I do remember quite well a couple years ago when Peyton Manning was (Denver Broncos) scoring at will against opposition. Denver was the highest scoring team in the NFL. Seattle Seahawks defense shut that offense down completely. Like I said before, offense looks good on paper but Defense wins Championships
Tough Paths To Salem..B.E.A.U.tiful Picture Emerges
- Thread starter intrinsicreward
- Start date
No disrespect to Graham and they may be peaking at right time but looking over Knights schedule , they lost the first 2 games , with a new coach , by 10 to 9-1 Lord Botetourt and by 11 in a very close game to Glenvar , and then ran the table , beating Radford by 12 in the process !
I think you're seriously underestimating the teams that Graham has played at the first part of their schedule... Bluefield, Richlands, Abingdon and Giles are all 9-1. Graham competed in all of those but the Richlands game. I'm just not drinking the Green Kool aid of Glenvar coming from down that way. I will say that Virginia High will give Glenvar all they can handle. I whole heartedly believe that Richlands and Union are superior than #3-16, Glenvar included. I'm not blowing smoke, just defending my team when somebody accused them of playing weak opponents. Yeah, the last 2 or 3 were weak, but I don't think anybody outside of Gate City has played more quality opponents this season than Graham.
And YES... Glenvar would have been 4th best and possibly 5th best on Graham's schedule.
In my estimation.
Bluefield > Glenvar
Richlands > Glenvar
Abingdon > Glenvar
I would argue that on a neutral field ... Giles > Glenvar....
So I guess I'm just way off base....
As for Graham vs. James River, we'll see.... I'm not predicting great things from Graham at all, but I think they have a very good shot at James Rver, should be a good ballgame.
I was responding to a guy that said that Graham was "dominated by the better teams on their schedule". Which was totally false. Richlands was the only team that dominated Graham....and I would put good money that Richlands will walk through the playoffs and the only team that will even have a chance to hang with them is Union.
And YES... Glenvar would have been 4th best and possibly 5th best on Graham's schedule.
In my estimation.
Bluefield > Glenvar
Richlands > Glenvar
Abingdon > Glenvar
I would argue that on a neutral field ... Giles > Glenvar....
So I guess I'm just way off base....
As for Graham vs. James River, we'll see.... I'm not predicting great things from Graham at all, but I think they have a very good shot at James Rver, should be a good ballgame.
I was responding to a guy that said that Graham was "dominated by the better teams on their schedule". Which was totally false. Richlands was the only team that dominated Graham....and I would put good money that Richlands will walk through the playoffs and the only team that will even have a chance to hang with them is Union.
I could give a rats arse about Glenvar. My team plays James River. Glenvar had better worry about Virginia High.
I honestly agree with exactly what Prognosticator said. I believe Union and Richlands are the two premier teams and everyone else will have to play their best game and hope those two are far off to be able to upset them
So because someone has an opinion that they believe there are better teams than yours, that automatically makes them a hater? I can assure you there's plenty of people who aren't drinking the green kool-aid.
Thanks Ryan, glad somebody sees what I'm trying to say and not just picking part of my comments and running with it. I whole heartedly think that Richlands and Union are the clear favorites. I don't think I'm off base to think that Graham has a chance to beat James River either. Yes, Graham gave up some points this year.(27 per game)...but most of those were to some very, very good teams....and the defense has steadily improved. I think it could go either way.
Mannschild is very very defensive...always.
I was the same way when my team first started getting successful
I was the same way when my team first started getting successful
I think 2 a is loaded this year with good teams in the playoffs like 4a ! A lot of these games will come down to who executes better !
You guys have to understand glenvar folks...they finally get to the top of the mountain and don't know how to react...last year after the state game I said that it was a very ugly game and was not impressed with the play from either team...you would have thought I had just insulted their entire family. ...I have watched giles play bad...and have admitted as much on here...in 2013 Richlands came to giles...got beat handily. ...I remember folks from Richlands on here pretty much saying they just didn't have it that day...it is what it is...glenvar folks sometimes don't see that....almost lost to galax...and giles...and had all they wanted with Radford n James river....some of us that have been watching high school football for years understand that there's some pretty darn good teams outside of our eyesight ...truth is it's all about match ups...if giles can't get there...I would love to see a Richlands vs union game...last 3 decided by a total of like 5 points....glenvar thinks the bracket lines up good for them...and it may...and they also seem to think that they are that good..confidence is good...but overconfidence can be a killer...well see
I like Richlands "O" against Glenvars "D" unless they just get to the QB all day long and I don't see that happening.
Title game was horribly ugly last year.
Probably the 2nd worst game we played the entire year. Some of that due to injuries, some play calling, and some was just the Glenvar D.
Probably the 2nd worst game we played the entire year. Some of that due to injuries, some play calling, and some was just the Glenvar D.
"You guys have to understand glenvar folks...they finally get to the top of the mountain and don't know how to react..."
OH PAALEESE ghs89er..are you really serious?...I didn't miss a single Salem games for 25 years so if wisdom and knowing "how to react" were based on titles won by ones team then I am right up there with your "infinite wisdom" ghs89er and even more so.. How many titles does Giles have anyway? Nevermind..doesn't matter BECAUSE your premise of only knowing how to act if your team has climbed to the top of the mountain is just plain dumb thinking...Being a "fan" of a winning team isn't an accomplishment..even a fan of Giles. That doesn't make you wiser than a fan of a perennial losing team. In many ways I respect the long term fan of the losing team more based on sticking with a team that hasn't given them much in return.
OH PAALEESE ghs89er..are you really serious?...I didn't miss a single Salem games for 25 years so if wisdom and knowing "how to react" were based on titles won by ones team then I am right up there with your "infinite wisdom" ghs89er and even more so.. How many titles does Giles have anyway? Nevermind..doesn't matter BECAUSE your premise of only knowing how to act if your team has climbed to the top of the mountain is just plain dumb thinking...Being a "fan" of a winning team isn't an accomplishment..even a fan of Giles. That doesn't make you wiser than a fan of a perennial losing team. In many ways I respect the long term fan of the losing team more based on sticking with a team that hasn't given them much in return.
Last edited:
Well..I really hope that game happens so we can find out, but even I, one of the "green cool aid" mixers knows that will be very difficult for both teams and unlikely. Even if Glenvar gets there I really doubt Richlands and it's high powered O gets by Appomattox which has a serious O to go with a very serious D comparable to Glenvar's. They stand out to me as the best team in the field right now with Glenvar, Richlands, Union, Giles, Buckingham all about the same overall.
How many of those teams have you seen with your own eyes this season? Just curious.
I've seen half of the top 10. Appomattox and Union are legit. As is Richlands. But no one team is "heads and shoulders" above any other. Don't sleep on a Richlands D that has a 6'4 CB, another CB with 9 INTs. Two hard hitting safteys. And a front seven that has given up 50 yards rushing only twice. Unions defense has athletes all over the field. There are several good defenses. This won't be easy for any team.
Also have a good feel for Union, Appo. I'll admit not knowing much about you guys except for the fact that you lost to Union in a high scoring game which is something. Richlands seems like a team of destiny.
I've said this before...any of the six could win it and I wouldn't be surprised at all.
5 turnovers, a missed FG, and a missed XP in OT will do that to ya......
No reason to call Prognosticator a hater ! He was just giving his opinion on how he thinks it may play out. Man, if I got mad and called everyone a hater that talked about Richlands, I'd wear the H key on my keyboard out...lol.
Being a Richlands fan I have learned over the years to not take everything you hear personally and realize it is what it is........an opinion.
Now of course I happen to agree with his opinion about who may be the best teams, but the great thing about it is, we get the fun of watching it all play out on the field. Not surprisingly, I think Richlands is the best and most well rounded team in the playoffs. Strong in all three phases of the game, defense, special teams and especially on offense, but the games have to be played and a lot can happen. But I MAY be just a bit biased....lol. I thought in 2010 we had the best team, but we lost in the finals so I hope this year has a different outcome.
Graham has several good athletes and are a scary team. If they play the way they have for most of the season, they can play with just about anybody, but they do seem to be a bit of a Dr Jeckyl & Mr Hyde type of team, if your team is playing them just hope that Jeckyl doesn't show up, because when they play their best, they can play with anybody. They're a scary 1st round game.
Being a Richlands fan I have learned over the years to not take everything you hear personally and realize it is what it is........an opinion.
Now of course I happen to agree with his opinion about who may be the best teams, but the great thing about it is, we get the fun of watching it all play out on the field. Not surprisingly, I think Richlands is the best and most well rounded team in the playoffs. Strong in all three phases of the game, defense, special teams and especially on offense, but the games have to be played and a lot can happen. But I MAY be just a bit biased....lol. I thought in 2010 we had the best team, but we lost in the finals so I hope this year has a different outcome.
Graham has several good athletes and are a scary team. If they play the way they have for most of the season, they can play with just about anybody, but they do seem to be a bit of a Dr Jeckyl & Mr Hyde type of team, if your team is playing them just hope that Jeckyl doesn't show up, because when they play their best, they can play with anybody. They're a scary 1st round game.
I saw both teams early in the season. Both were inconsistent at the time but now are playing well, both are very similar teams, both have depth weaknesses on both sides of the ball that can be exploited with good coaching. Don't know about Graham coach (heard he's good) but doubt he can out coach Phillips at home. That is what I am hanging my hat on..that and that JR reminds me of bunch of hungry dogs.
The Brunswick game was the big one for us Ryan. That's the game our all state RB went down with an ankle injury. He played in Salem but wasn't near 100%. I can't remember when our center went down but he was replaced with a freshman. The atmosphere and the game itself were top notch that day though. Earned a ton of respect for the Richlands program that day.
Regardless in Salem the Glenvar D was still a huge reason. We only saw the endzone once on offense and they made a big stand at the end or we are looking at 1st down inside the 15.
I think missing the finals by losing a thriller in OT is also a driving force for Richlands this year
Regardless in Salem the Glenvar D was still a huge reason. We only saw the endzone once on offense and they made a big stand at the end or we are looking at 1st down inside the 15.
I think missing the finals by losing a thriller in OT is also a driving force for Richlands this year
Don't forget about Buckingham, that will be a great 2nd round game, if both teams win this week.
I was honestly hoping they would end up in the opposite seeds they did so I could drive to Buckingham and watch. Richlands is a little far though, plus I have to be in Blacksburg that Saturday
So many of you guys are so high on Graham I am beginning to wonder if they're really legit. When and why did that happen? Good news is that we will find out tomorrow night. I'm still not believin.
I just call it like I see it....when I said both reams looked bad in the state game last term you got all kinds of mad....why.....plenty of folks said I was right....and if you look at years past....Powell Valley and Appalachia have a pretty good one...along with Richlands and giles.....by the way giles has 4 state titles and coach mags never beat rags...
I'm all for Graham and Cousins is a good back. But if they face a team with a good front seven that gets good penetration then it won't matter much. He didnt do much against Richlands before getting hurt at the end of the half. That was week 3 though. They have a good passing game as well. Just need to tighten up that defense.
gs...I definitely would like to see your Spartans play my Spartans. (6 State Titles and 7 if you include Andrew Lewis 1964 title before school was renamed). It would be a great atmosphere both venues and Mag would be my heavy favorite to beat Rag for the first time. Yes I know Salem is 4A but that shouldn't stop you guys and both schedules would be improved. Next time I see King I am going to ask him why this hasn't happened. Is it a Giles reason or a Salem reason or why hasn't it been considered. Gate would be huge like Pulaski.
It's would be a good gate...but does salem no good...and i feel confident salem would win at least 80% of the time..lot more to choose from...rags retired after 30 years..but mags never beat him when he was at Glenvar...but it's obvious he is a good coach....has anyone noticed how other divisions are so far apart...I mean you have galax/narz rematch in 1a...blowout just two weeks back...in 2a it's a tight bunch from 3 down....look at how salem killed pulaski...and where they are in the brackets....just really believe the most competitive games are in 2a
I know the truth is something football fans sometimes don't see...I think the graham game is a pretty good match up...as far as their competition went...well...Bluefield is down...only list to them by 7 and had a chance...but Bluefield isn't as good this year as years past...Abingdon is also down...they lost to 2 running teams...Giles and galax gashed them up the middle...before the galax/graham game I told a friend of mine and gmen graduate that galax would smack them in the gut all night...if i were James river I would pound the middle...if they can they win...if not they lose....2a is very competitive....a little luck and lack of effort and anyone can fall
Abingdon only lost one game. And that was to Richlands. Who is far from a "running team", although we ran it down their throat that night.
Bluefield has 2 guys in the backfield that can take it to the house on any given play. They , like Graham have improved throughout the season. They aren't a 10 time state champion for no reason. Coach Simon has a few of his own.... If they're 'down", they can't be too far down, at 9-1. with their lone loss coming to guess who.....Richlands.
Back to Graham. Offensively, they are clicking right now. 270 points in their last 5 games. They quit sending their athletes down the sideline and started getting the ball to them in space. They made some defensive adjustments. I believe they can compete with anybody in the field, with the exception of Union and Richlands, and probably Appomattox (don't know, haven't seen them).
I would put money on Richlands winning the D-3 title this year, if they were in D-3....and I would pick them to be one of the top 4 in D-4. This team is excellent in all phases of the game, they are big, strong, fast, skilled and well coached. They have athletes all over the field and we're talking about a couple of guys that will probably go D 1, and several that will play on saturdays in lower divisions. That is very impressive for 2A. They are very well coached and right now are a well oiled machine. Union is right up there with them. They both have exceptionally good teams this year.
Good Luck!!
Back to Graham. Offensively, they are clicking right now. 270 points in their last 5 games. They quit sending their athletes down the sideline and started getting the ball to them in space. They made some defensive adjustments. I believe they can compete with anybody in the field, with the exception of Union and Richlands, and probably Appomattox (don't know, haven't seen them).
I would put money on Richlands winning the D-3 title this year, if they were in D-3....and I would pick them to be one of the top 4 in D-4. This team is excellent in all phases of the game, they are big, strong, fast, skilled and well coached. They have athletes all over the field and we're talking about a couple of guys that will probably go D 1, and several that will play on saturdays in lower divisions. That is very impressive for 2A. They are very well coached and right now are a well oiled machine. Union is right up there with them. They both have exceptionally good teams this year.
Good Luck!!