This team is reloaded and incredibly talented. I picked them to win the final about 6 weeks ago when they seemed to start playing like they were capable. Honestly, Graham has way more depth than Radford. If it was 11 vs. 11 and no substitutions, I would take Radford. That's not how the game works.
MarlburMan, I've been watching football in SWVA a long time. What you are seeing with Graham this year is the talent and depth take hold. They are well coached with Palmer, but Graham was riddled with injuries early on along the line of scrimmage after losing several key lineman to graduation. They had kids that are freshmen and sophomores (many of them) along the Line of Scrimmage that played like their age early on, but the talent is so great that they now just look different after getting the experience. It really shows the talent and depth level they have for a Class 2 program. I said this earlier, the most talented team on the field Saturday is not Radford. We have talent and we might have the most ready available talent and best football players for 2023 (maybe) between the two schools for this given year, but overall team talent and depth for Graham High School is alarming. I've said that for years.
The scary part with Graham. We really need to beat them this year, because this is supposed to be their rebuilding/down year. They are completely loaded the next 2 years and you are going to hear names like "Bradshaw" and "Palmer" enter the conversation as well as upcoming senior Yubrenal Isabelle at Linebacker who's father played for UVA and in the NFL. I hope Raddy wins and gets the W and goes on to win the title over the East Winner, because every team in Class 2 is going to have a really, really hard time beating Graham the next two years. I'm not declaring them champions the next two seasons, but wouldn't be surprised if they go 30-0 in 24 and 25. There's actually that much talent and depth on that team, but a team like Union is also super young and is going to be right there with Graham the next 2 years.
For Radford, even though Clark is a senior and huge loss, we got some very skilled guys coming back next year and we will definitely have a shot at repeating as Region C Champs. Appo and Glenvar will have something to say as well as Gretna, but we should be really good, but losing Clark is obviously a big one.