Graham vs Pulaski

[Real Sasquatch]

Thoughts on this one?
Don't know much about PC other then they are supposed to be young, but they are 4A and Graham is 2A. Graham is 6-0 and seem to be hitting their stride. They have 4 star recruit Brody Meadows on the OL heading to UVA and 3 star Athlete Xayvion Bradshaw, son of former NFL player Ahmad Bradshaw, who is being recruited heavily by a number of D-1 schools, including Michigan State and Notre Dame. Graham is coming off of a 56-23 win over previously un-beaten Virginia High. and has quality wins against Bluefield, WV, Galax and Union, VA.

 

[Gridiron60]

Graham is improving each week. They’re winning at the LOS on both sides of the ball. Lots of talent and defense is getting nastier each outing. I know nothing about Pulaski, other than they have an all-star coach in Dixon and he’ll have them prepared the best he can. I also think our coaches will have our boys prepared too. I hope GMen can pull out the win.

 

[Fairlawncat]

Graham is improving each week. They’re winning at the LOS on both sides of the ball. Lots of talent and defense is getting nastier each outing. I know nothing about Pulaski, other than they have an all-star coach in Dixon and he’ll have them prepared the best he can. I also think our coaches will have our boys prepared too. I hope GMen can pull out the win.

Watching you guys the last two weeks with the way you beat Bluefield and VA High, the G-Men look a whole lot like 2018 to me. Graham is going to be hard for anyone to beat when they don't beat themselves. Just seems to have weapons all over the field, not just Bradshaw, but two other WRs, the RB, the QB, all of them just dangerous to house it from anywhere on the field on any down. With the defense replicating the offense, it's going to be difficult to beat Graham at the 2A level this year.

 

[Fairlawncat]

Pulaski will be a tough opponent. Minus the blowout loss to Salem, Pulaski is a couple of plays from being 6-1 instead of 4-3. The combined record of the three teams that beat them is 17-5. I think Pulaskis two losses other than Salem were by a combined 8 points. They are better than their record.

 

[Stabler1980]

Watching you guys the last two weeks with the way you beat Bluefield and VA High, the G-Men look a whole lot like 2018 to me. Graham is going to be hard for anyone to beat when they don't beat themselves. Just seems to have weapons all over the field, not just Bradshaw, but two other WRs, the RB, the QB, all of them just dangerous to house it from anywhere on the field on any down. With the defense replicating the offense, it's going to be difficult to beat Graham at the 2A level this year.

Ummm ok!

 

[Fairlawncat]

Ummm ok!

Stabler, I still think Appo is the team to beat and favs. I wrote it would be difficult for any 2A team to beat the G-Men. I didn't say they couldn't be beat or that Graham wouldn't lose. I stand by the statement. Graham is very good and they may lose, but it's going to be difficult to beat em. Just like it will be for Appo. Trying to beat them, any team better pack a lunch.

 

[oldfool2]

I'm probably wrong but my gut tells me pulaski wins by 6 points.

 

[catchtds]

Stabler, I still think Appo is the team to beat and favs. I wrote it would be difficult for any 2A team to beat the G-Men. I didn't say they couldn't be beat or that Graham wouldn't lose. I stand by the statement. Graham is very good and they may lose, but it's going to be difficult to beat em. Just like it will be for Appo. Trying to beat them, any team better pack a lunch.

Appo is always good. I don't think they beat Graham this year, if they play.

 

[Gridiron60]

I'm probably wrong but my gut tells me pulaski wins by 6 points.

Well, I hope your gut is wrong by a lot, lol!

 

[Stabler1980]

Stabler, I still think Appo is the team to beat and favs. I wrote it would be difficult for any 2A team to beat the G-Men. I didn't say they couldn't be beat or that Graham wouldn't lose. I stand by the statement. Graham is very good and they may lose, but it's going to be difficult to beat em. Just like it will be for Appo. Trying to beat them, any team better pack a lunch.

You could be right ! Just have to what and see how it works out .

 

[Stabler1980]

Appo is always good. I don't think they beat Graham this year, if they play

Hope they will have the chance to play , might be a good one !

 

[Stabler1980]

You could be right ! Just have to what and see how it works out .

If they have a chance to meet n the semis where would that game be at fairlawn ! I think appo will out point Glenvar for the 1 seed in region C , will it be determined by rating or is it alternating regions ? Thanks

 

[Fairlawncat]

If they have a chance to meet n the semis where would that game be at fairlawn ! I think appo will out point Glenvar for the 1 seed in region C , will it be determined by rating or is it alternating regions ? Thanks

Graham if they beat PC, will finish undefeated and outpoint Appo and Glenvar. If Graham wins Region D, the Region C winner will travel to West Virginia, at Mitchell Stadium in Bluefield to play on Graham's shared home stadium with AA WV powerhouse, Bluefield High Beavers. This would be likely a first for Appo in playing a state semi game outside the state of Virginia. It may be a first for Appo in playing any game outside the state of Virginia (I don't know).

That stadium is also not an easy place to play regardless of Graham. Bluefield, VA is the highest elevated town in Virginia and Bluefield, WV, is equally as tall. For teams back west in the mountains like Union, Richlands, etc, they are used to that altitude and it's not a huge increase for them, but for a team in the Piedmont with near sea level elevation, it does have an effect and does serve as a small advantage for Graham. But, I think Appo could play in the North Pole and do well. Big Stone Gap (Union) is 1500 feet elevation. Bluefield, WV is over 2600 feet elevation (over half a mile) and that actually is a decent size difference, especially if the game is nailbitingly close in the 4th quarter.

The stadium itself sets on a hill (almost like the tip of a mountain ridge), so actual stadium elevation is probably around 2800 feet. That may not seem like a bunch, but High School kids aren't professional athletes and going from near sea level to roughly 2800 feet or over half of a mile in the air has to matter some, but how much it matters, I have no idea.

Lots of football though Glenvar and even Radford, Union, Central, Ridgeview, and VA High are all pretty good. Graham and Appo are a long ways away if they do meet up.

 

[Real Sasquatch]

I'm probably wrong but my gut tells me pulaski wins by 6 points.

I think Graham wins pretty handily. As I said before, I don't know much about PC other then the scores I have seen and a little bit of NFHS footabge. Graham has a lot of offensive fire-power. More offensive weapons then the 2019 team. Defense is coming along, but the LB play is not up to the level of the 2019 team. The 2018 Graham team was unreal on both sides of the ball, so I'm not comparing them to that team at all. (Cam Allen - 3rd all time in total touchdowns scored in VA history for Graham that seasosn). However, this team has potential to be better than the 2019 team, if the defense continues to improve. The offense, is more dimensional then 2019, I know Graham had Lester at QB, but Graham's lineplay is better this season and they have several receivers and a stronger running game then 2019. Very good play at the QB position, as well. The D-Line is big and strong, the linebackers are young, but athletic and strong and coming along nicely. The secondary is very strong with Bradshaw, Clements and Watkins back there. Not many weak areas for the G-Men this year. Very balanced and strong at every position. They were having trouble with lazy tackling early on, but seem to have corrected that.

 

[Real Sasquatch]

Hope they will have the chance to play , might be a good one !

I would love to see the Raiders come to Mitchell Stadium to play the G-Men this year. A lot of football left, however.

 

[oldfool2]

Graham if they beat PC, will finish undefeated and outpoint Appo and Glenvar. If Graham wins Region D, the Region C winner will travel to West Virginia, at Mitchell Stadium in Bluefield to play on Graham's shared home stadium with AA WV powerhouse, Bluefield High Beavers. This would be likely a first for Appo in playing a state semi game outside the state of Virginia. It may be a first for Appo in playing any game outside the state of Virginia (I don't know).

That stadium is also not an easy place to play regardless of Graham. Bluefield, VA is the highest elevated town in Virginia and Bluefield, WV, is equally as tall. For teams back west in the mountains like Union, Richlands, etc, they are used to that altitude and it's not a huge increase for them, but for a team in the Piedmont with near sea level elevation, it does have an effect and does serve as a small advantage for Graham. But, I think Appo could play in the North Pole and do well. Big Stone Gap (Union) is 1500 feet elevation. Bluefield, WV is over 2600 feet elevation (over half a mile) and that actually is a decent size difference, especially if the game is nailbitingly close in the 4th quarter.

The stadium itself sets on a hill (almost like the tip of a mountain ridge), so actual stadium elevation is probably around 2800 feet. That may not seem like a bunch, but High School kids aren't professional athletes and going from near sea level to roughly 2800 feet or over half of a mile in the air has to matter some, but how much it matters, I have no idea.

Lots of football though Glenvar and even Radford, Union, Central, Ridgeview, and VA High are all pretty good. Graham and Appo are a long ways away if they do meet up.

I went to Bluefield College and dont remember any problems due to elevation. I do remember it snowed often and we sat ice trays on the window ledge for ice lol. Drawbacks were going to clubs back then and not having a problem with Graham players or the coal miners!! Yeah Appo will have to travel to Glenvar and then to Graham if we make it past Glenvar. Unless of course covid rears it's ugly head and throws a monkey wrench in the works.

 

[Stabler1980]

Graham if they beat PC, will finish undefeated and outpoint Appo and Glenvar. If Graham wins Region D, the Region C winner will travel to West Virginia, at Mitchell Stadium in Bluefield to play on Graham's shared home stadium with AA WV powerhouse, Bluefield High Beavers. This would be likely a first for Appo in playing a state semi game outside the state of Virginia. It may be a first for Appo in playing any game outside the state of Virginia (I don't know).

That stadium is also not an easy place to play regardless of Graham. Bluefield, VA is the highest elevated town in Virginia and Bluefield, WV, is equally as tall. For teams back west in the mountains like Union, Richlands, etc, they are used to that altitude and it's not a huge increase for them, but for a team in the Piedmont with near sea level elevation, it does have an effect and does serve as a small advantage for Graham. But, I think Appo could play in the North Pole and do well. Big Stone Gap (Union) is 1500 feet elevation. Bluefield, WV is over 2600 feet elevation (over half a mile) and that actually is a decent size difference, especially if the game is nailbitingly close in the 4th quarter.

The stadium itself sets on a hill (almost like the tip of a mountain ridge), so actual stadium elevation is probably around 2800 feet. That may not seem like a bunch, but High School kids aren't professional athletes and going from near sea level to roughly 2800 feet or over half of a mile in the air has to matter some, but how much it matters, I have no idea.

Lots of football though Glenvar and even Radford, Union, Central, Ridgeview, and VA High are all pretty good. Graham and Appo are a long ways away if they do meet up.

Yes I went to a game there a few yrs ago to watch Graham and Richlands play ! I also was there at a game many yrs ago when Graham hosted Rustburg on a grass field covered with snow and ice and they put water on the field to slow down rustburgs running game and it worked ! Great stadium and had a great time on both trips there .

 

[Fairlawncat]

Yes I went to a game there a few yrs ago to watch Graham and Richlands play ! I also was there at a game many yrs ago when Graham hosted Rustburg on a grass field covered with snow and ice and they put water on the field to slow down rustburgs running game and it worked ! Great stadium and had a great time on both trips there .

The Graham of 89. Had an article on them that year in USA Today as the last team in the United States (that year, in 1989) to be scored on. I think they started the first 8 games without giving up a point, went on to beat a Southampton team in the state title game that was led by All-American Riddick Parker and future All-American Percy Ellsworth. Both played in the NFL. I remember this well. I was on the Radford team that lost to Graham in the second round of the Region 4 playoffs that year (Region Championship Game). Rustburg was very good as was Southampton and Giles was good, but believe it or not, the second best Div 3 team in the state that year was probably us (Radford).

Graham's only loss that year was at Salem in a game where Graham had 412 Total Yards and 4 turnovers to Salem's 205 yds and zero turnovers. I still have the Roanoke Times Sports Pages for every week of the 87 through 93 seasons. Blacksburg would go on to beat Salem in Div 4 in the playoffs that year led by standout running back Jerome Trussell and Blacksburg won the state title at the Div 4 level. Graham beat Blacksburg in the regular season that year 26-0. The 89 Graham team was the hardest I've ever been hit from little league through playing college ball at William and Mary.

 

[SWDRules]

Yes I went to a game there a few yrs ago to watch Graham and Richlands play ! I also was there at a game many yrs ago when Graham hosted Rustburg on a grass field covered with snow and ice and they put water on the field to slow down rustburgs running game and it worked ! Great stadium and had a great time on both trips there .

There was no water put on the field. That's a myth perpetrated by Rustburg to make an excuse for getting their *** kicked. It snowed then warmed up a little on an already well worn field. Rustburg even tried to make Graham pay for their dirty uniforms. Our current coach broke his ankle on the first play of the second half of that game. And we ended up having lost both starting running backs to broken ankles in consecutive weeks.

 

[SWDRules]

Radford was 2nd best team in state that year and could've easily won it had they got by us.

 

[Real Sasquatch]

Yes I went to a game there a few yrs ago to watch Graham and Richlands play ! I also was there at a game many yrs ago when Graham hosted Rustburg on a grass field covered with snow and ice and they put water on the field to slow down rustburgs running game and it worked ! Great stadium and had a great time on both trips there .

That is total B.S. . We had several inches of snow just days before that game. Tired of hearing that excuse. Graham would have beaten rustburg that day if they were wearing ice skates.

 

[Real Sasquatch]

The Graham of 89. Had an article on them that year in USA Today as the last team in the United States (that year, in 1989) to be scored on. I think they started the first 8 games without giving up a point, went on to beat a Southampton team in the state title game that was led by All-American Riddick Parker and future All-American Percy Ellsworth. Both played in the NFL. I remember this well. I was on the Radford team that lost to Graham in the second round of the Region 4 playoffs that year (Region Championship Game). Rustburg was very good as was Southampton and Giles was good, but believe it or not, the second best Div 3 team in the state that year was probably us (Radford).

Graham's only loss that year was at Salem in a game where Graham had 412 Total Yards and 4 turnovers to Salem's 205 yds and zero turnovers. I still have the Roanoke Times Sports Pages for every week of the 87 through 93 seasons. Blacksburg would go on to beat Salem in Div 4 in the playoffs that year led by standout running back Jerome Trussell and Blacksburg won the state title at the Div 4 level. Graham beat Blacksburg in the regular season that year 26-0. The 89 Graham team was the hardest I've ever been hit from little league through playing college ball at William and Mary.

Graham had 6 turnovers in that game.

 

[Fairlawncat]

Radford was 2nd best team in state that year and could've easily won it had they got by us.

We were down 3 points to Graham in the late 3rd quarter and I picked off Graham's QB at the Graham 30. We drove to the Graham 5 and they busted us back to the Graham 10. On 4th down, I attempted a field goal to tie it and we bobbled the snap and Snell, our QB/place holder picked the ball up and hit Ramsey for a TD pass, but......they called ME, the kicker for illegal motion. I was ticked off. I thought we had Graham right there. I still have nightmares over that playoff loss. The first time we played, Graham beat us up pretty good a few weeks earlier in regular season, but Graham did just enough, they ran the ball just a touch better than us in that playoff game and that was the difference. I also got into with the Graham Fullback they called choo-choo. He said something to me in the pile and I jaw jacked him and not one official saw it. Thank God players from both teams got in there because that guy was a truck. He would have probably kicked my a**, but til this day, I can say, maybe I shouldn't be proud of it, but I caught him with a right overhand.

 

[SWDRules]

That is total B.S. . We had several inches of snow just days before that game. Tired of hearing that excuse. Graham would have beaten rustburg that day if they were wearing ice skates.

Or on the asphalt down in the parking lot.

 

[Stabler1980]

Ok ok I see you guys did not like them saying that ! I am. Appo guy even though my daughter cheered for rustburg from 98-2000 and went to 3 state finals and I do believe y’all came to rustburg and got beat on a last second field goal !

 

[Stabler1980]

Or on the asphalt down in the parking lot.

Dang that would be rough ! But I do like the idea !

 

[SWDRules]

Ok ok I see you guys did not like them saying that ! I am. Appo guy even though my daughter cheered for rustburg from 98-2000 and went to 3 state finals and I do believe y’all came to rustburg and got beat on a last second field goal !

Yup 1990 had game won 14-13 and fumbled inside the 10 trying to run out the clock. Rustburg kicked fg to win 16-14. That's one that got away. Rustburg won state title the following week by 1 point. We did take a beating down there in 98 though. That was a long trip home. Lol

 

[Stabler1980]

Good talking with you guys here and Good luck this week a Pulaski! Maybe if things work outwe will see you down the road !PO1 go Raiders

 

[SWDRules]

Hope so

 

[Fairlawncat]

Yup 1990 had game won 14-13 and fumbled inside the 10 trying to run out the clock. Rustburg kicked fg to win 16-14. That's one that got away. Rustburg won state title the following week by 1 point. We did take a beating down there in 98 though. That was a long trip home. Lol

From what I recall in 1998, that was the weakest Region 4 had ever been. I think Graham had a 5-5 football team in regular season and somehow won the region by default. I may be wrong, but from what I recall, Graham or any other Region 4 team that year had any business in a state semifinal game.

No Dog in the fight here, but the game in 1990 at Rustburg, we drove over from Williamsburg and watched it. Graham beat Rustburg all over the field. Credit the Rustburg squad, but they got severely outplayed. They just did.

 

[oldfool2]

So awesome reading what you guys just said, good luck to all.

 

[BigWinners]

From what I recall in 1998, that was the weakest Region 4 had ever been. I think Graham had a 5-5 football team in regular season and somehow won the region by default. I may be wrong, but from what I recall, Graham or any other Region 4 team that year had any business in a state semifinal game.

No Dog in the fight here, but the game in 1990 at Rustburg, we drove over from Williamsburg and watched it. Graham beat Rustburg all over the field. Credit the Rustburg squad, but they got severely outplayed. They just did.

y'all may not wanna hear this, but in 1998, the best team in Region 1-IV was likely in Big Stone. That PV team was NASTY. Won 30+ straight games between 1997 and early 1999.

 

[mikesalem]

Yes I went to a game there a few yrs ago to watch Graham and Richlands play ! I also was there at a game many yrs ago when Graham hosted Rustburg on a grass field covered with snow and ice and they put water on the field to slow down rustburgs running game and it worked ! Great stadium and had a great time on both trips there .

I was at that game Graham hosted Rustburg in 89. I think the final was 30-8 in favor of the G Men.. Rustburg never could get anything going. Rustburg hosted G the following year and were able to win 16-14 & win their first championship the following week. Cool place to go for a game.

 

[Researcher27]

1989 Graham - Rustburg game...

 

[Researcher27]

1989 Graham - Radford game ...

 

[Real Sasquatch]

Ok ok I see you guys did not like them saying that ! I am. Appo guy even though my daughter cheered for rustburg from 98-2000 and went to 3 state finals and I do believe y’all came to rustburg and got beat on a last second field goal !

A missed field goal, at that.

 

[Real Sasquatch]

I didn't know Union had lost at Graham. What game are you referring to Bo Bob?

Good talking with you guys here and Good luck this week a Pulaski! Maybe if things work outwe will see you down the road !PO1 go Raiders

I hope so. You always want to see how you measure up to the best programs.

 

[Fairlawncat]

You had to post the Radford-Graham game of 89 didn't you. You just had to do it! PTSD for me all over again, especially the chip shot field goal I missed in the 3rd to tie it.

For Graham fans, did you know this. Betcha you didn't. Watch the 3rd quarter where we are down 10-7 and have the ball at the 10 of Graham and we line up for the field goal. We bobbled the snap and Snell (our QB/Placeholder) picks up the bobbled ball and throws it for a touchdown to Lewis Ramsey. The TD is called back because they called a motion penalty on me, the kicker. Anyway, we were NOT kicking that ball. That was a planned/called fake and pass to Ramsey. After the touchdown was called back due to the motion penalty, we then lined up with the intention of kicking the field goal to tie it and I missed the field goal to the left. I hit from that range in practice 20 out of 20 consistently all year long. Man, what a day. We, on film, had seen how Graham often cheated up/played up/stacked the box on field goal attempts and often didn't cover anyone coming out of the backfield. I will say this. I never moved an inch on that motion penalty. After the game, the official told Coach Lineburg that the motion was called on our center for moving the ball.

 

[Researcher27]

After watching the play I think your stutter step fooled the ref. It seems to me that the stutter step was after the snap and legal but it is the type of thing that a player will usually do when they forget the snap count. The ref saw it out of the corner of his eye and threw the flag right away.

 

[The G-Man]

Yes I went to a game there a few yrs ago to watch Graham and Richlands play ! I also was there at a game many yrs ago when Graham hosted Rustburg on a grass field covered with snow and ice and they put water on the field to slow down rustburgs running game and it worked ! Great stadium and had a great time on both trips there .

The Graham-Rustburg game...all week it snowed and rained, that day the temps warmed up to over 40 and the frozen ground thawed into a quagmire, as it did under those conditions. No extra water was used on the field...just stop with your ignorance. And BTW, Graham was a running team that season, too...both teams played on the same field conditions. But you won't have to worry about mud as an excuse anymore...