The Rams of Lafayette.

[DinwiddieProud]

When Lafayette moved up to 4a, the consensus opinion was that the Rams would struggle with top 4a competition come playoff time. Personally, I think they acquitted themselves pretty well.

The Rams went three deep in the playoffs, having their season end at the hands of Courtland.

Let's look at the facts:

Lafayette has only lost 3 games in three years.

They are 63-14 since 2009.

The Rams have out scored their opponents better than 2-1 since 1998. Recently it's closer to 4-1.

They play in the Bay Rivers District, which is not packed with powerhouse teams, but five of their 10 regular season opponents in 2015 did make the playoffs.

However, the combined record of the Rams regular season opponents was 43-66.

The two teams they beat in the playoffs were not much better. Churchland finished 4-7, Heritag(NN) was 5-7.

What does this tell us? I think they have more to prove. It's a good bet they will be a high seed in the playoffs once again. But they could go a long way to proving they are serious 4a contenders by beating a couple of the stronger teams in the playoffs.

Hopefully they will try to upgrade their non-district games with better competition. That would be a step in the right direction. You can't play just the teams in the Bay Rivers, and expect to be ready for the Courtlands and Lake Taylors of the world.

What do you think? Will 2016 be a repeat of 2015? Or do they get a benchmark win or two in the playoffs?

I say 10-2 this year.

 

[Lafayette Rams]

I also see a very good year ahead. VT commit Grimsley, with barn burner speed, a trio of excellent Rb returning, the top C. Kraegenbrink, with speedster K. Johnson, several top Lb return- Jump, Erwin, Wallace, Packer and some excellent linemen also -,Bartlett, Klock, and Walters. The questions-??- number 1 who replaces Pitt bound Pine at QB. The likely replacement is the JV QB who has size and an arm but no Varsity experience. Also need to replace a couple of excellent linemen, something Coach Linn does well. The third is to find a good kicker. Last year the kicking game was the worst in 10 years. If the QB performs well- he has all the weapons around him Lafayette can go 11-0 again. But I see one stumble at 10-1. But I am front and center with our first and only non conference game be of quality to toughen up. Not this year with Huguenot , unless they elevate. With Poquoson going in 2017 to 2a and Bruton already 2a time in 2017 to shake up the schedule. How does the new arrangement work in 2017-18?

 

[DinwiddieProud]

I also see a very good year ahead. VT commit Grimsley, with barn burner speed, a trio of excellent Rb returning, the top C. Kraegenbrink, with speedster K. Johnson, several top Lb return- Jump, Erwin, Wallace, Packer and some excellent linemen also -,Bartlett, Klock, and Walters. The questions-??- number 1 who replaces Pitt bound Pine at QB. The likely replacement is the JV QB who has size and an arm but no Varsity experience. Also need to replace a couple of excellent linemen, something Coach Linn does well. The third is to find a good kicker. Last year the kicking game was the worst in 10 years. If the QB performs well- he has all the weapons around him Lafayette can go 11-0 again. But I see one stumble at 10-1. But I am front and center with our first and only non conference game be of quality to toughen up. Not this year with Huguenot , unless they elevate. With Poquoson going in 2017 to 2a and Bruton already 2a time in 2017 to shake up the schedule. How does the new arrangement work in 2017-18?

Barring some unusual request that must get over a lot of difficult hurdles, nothing changes with respect to your district. I would think that with the start of the new cycle in 2017, it would be a good opportunity for your district to take a hard look at giving up one or two more district games. Is essence, playing every district opponent is no longer a necessity. I doubt if the Bay Rivers awards a district championship in football any longer? Even if they do, being district champs is nothing more than bragging rights. If more dates are made available, every team could use the opportunity to schedule more appropriate competition.

 

[Lafayette Rams]

I hope new AD Linn sees the issues for football in 2017 and agrees that at 4a, no opponents less than 3a is acceptable. That would free up 2 more non conference games. Those 3 games should be scheduled if at all possible with the likes of Courtland, Chancellor, Heritage and LT. That would put the needed meat on the schedule. If the schedule remains the same I will be very disappointed. The opportunity for change is there in 2017-18. The BRD conference title had lost its meaning and relevance, time to move on.

 

[mikesalem]

Barring some unusual request that must get over a lot of difficult hurdles, nothing changes with respect to your district. I would think that with the start of the new cycle in 2017, it would be a good opportunity for your district to take a hard look at giving up one or two more district games. Is essence, playing every district opponent is no longer a necessity. I doubt if the Bay Rivers awards a district championship in football any longer? Even if they do, being district champs is nothing more than bragging rights. If more dates are made available, every team could use the opportunity to schedule more appropriate competition.

I like the idea of not having to play all district opponents. I heard several months ago that Christiansburg is considering not playing Salem in football next cycle. I have no way to confirm this and thus far I've only heard it from one person.

Salem could have a significantly different schedule next year. We know Carroll Co is out, Dinwiddie is scheduled. William Byrd may not be an OOD opponent, Franklin Co could be. If Christiansburg drops Salem then they will need another OOD opponent. I haven't heard anything about Amherst as to whether that game will happen next cycle- I really hope so especially since Amherst appears poised to reassert themselves as big playoff threats.

It will be good to see some new opponents, hopefully it will toughen the schedule some to prepare them better for the playoffs. (Although things worked out well last year with that schedule and only being the 3 seed)

 

[shauntclair]

When Lafayette moved up to 4a, the consensus opinion was that the Rams would struggle with top 4a competition come playoff time. Personally, I think they acquitted themselves pretty well.

The Rams went three deep in the playoffs, having their season end at the hands of Courtland.

Let's look at the facts:

Lafayette has only lost 3 games in three years.

They are 63-14 since 2009.

The Rams have out scored their opponents better than 2-1 since 1998. Recently it's closer to 4-1.

They play in the Bay Rivers District, which is not packed with powerhouse teams, but five of their 10 regular season opponents in 2015 did make the playoffs.

However, the combined record of the Rams regular season opponents was 43-66.

The two teams they beat in the playoffs were not much better. Churchland finished 4-7, Heritag(NN) was 5-7.

What does this tell us? I think they have more to prove. It's a good bet they will be a high seed in the playoffs once again. But they could go a long way to proving they are serious 4a contenders by beating a couple of the stronger teams in the playoffs.

Hopefully they will try to upgrade their non-district games with better competition. That would be a step in the right direction. You can't play just the teams in the Bay Rivers, and expect to be ready for the Courtlands and Lake Taylors of the world.

What do you think? Will 2016 be a repeat of 2015? Or do they get a benchmark win or two in the playoffs?

I say 10-2 this year.

Lafayette is historically good. A very good program. The schedule is not hard but you have to win the games. The Rams do and they always come up with next level players. They are the Salem of the South East. But you really Don't know who they are till playoff time. A top 10 4A till the playoffs.

 

[SpartanOfYore]

I like the idea of not having to play all district opponents. I heard several months ago that Christiansburg is considering not playing Salem in football next cycle. I have no way to confirm this and thus far I've only heard it from one person.

Salem could have a significantly different schedule next year. We know Carroll Co is out, Dinwiddie is scheduled. William Byrd may not be an OOD opponent, Franklin Co could be. If Christiansburg drops Salem then they will need another OOD opponent. I haven't heard anything about Amherst as to whether that game will happen next cycle- I really hope so especially since Amherst appears poised to reassert themselves as big playoff threats.

It will be good to see some new opponents, hopefully it will toughen the schedule some to prepare them better for the playoffs. (Although things worked out well last year with that schedule and only being the 3 seed)

How could Christiansburg drop Salem? Aren't teams bound by VHSL rule to play every district opponent within two classification levels?

Also, have you heard anything about swapping FC for Byrd? I've stated this several times, but I'd be in favor of staying away from Franklin Co. until they get on the winning side of the ledger again. I doubt that will be as soon as next year.

 

[mikesalem]

How could Christiansburg drop Salem? Aren't teams bound by VHSL rule to play every district opponent within two classification levels?

Also, have you heard anything about swapping FC for Byrd? I've stated this several times, but I'd be in favor of staying away from Franklin Co. until they get on the winning side of the ledger again. I doubt that will be as soon as next year.

I don't know if there is some kind of waiver you can get from the VHSL if both teams are in agreement about not playing a district game. I've only heard this rumor from one source, don't know if it's accurate or even a possibility.

The William Byrd/FC rumor I've heard from 2 sources. I believe the Dinwiddie game is slotted Week 3 that William Byrd normally occupies. If Byrd is dropped then FC may take Carroll Co's slot? I'm in agreement with you on this move, there are many better options than FC, until they prove themselves.

I like Coach Edwards, but that whole support system collapsed from MS up. The last time Salem played them Week 2 they only suited 36 and the score was 45-0 I believe. Then in Edwards first year they were winless. It seems like it could take a long time for them to get competitive.

 

[shauntclair]

I don't know if there is some kind of waiver you can get from the VHSL if both teams are in agreement about not playing a district game. I've only heard this rumor from one source, don't know if it's accurate or even a possibility.

The William Byrd/FC rumor I've heard from 2 sources. I believe the Dinwiddie game is slotted Week 3 that William Byrd normally occupies. If Byrd is dropped then FC may take Carroll Co's slot? I'm in agreement with you on this move, there are many better options than FC, until they prove themselves.

I like Coach Edwards, but that whole support system collapsed from MS up. The last time Salem played them Week 2 they only suited 36 and the score was 45-0 I believe. Then in Edwards first year they were winless. It seems like it could take a long time for them to get competitive.

I realize FC is bigger but 36 is about all my Cougars suit up weekly. They're still competitive. Not many 4As suit up more than 40 or 50 with 40 being about average (in my experience).

 

[DinwiddieProud]

I think we started the season with 87. How about you other schools? Mike, didn't Salem start with 96?

I have heard that James City County, (Jamestown and Lafayette), cap their rosters at 45, but I don't know this as fact.

 

[mikesalem]

I think we started the season with 87. How about you other schools? Mike, didn't Salem start with 96?

I have heard that James City County, (Jamestown and Lafayette), cap their rosters at 45, but I don't know this as fact.

I can't remember exactly, but around 90 is usually a good starting point for them. (It means there's excitement in the program) Maxpreps shows 89, but idk if that's accurate. I'm expecting a good turnout this year, maybe more than last year, considering their success. I think they brought 54 or so to the championship game, normally around 45 dress, till the playoffs anyway.

Franklin Co has 2,000 students, but with all of the challenges they face, they're generally competitive with 3/4A local schools. Generally, when they get to the playoffs in any sport the bump up in competition catches up with them quickly. Football was like that and now they'll struggle even to get 5 wins. There was a lot of turmoil within the system the last couple of years of Jones' tenure. Unfortunately, that has carried over to Edwards and it will be extremely hard to fix.

 

[Lafayette Rams]

I think we started the season with 87. How about you other schools? Mike, didn't Salem start with 96?

I have heard that James City County, (Jamestown and Lafayette), cap their rosters at 45, but I don't know this as fact.

I don't know for sure but Lafayette's roster for the Poquoson game was 41, so 45 sounds right.

 

[mikesalem]

How could Christiansburg drop Salem? Aren't teams bound by VHSL rule to play every district opponent within two classification levels?

Also, have you heard anything about swapping FC for Byrd? I've stated this several times, but I'd be in favor of staying away from Franklin Co. until they get on the winning side of the ledger again. I doubt that will be as soon as next year.

I was talking to one of the coaches today at the 7 on 7, Christiansburg is moving to the 3RD, that's why they're not playing each other next year. We will be playing Franklin Co next year. Byrd may just be shifted on the schedule. Dinwiddie, FC on the schedule next cycle, Carroll, Christiansburg out for next year.

 

[close2salem]

I think we started the season with 87. How about you other schools? Mike, didn't Salem start with 96?

I have heard that James City County, (Jamestown and Lafayette), cap their rosters at 45, but I don't know this as fact.

The 96 or so is JV and Varsity numbers combined.

 

[mikesalem]

The 96 or so is JV and Varsity numbers combined.

Yeah I was going to put that, but I forgot- thank you.

 

[DinwiddieProud]

Yes, our 87 includes all of the JV's that are eligible to play varsity, if needed or get the opportunity, (I believe).

 

[DinwiddieProud]

Lake Taylor probably has the smallest roster of any of the traditional top teams. It seems that I recall they only had 27 in 2014. But, I may be wrong.

 

[mikesalem]

Lake Taylor probably has the smallest roster of any of the traditional top teams. It seems that I recall they only had 27 in 2014. But, I may be wrong.

Maxpreps shows 43 this past year and 40 in '14.

 

[shauntclair]

Maxpreps shows 43 this past year and 40 in '14.

I don't rely too much on Max Preps but from what I saw of the Championship game, that seemed a good number. LT had a lot of two way players, especially on the O and Dline. I think this is one of the reasons they had some close games last year and wore down in the second half. Special players and a few breaks got them where they were. They were damn good but they were not undefeatable. Next season will be tough for them with th target on their back remaining huge. Salem will have the same problem this year. I still expect an undefeated regular season. The schedule is not hard, with few exceptions. But this year will be every team's SuperBowl. Some of these games will be closer than expected.

 

[SpartanOfYore]

I was talking to one of the coaches today at the 7 on 7, Christiansburg is moving to the 3RD, that's why they're not playing each other next year. We will be playing Franklin Co next year. Byrd may just be shifted on the schedule. Dinwiddie, FC on the schedule next cycle, Carroll, Christiansburg out for next year.

Thanks for the response mike, but I still don't understand. All the current classification info that I found on the VHSL site , including the 2017-2019 Region and District Alignment plans, still lists C'burg as 3A, River Ridge district. Am I missing something, or looking in the wrong place? Is it possible the coach to which you spoke had C'burg confused with Carroll County? That doesn't seem likely, but I'm just looking for an explanation.

 

[mikesalem]

Thanks for the response mike, but I still don't understand. All the current classification info that I found on the VHSL site , including the 2017-2019 Region and District Alignment plans, still lists C'burg as 3A, River Ridge district. Am I missing something, or looking in the wrong place? Is it possible the coach to which you spoke had C'burg confused with Carroll County? That doesn't seem likely, but I'm just looking for an explanation.

He was saying that Christiansburg to the 3RD hasn't been finalized yet, but he felt that it would be approved due to a reduction in expense. The majority of 3RD games would be much closer in the NRV than coming to the Roanoke Valley for half of their district games in all sports.

I guess Christiansburg will appeal to the VHSL to move districts, hasn't happened yet. That's why it doesn't appear on the classification list yet. The final vote on official classification will happen later this year.

He didn't mention William Byrd or Amherst so I guess at this point those 2 are still good for next cycle? Dinwiddie and Franklin Co on the schedule, Carroll Co and Christiansburg off, according to him. I guess they have their backup plan ready assuming Christiansburg leaves.

 

[SpartanOfYore]

He was saying that Christiansburg to the 3RD hasn't been finalized yet, but he felt that it would be approved due to a reduction in expense. The majority of 3RD games would be much closer in the NRV than coming to the Roanoke Valley for half of their district games in all sports.

I guess Christiansburg will appeal to the VHSL to move districts, hasn't happened yet. That's why it doesn't appear on the classification list yet. The final vote on official classification will happen later this year.

He didn't mention William Byrd or Amherst so I guess at this point those 2 are still good for next cycle? Dinwiddie and Franklin Co on the schedule, Carroll Co and Christiansburg off, according to him. I guess they have their backup plan ready assuming Christiansburg leaves.

Well again, thanks for the response. I understand what you're saying now. I also understand that you're just reporting what you've been told, so I offer the following in the spirit of discussion, not argument.

To me, Christiansburg moving to the Three Rivers District wouldn't make a lick of sense, from either a travel aspect or a competition aspect. First and foremost - and this is a bit of a mind-blower - is the fact that C'burg would actually face more travel if they move to the 3RD. I have a file saved in Google Earth with markers for every public high school in Virginia (color-coded by classification, thank you very much), so it was easy to do the numbers. Here are C'burg's round-trip travel numbers to the schools that will comprise the River Ridge District in the fall of 2017:
Blacksburg - 18.2; Pulaski Co. - 41.4; Salem - 51.6; PH - 63.4; Hidden Valley - 66.4; Cave Spring -70.0.
Average school-to-school round trip: 51.8 miles.

Now, the journeys faced by the Blue Demons should they jump to the Three Rivers District in 2017:
Auburn - 14.4; Radford - 21.0; Glenvar - 44.6; Floyd Co. - 46.0; Giles - 57.8; Carroll Co. - 94.0; James River - 110.8.
Average school-to-school round trip: 55.5 miles.

If it's true C'burg plans to make an appeal to switch to the 3RD based on reduced travel, it's pretty clear that appeal will be rejected - assuming just one person at the VHSL does their homework (shoot, I just did it for them!). C'burg spent '96 to '03 as a member of the Blue Ridge District, and regularly traveled to Salem, Roanoke, Vinton, Daleville, Low Moor, and Lexington. Since '03, they've been entrenched in the RRD. All these years, and travel is only now becoming an issue for them? It doesn't add up, to me. With Carroll Co. chasing illusions of being athletically relevant in the 3RD, the slog to Hillsville would still have to be made; not to mention the trek to Buchanan. And the only reason that 55.5 miles average round-trip is that low is due to C'burg's proximity to Auburn and Radford - both of which are 1A.

Which brings me to the issue of competition. I can't for the life of me see how anyone in C'burg's administration would think moving to the Three Rivers would aid the Blue Demons competitively. This isn't a case of being a complete weak sister, a la Carroll County; Christiansburg's athletic program overall is pretty solid. Their wrestling record speaks for itself, and all of their running sports teams, boys and girls, are usually pretty strong at the state level. Basketball is up and down, but they won the AA Division 4 state crown within the last five years. Even in football, where the River Ridge has been unprecedentedly down the past two years, such a move would result in essentially a wash in competition for the Blue Demons. Again, I don't see what C'burg would gain by facing mostly inferior comp (on average, looking at all 3RD schools in most years) across the spectrum of all sports during the regular seasons, then having to go out and face the rigors of the 3A West playoffs. In fact, I think they would just shoot themselves in the foot, for purposes of football playoff seedings.

Let me be clear - ultimately, I really don't care where C'burg ends up. They've been a pretty good rival for Salem at times in different sports over the years, and they're a charter member of the River Ridge, but if they move somewhere else, so be it. I'm just trying to make sense of something that currently seems nonsensical. I'm inclined to think that whichever C'burg person talked to the Salem coach who told you this was either pulling that Salem coach's leg, or feeding him some bogus information. I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts, along with the thoughts of any of our other thoughtful posters.

 

[DinwiddieProud]

He was saying that Christiansburg to the 3RD hasn't been finalized yet, but he felt that it would be approved due to a reduction in expense. The majority of 3RD games would be much closer in the NRV than coming to the Roanoke Valley for half of their district games in all sports.

I guess Christiansburg will appeal to the VHSL to move districts, hasn't happened yet. That's why it doesn't appear on the classification list yet. The final vote on official classification will happen later this year

He didn't mention William Byrd or Amherst so I guess at this point those 2 are still good for next cycle? Dinwiddie and Franklin Co on the schedule, Carroll Co and Christiansburg off, according to him. I guess they have their backup plan ready assuming Christiansburg leaves.

I have been told that the vote to leave a district, and the vote to join a district has to be unanimous by both districts. (I'm speaking of the voting by the district members.) Then it comes before the VHSL for approval.

 

[DanvilleSportsHead_rivals]

I was talking to one of the coaches today at the 7 on 7, Christiansburg is moving to the 3RD, that's why they're not playing each other next year. We will be playing Franklin Co next year. Byrd may just be shifted on the schedule. Dinwiddie, FC on the schedule next cycle, Carroll, Christiansburg out for next year.

That's big news IMO.. C-burg used to be one of the better teams in the NRV. It's surprising to see them drop off.

 

[DinwiddieProud]

Well again, thanks for the response. I understand what you're saying now. I also understand that you're just reporting what you've been told, so I offer the following in the spirit of discussion, not argument.

To me, Christiansburg moving to the Three Rivers District wouldn't make a lick of sense, from either a travel aspect or a competition aspect. First and foremost - and this is a bit of a mind-blower - is the fact that C'burg would actually face more travel if they move to the 3RD. I have a file saved in Google Earth with markers for every public high school in Virginia (color-coded by classification, than you very much), so it was easy to do the numbers. Here are C'burg's round-trip travel numbers to the schools that will comprise the River Ridge District in the fall of 2017:
Blacksburg - 18.2; Pulaski Co. - 41.4; Salem - 51.6; PH - 63.4; Hidden Valley - 66.4; Cave Spring -70.0.
Average school-to-school round trip: 51.8 miles.

Now, the journeys faced by the Blue Demons should they jump to the Three Rivers District in 2017:
Auburn - 14.4; Radford - 21.0; Glenvar - 44.6; Floyd Co. - 46.0; Giles - 57.8; Carroll Co. - 94.0; James River - 110.8.
Average school-to-school round trip: 55.5 miles.

If it's true C'burg plans to make an appeal to switch to the 3RD based on reduced travel, it's pretty clear that appeal will be rejected - assuming just one person at the VHSL does their homework (shoot, I just did it for them!). C'burg spent '96 to '03 as a member of the Blue Ridge District, and regularly traveled to Salem, Roanoke, Vinton, Daleville, Low Moor, and Lexington. Since '03, they've been entrenched in the RRD. All these years, and travel is only now becoming an issue for them? It doesn't add up, to me. With Carroll Co. chasing illusions of being athletically relevant in the 3RD, the slog to Hillsville would still have to be made; not to mention the trek to Buchanan. And the only reason that 55.5 miles average round-trip is that low is due to C'burg's proximity to Auburn and Radford - both of whom are 1A.

Which brings me to the issue of competition. I can't for the life of me see how anyone in C'burg's administration would think moving to the Three Rivers would aid the Blue Demons competitively. This isn't a case of being a complete weak sister, a la Carroll County; Christiansburg's athletic program overall is pretty solid. Their wrestling record speaks for itself, and all of their running sports teams, boys and girls, are usually pretty strong at the state level. Basketball is up and down, but they won the AA Division 4 state crown within the last five years. Even in football, where the River Ridge has been unprecedentedly down the past two years, such a move would result in essentially a wash in competition for the Blue Demons. Again, I don't see what C'burg would gain by facing mostly inferior comp (on average, looking at all 3RD schools in most years) across the spectrum of all sports during the regular seasons, then having to go out and face the rigors of the 3A West playoffs. In fact, I think they would just shoot themselves in the foot, for purposes of football playoff seedings.

Let me be clear - ultimately, I really don't care where C'burg ends up. They've been a pretty good rival for Salem at times in different sports over the years, and they're a charter member of the River Ridge, but if they move somewhere else, so be it. I'm just trying to make sense of something that currently seems nonsensical. I'm inclined to think that whichever C'burg person talked to the Salem coach who told you this was either pulling that Salem coach's leg, or feeding him some bogus information. I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts, along with the thoughts of any of our other thoughtful posters.

Good stuff there Spartan.
(I'm sending you a question on the conversation feature).

 

[mikesalem]

Well again, thanks for the response. I understand what you're saying now. I also understand that you're just reporting what you've been told, so I offer the following in the spirit of discussion, not argument.

To me, Christiansburg moving to the Three Rivers District wouldn't make a lick of sense, from either a travel aspect or a competition aspect. First and foremost - and this is a bit of a mind-blower - is the fact that C'burg would actually face more travel if they move to the 3RD. I have a file saved in Google Earth with markers for every public high school in Virginia (color-coded by classification, than you very much), so it was easy to do the numbers. Here are C'burg's round-trip travel numbers to the schools that will comprise the River Ridge District in the fall of 2017:
Blacksburg - 18.2; Pulaski Co. - 41.4; Salem - 51.6; PH - 63.4; Hidden Valley - 66.4; Cave Spring -70.0.
Average school-to-school round trip: 51.8 miles.

Now, the journeys faced by the Blue Demons should they jump to the Three Rivers District in 2017:
Auburn - 14.4; Radford - 21.0; Glenvar - 44.6; Floyd Co. - 46.0; Giles - 57.8; Carroll Co. - 94.0; James River - 110.8.
Average school-to-school round trip: 55.5 miles.

If it's true C'burg plans to make an appeal to switch to the 3RD based on reduced travel, it's pretty clear that appeal will be rejected - assuming just one person at the VHSL does their homework (shoot, I just did it for them!). C'burg spent '96 to '03 as a member of the Blue Ridge District, and regularly traveled to Salem, Roanoke, Vinton, Daleville, Low Moor, and Lexington. Since '03, they've been entrenched in the RRD. All these years, and travel is only now becoming an issue for them? It doesn't add up, to me. With Carroll Co. chasing illusions of being athletically relevant in the 3RD, the slog to Hillsville would still have to be made; not to mention the trek to Buchanan. And the only reason that 55.5 miles average round-trip is that low is due to C'burg's proximity to Auburn and Radford - both of whom are 1A.

Which brings me to the issue of competition. I can't for the life of me see how anyone in C'burg's administration would think moving to the Three Rivers would aid the Blue Demons competitively. This isn't a case of being a complete weak sister, a la Carroll County; Christiansburg's athletic program overall is pretty solid. Their wrestling record speaks for itself, and all of their running sports teams, boys and girls, are usually pretty strong at the state level. Basketball is up and down, but they won the AA Division 4 state crown within the last five years. Even in football, where the River Ridge has been unprecedentedly down the past two years, such a move would result in essentially a wash in competition for the Blue Demons. Again, I don't see what C'burg would gain by facing mostly inferior comp (on average, looking at all 3RD schools in most years) across the spectrum of all sports during the regular seasons, then having to go out and face the rigors of the 3A West playoffs. In fact, I think they would just shoot themselves in the foot, for purposes of football playoff seedings.

Let me be clear - ultimately, I really don't care where C'burg ends up. They've been a pretty good rival for Salem at times in different sports over the years, and they're a charter member of the River Ridge, but if they move somewhere else, so be it. I'm just trying to make sense of something that currently seems nonsensical. I'm inclined to think that whichever C'burg person talked to the Salem coach who told you this was either pulling that Salem coach's leg, or feeding him some bogus information. I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts, along with the thoughts of any of our other thoughtful posters.

Good points Spartan, it doesn't make sense for them to move, but he was pretty sure they weren't playing Christiansburg and were playing FC. I guess we'll have to wait and see my friend.

I don't really care one way or the other I just hope FC doesn't kill our points like Carroll Co was.