. From what I can see, he's never had an under .500 team as a HC and it's been awhile. Several State Championships too.

But to your point, he's not had to come into a program that has had a long history of struggle. A nice challenge for him. What has worked in the past, may not work now. But there is one thing I know about Woody. He can make mistakes, but not the same one twice. Kids play for this man. My gut says he will be successful.

 

[jbci04]

The biggest problem he faces is getting the community and parents involved. Once the kids see they have something else to play for it will help motivate them. It's pretty sad when even at a home game you have less fans than players...

 

[wikki]

The biggest problem he faces is getting the community and parents involved. Once the kids see they have something else to play for it will help motivate them. It's pretty sad when even at a home game you have less fans than players...

True but that is what he is struggling with

 

[tommythecpa]

Glass got Halifax in week 2. For the past few years, the Comets start getting better around week 4.
Henson was pushed out by the principal. Since then they have made the playoffs about 2 times.
I think the out of district schedule for 2017 will be easier.

 

[DinwiddieProud]

Glass got Halifax in week 2. For the past few years, the Comets start getting better around week 4.
Henson was pushed out by the principal. Since then they have made the playoffs about 2 times.
I think the out of district schedule for 2017 will be easier.[/QUOTE

Do you know who they have lined up for the next cycle, OOD?

jbc, I'm with you on the sadness of some of the crowds we all see. I know we have all been to games when there may not be more than 20-30 fans in a team's stands. And that may very well be some of the home crowds. I understand why it's that way a some of the older, inner city schools. But when you have county schools or similar, I just don't get it.

I'm rooting for Glass. I hope Coach Woody can find the magic button and get it turned around.

 

[tommythecpa]

Dropping GW

 

[bowlingref]

If you guys had ever been to Glass to officiate a basketball game or umpire a softball game like I have, you would soon realize why Richard Trent and Ben Martin left and Jeff Woody will struggle to win at Glass. The City of Lynchburg is a cess pool at this point in time. Hell Logan Thomas lived in Lynchburg and went to live with his cousin in the Brookville district to get out of playing for Glass. Years ago that deal went the other way.

 

[mikesalem]

If you guys had ever been to Glass to officiate a basketball game or umpire a softball game like I have, you would soon realize why Richard Trent and Ben Martin left and Jeff Woody will struggle to win at Glass. The City of Lynchburg is a cess pool at this point in time. Hell Logan Thomas lived in Lynchburg and went to live with his cousin in the Brookville district to get out of playing for Glass. Years ago that deal went the other way.

What do you think the difference is between Glass & Heritage, since you mentioned the city of Lynchburg is a cesspool? Is it the administration's attitude toward sports,specifically football? Unless things have completely changed the education aspect at Glass was still held in high esteem. Has it all gone to ****? I know football-wise things went downhill when Henson was let go. Bradley had quick success with Heritage. They didn't do well last year, but they were young. I consider Woody one of the best coaches in the business along with Bradley so fill me in on what you think is going on and who is causing the problem. Also, is it a football problem, sports as a whole problem, or Glass as a whole problem. I know there have been a lot of changes statewide, new demographic challenges, and football has gotten considerably more difficult at every level. Glass hasn't been football relevant in 20 years. A competitive team like Salem struggled at the state level in 4A for a few years with the shifts in population statewide and the changes the VHSL made. Glass has struggled even on the local level. What changes do you think need to be made to fix the problem? Do you foresee beneficial changes happening any time soon? Growing up in Lynchburg and now being away I'm not familiar with the changes and how they've dramatically affected things, it's perplexing to me.

 

[shauntclair]

Fans always come to the first home game. It's nice weather and the kids love the socializing (most don't watch the game at all). But they're there. woody's first challenge is win game one. Winners bring the fan's and grow the program. Bottom line.

GL to him and Glass.

 

[bowlingref]

What do you think the difference is between Glass & Heritage, since you mentioned the city of Lynchburg is a cesspool? Is it the administration's attitude toward sports,specifically football? Unless things have completely changed the education aspect at Glass was still held in high esteem. Has it all gone to ****? I know football-wise things went downhill when Henson was let go. Bradley had quick success with Heritage. They didn't do well last year, but they were young. I consider Woody one of the best coaches in the business along with Bradley so fill me in on what you think is going on and who is causing the problem. Also, is it a football problem, sports as a whole problem, or Glass as a whole problem. I know there have been a lot of changes statewide, new demographic challenges, and football has gotten considerably more difficult at every level. Glass hasn't been football relevant in 20 years. A competitive team like Salem struggled at the state level in 4A for a few years with the shifts in population statewide and the changes the VHSL made. Glass has struggled even on the local level. What changes do you think need to be made to fix the problem? Do you foresee beneficial changes happening any time soon? Growing up in Lynchburg and now being away I'm not familiar with the changes and how they've dramatically affected things, it's perplexing to me.

When Lynchburg annexed some of Campbell and Bedford Counties in 1976 Heritage was formed from mostly Brookville area kids. Some of the kids also came from the Rustburg zone. Not many from Bedford County. I think the line in Lynchburg is drawn where the Lynchburg City line used to be close to the Crown Sterling Restaurant. Heritage High is where Brookville High was until the mid 60's when the current Brookville High was built. Mainly is just different people from different areas and things have really changed in the Glass attendance zone.

 

[wikki]

Fans always come to the first home game. It's nice weather and the kids love the socializing (most don't watch the game at all). But they're there. woody's first challenge is win game one. Winners bring the fan's and grow the program. Bottom line.

GL to him and Glass.

True to some degree. That is the case with most schools but not Glass. If they didn't have such a big band, the stands would be almost empty. I heard from someone that works at the school, that the kids just don't have a buy in, not sure there is much Woody can do. We will see. Their attendance has been low for a long time. Heritage attendance is not much better, trust me I know. I went to Herittage's gave several years ago at city stadium for th state semifinal against Christiansburg and it was pitiful

 

[shauntclair]

True to some degree. That is the case with most schools but not Glass. If they didn't have such a big band, the stands would be almost empty. I heard from someone that works at the school, that the kids just don't have a buy in, not sure there is much Woody can do. We will see. Their attendance has been low for a long time. Heritage attendance is not much better, trust me I know. I went to Herittage's gave several years ago at city stadium for th state semifinal against Christiansburg and it was pitiful

We'll have to see here. I hope he can change things.

Also, it's been my experience that most schools always have plenty of room in the stands. I realize there are places where the home seats have to be claimed early and the crowd is terrific but I have never attended a game where I arrived more than 15 minutes before kickoff and had to struggle for place to sit. And I have never arrived at a HS game more than 15 minutes before kickoff.

 

[AMHERST #1]

Rumor has it that several NOVA coaches applied for the Glass job and turned it down. Woody is a Lynchburg native and wanted to get back home. Another rumor. The Glass that is on Memorial Avenue now is not the Glass that was a AAA power house a few years ago. I hear lots of stuff about the culture of the athletes at Glass and it is not very conducive to winning lots of football games.

They ran bo henson off an every since the program has been the team you schedule for homecoming. If the same regime is still there then he's gonna need luck.

 

[wikki]

We'll have to see here. I hope he can change things.

Also, it's been my experience that most schools always have plenty of room in the stands. I realize there are places where the home seats have to be claimed early and the crowd is terrific but I have never attended a game where I arrived more than 15 minutes before kickoff and had to struggle for place to sit. And I have never arrived at a HS game more than 15 minutes before kickoff.

I have

 

[Clarkefan]

I have

Me too. For the last several years, you gotta get to Clarke County HS early to get a decent seat. 15 years ago, it was easy to find a seat, then they started winning. The fences were always crowded though.

 

[shauntclair]

I have

I did realize that wHen I wrote the post. Places in VA are very different. But crowds are far more prevalent in the West. North, Central and East are predominantly not that way.

 

[DanvilleSportsHead_rivals]

Dropping GW

So GW won't be playing Glass next cycle?

 

[bowlingref]

One big problem with Glass and Heritage home games is the City Stadium parking. We went to a Hillcat's baseball game tonight and there was almost no one there and there was very few parking spaces left. If 10,000 showed up for a regional football game, they would be parking at River Ridge Mall and walking to City Stadium .

 

[wikki]

One big problem with Glass and Heritage home games is the City Stadium parking. We went to a Hillcat's baseball game tonight and there was almost no one there and there was very few parking spaces left. If 10,000 showed up for a regional football game, they would be parking at River Ridge Mall and walking to City Stadium .

True but they just don't have the fan base either

 

[mikesalem]

One big problem with Glass and Heritage home games is the City Stadium parking. We went to a Hillcat's baseball game tonight and there was almost no one there and there was very few parking spaces left. If 10,000 showed up for a regional football game, they would be parking at River Ridge Mall and walking to City Stadium .

True, they would have to offer shuttle service. I was thinking about that problem when it was suggested that the JF/Salem semifinal game could be played there.