I agree there was always a baseline of talent at Reidsville but I think you are also forgetting to see is that with the closing down of the American Tobacco company pretty much dried up the town which had a huge effect on people leaving the city for work etc.....This had a direct affect on the football program dropping them in classifications (less people less kids) making it easier for them to compete year in and year out because there enrollment during the 70's and 80's I believe Reidsville was 3a and even 4a a time or to. Now they are consistently 2a and have heard they were close to 1a (dont quote me) In otherwords getting to 2a helped them as much as any player ever did.
No doubt about it. Same could be said for Morehead with Miller leaving. None of the towns in Rockingham County, including Madison-Mayodan, are what they were 30 years ago but this has happened all over America.
Placement in a class is all relative. When they were 4A & 3A their enrollment put them there. They were a small 4A and it was tough during those years but in 3A they were rightly placed and competitive. Many schools could claim this as a reason for their lack of success.
During most of the 90's when they were 3A they had some good teams. It seems they had a number one ranked team that was undefeated until losing to eventual state champion W. Brunswick in early 90's. During this period the Rams became a regular playoff participant but state championships eluded them. They could never quite get over the "hump." There was something missing.
The void was filled when a mobile QB transferred from McMichael HS in 2002. Reidsville had produced some good QB's but nothing like this kid. He was not only a good thrower he could beat you with his legs. His appearance on the scene coincided with the NCHSAA splitting the 4 divisions into 8 for football championships. Not only was Reidsville now a 2A school they were placed in a division opposite traditional state powers like Shelby.
Many things in life is timing. The timing could not have been better for the Rams in 2002. Winning a state championship that season was, IMO, the springboard for what has become a true dynasty but it's come about in part because there have been many who have followed in the footsteps of that QB transfer.
This is the truth. Reidsville has a great program. No one can argue that but the truth is also that they have become the beneficiary of quite a bit of talent that was/is not necessarily homegrown. It's going to be interesting to see if young coach Teague will be able to keep the pipeline open. I suspect keeping his dad around may allow them to continue their dominance for years to come.