Congrats

[DanvilleSportsHead]

Congrats to CJ Graves of GW Danville on breaking former GW/Virginia Tech/NY Giants RB David Wilson's single game touchdown record with 8 touchdowns tonight. He had 5 rushing scores and 3 punt returns for touchdowns in GW's 78-0 win over a vastly improved Patrick County team. As I've stated before this kid is arguably the one of the best players in 4A West. I'm very happy for this kid. He fumbled with GW driving down 28-21 against Salem last November that eventually led to the backbreaker and he worked extremely hard this offseason. Great kid and all he's been talking about is leading this team to Lynchburg the second weekend in December. Congrats to him and GW!

 

[hrsepasture1]

Congrats to Graves on the record, but according to the Danville paper Patrick Co only had 15 varsity players able to play and GW was up 58-0 at the half and Graves played the whole second half scoring 3 tds in the 2nd half. Sounds like getting somebody a record at a vastly out manned teams expense

 

[DanvilleSportsHead]

To be fair, NC State Commit Tim Glass and Carlos Ballard didn't play (2 of GW's best defensive players) and GW played a lot of JV players. 8 TDs is 8 TDs and that's hard to do on any level. Not to mention, this is the same Patrick County team who almost beat William Campbell, a 1A contender, just this past Monday. This isn't the Patrick County we've seen the past 3 seasons. Congrats to the young man. Very humble and all around good kid.

 

[shauntclair]

Congrats but I still see this as embarrassing......for GW. I believe in stepping on a team's neck when you have them down but I don't draw and quarter them. Is the phrase "take a knee" familiar?

 

[DanvilleSportsHead]

After that butt beating Tunstall put on them the 1st half Monday, they had no choice but to come out "guns blazing". When you play in the weakest district in the state of Virginia I think you have to make statements like this.

 

[hrsepasture1]

What kind of statement are you making by doing this? The 58 points in the first half I have no problem with, but to leave him in with a running clock in the 2nd half just to get more tds against a team with 15 healthy players, well I might be to old school, but I know what kind of statement that makes to me. Good luck to GW the rest of the year, hope the kids do really well in the playoffs.

 

[DanvilleSportsHead]

They shouldn't have punted to him, simple as that lol...I understand what you're saying and if they hadn't got their azz handed to them by Tunstall on Monday, I think that would've been the case.

 

[DanvilleSportsHead]

And I wouldn't say they were picking on Patrick Co, I'm positive they'll do the same to Bassett, Martinsville, Halifax and Magna Vista. They were up by a HEALTHY margin last year against MV and went for 2. These kids see the Salem, the JF, the Sherando, and Champe love on here and I know and they know that they deserve to be apart of that championship talk also.

 

[anon_vu6vqwsr4nf3b]

At this point I think Salem or GW will come out of the West.

 

[hrsepasture1]

It's just a shame to me that some think you have to humiliate a team to get the respect you think you deserve. Guess Martinsville better watch out this week, a 60 spot is on the way. Gotta get that "shine"!

 

[DanvilleSportsHead]

Didn't Magna Vista run the score up on Halifax the other week? McGuire went like 5-5 passing in the second half..But you have it though. GL to your Warriors when they come to Broad St in a couple weeks.

 

[ridge98]

Sorry, but McGuire stats were all before halftime. He finished 16-16. They only scored once after the half. I guess what GW does is their business, me personally i wouldn't risk a injury to a starter when the game was decided in the 1st quarter.

 

[mike salem]

To be fair, NC State Commit Tim Glass and Carlos Ballard didn't play (2 of GW's best defensive players) and GW played a lot of JV players. 8 TDs is 8 TDs and that's hard to do on any level. Not to mention, this is the same Patrick County team who almost beat William Campbell, a 1A contender, just this past Monday. This isn't the Patrick County we've seen the past 3 seasons. Congrats to the young man. Very humble and all around good kid.

Congratulations that is a big accomplishment.

Completely unrelated to this story, but scores like these and teams only having 15 players makes you wonder why we have mandatory district schedules. Teams like PC/CC should not be on the same football field with GW/Salem. That sounds elitist and arrogant, but the JV'S for GW/Salem could beat PC/CC by 5 TD'S+. No comparison and no reason they should be forced to play each other.

I agree Hoos, but until someone knocks Salem off, they're still definitely the favorites. Salem is well coached and IMO the best program in the state year in and year out. I think GW is the fastest and most athletic team in 4a West but can they play disciplined football and limit mistakes and not get the "big head" is my question. I've talked to Tim Glass, the sophomore QB Sam Branch, and Graves and it's just a different attitude this year. Now whether that holds up remains to be seen, but I definitely think this team is going to shock a lot of you.

Always been impressed with GW's talent. They are in the discussion for the West. There are so many undefeated teams right now, they have been overlooked. Salem/Pulaski & Champe/Heritage will knock 2 from the undefeated ranks. GW still has a chance for a bye, just have to take care of business. Some people are overlooking GW because they lost a lot.Salem lost probably more than anyone and I still see potential for a run to Lynchburg if they can heal up and stop having new injuries. Champe/Heritage is an unknown/unproven. Hard to say what they will bring. Playoffs will show who belongs in the discussion, for now GW is definitely top 4 in my book for the West. Sherando, JF, Salem, GW, in whatever order you like. Champe, Woodgrove, Pulaski, Heritage next 4 imo

 

[southbottomU]

Salem scored 77 in first half against Hidden Valley-----0 second half. Watched Salem put a thumpin on a lot of teams over the years but never once did they run up the score. Looks like GW ran up the score in this game against Patrick County. Patrick County and Carroll County are probably the worst 4a teams in the state and probably will always be extremely weak

 

[hrsepasture1]

Not my Warriors, just a hs fan who happens to live in the area. Ridge is right though, McGuire stats were all 1st half. No problem with that. By the way I think GW will beat MV, but the 4A west playoffs will be a different animal

 

[ShadesMcgrades]

Hrsepasture you giving up on the Warriors against gw?? Lol

 

[ShadesMcgrades]

McGuire didn't see the field in second half, I was there

 

[DanvilleSportsHead]

Hey lets just congratulate this young man on his accomplishments. Whether it's on the Patrick County Cougars or the BYU Cougars, 8 TDs is 8 TDs. If GW ran the score up or if Magna Vista ran the score up..I could really give a rat's tail. Kid's a senior and doesn't have an abundance of offers so I don't see the problem of showcasing his talents. Y'all act as if they passed the football the entire second half.

 

[shauntclair]

Her's what should have happened. Not a single starter plays the second half. Not a pass is thrown. Punts and kickoff a are downed immediately. The most frequently called play is "take a knee". IMO.

GW ran up the score to get this kid his 8TD's against a helpless opponent and set a record. It's like a 20 year old setting the 100 yard dash record in the geriatric class. What does it really mean to anyone? Class and Sportsmanship are two of the primary things HS Sports should teach. GW showed neither yesterday.

 

[DanvilleSportsHead]

DanvilleSportsHead I'm good with promoting any young athlete in helping get him first and foremost a solid education at the next level after high school no matter what division. I feel you had best intentions but text messaging is hard to decipher sometimes and people can take them with however they are feeling at the moment. Best regards and no one doubts the talent GW has just emotions run high when it's high school football.

Same here brother!! Wasn't trying to call MV out and my bad on the misinformation I got on McGuire for the Halifax game. All love!

 

[DanvilleSportsHead]

Her's what should have happened. Not a single starter plays the second half. Not a pass is thrown. Punts and kickoff a are downed immediately. The most frequently called play is "take a knee". IMO.

GW ran up the score to get this kid his 8TD's against a helpless opponent and set a record. It's like a 20 year old setting the 100 yard dash record in the geriatric class. What does it really mean to anyone? Class and Sportsmanship are two of the primary things HS Sports should teach. GW showed neither yesterday.

Think you need to do your research. 5 TDs on 13 carries for 114 yards and 3 punt returns for TDs (they simply could've kicked the ball out of bounds)...Not 25 carries...13!! I don't know how that's running the score up and showing no class.

 

[shauntclair]

Think you need to do your research. 5 TDs on 13 carries for 114 yards and 3 punt returns for TDs (they simply could've kicked the ball out of bounds)...Not 25 carries...13!! I don't know how that's running the score up and showing no class.

Why was he even in the game in the 2nd half? Why did he not fair catch the punts? To get the record. The Coach said so himself. You have your opinion. I have mine.

 

[southbottomU]

Why was he even in the game in the 2nd half? To get the record. The Coach said so himself. You have your opinion. I have mine.

In all the years of watching Salem football not once under Willis White or Steve Magenbauer has Salem played a player to break a record---in fact I don't think individual records are ever talked about by the players or staff.

 

[DinwiddieProud]

I take nothing away from Graves. Good for him.

But I would be embarrassed if our coach had not tried to show the maximum amount of sportsmanship possible in a game like this. And I don't know that the GW coach didn't do his best. But, it doesn't appear like he did.

I think anyone, including players, that think they gain anyone's respect by putting up big numbers against a hapless team, needs to take a refresher course in Sportsmanship 101.

A tip of the hat Coaches White and Mags. I've seen other good coaches take players out of a game even when they may have been close to one record or another, simply because it was what the game circumstances called for. When records are more important than sportsmanship and good coaching, it's time to get a new coach!

 

[tommythecpa]

McGuire???

Post was in regards to C.J. Graves of GW Danville not Shaolin McGuire of Magna Vista?

Patrick County dressed 23 players. They should not be playing GW , but they have won 2 games. They are getting better.
This is an example of the economic problems of Southside VA. The current Piedmont district is result of need. People have left the area and this is what the schools could come with.

 

[DinwiddieProud]

My mistake, was more focused on what I wanted to say than getting his name correct. I apologize. Thanks mvwarrior.

 

[graybeau92]

I take nothing away from Graves. Good for him.

But I would be embarrassed if our coach had not tried to show the maximum amount of sportsmanship possible in a game like this. And I don't know that the GW coach didn't do his best. But, it doesn't appear like he did.

I think anyone, including players, that think they gain anyone's respect by putting up big numbers against a hapless team, needs to take a refresher course in Sportsmanship 101.

A tip of the hat Coaches White and Mags. I've seen other good coaches take players out of a game even when they may have been close to one record or another, simply because it was what the game circumstances called for. When records are more important than sportsmanship and good coaching, it's time to get a new coach!

Be careful with your finger pointing, i am sure you weren't there nor do you have any idea how things happened, the player returned 1 punt and ran 1 play from scrimmage in the 2nd half to obtain this record,and he did it with every 2nd and 3rd string player the team has on the sideline.The GW coach prides himself on sportsmanship, and doing the right thing. There are teams in every conference that have games that are lopsided, and the clock should run whenever the score starts to get out of hand not just in the 2nd half. those rules come from above and we just have to play by them. So ease up, if you don't know the circumstances then maybe you shouldn't criticize someone you don't know!

 

[redzone4us]

It's not up the the offense to hold the score down. It's up the opposing defense. If your defense lays down or gives up, then you have bigger problems than a team running the score up

 

[DanvilleSportsHead]

Well said @graybeau92

 

[DanvilleSportsHead]

In all the years of watching Salem football not once under Willis White or Steve Magenbauer has Salem played a player to break a record---in fact I don't think individual records are ever talked about by the players or staff.

GW is not Salem. 2 very different programs. 2 extremely different cultures. Just congratulate the kid and move on.

Why was he even in the game in the 2nd half? Why did he not fair catch the punts? To get the record. The Coach said so himself. You have your opinion. I have mine.

If GW would've baked this team cupcakes and spotted them 35 points you still would find something negative to say. All due respect but your statement makes absolutely no sense. No player that is trying to go to the next level is going to do that. I don't know what kind of football you watch up there at Courtland sir but that sounds absolutely absurd.

 

[shauntclair]

GW is not Salem. 2 very different programs. 2 extremely different cultures. Just congratulate the kid and move on.


If GW would've baked this team cupcakes and spotted them 35 points you still would find something negative to say. All due respect but your statement makes absolutely no sense. No player that is trying to go to the next level is going to do that. I don't know what kind of football you watch up there at Courtland sir but that sounds absolutely absurd.

Again, we simply have very different opinions. Let's leave it at that.

 

[cutnjump]

Again, we simply have very different opinions. Let's leave it at that.

Shauntclair and Dinwiddie are exactly correct. Don't fall out of your chair Shaunt. ;-). Graves shouldn't have been in the game at all anywhere near the second half. There was absolutely no business trying to get a record against that team and the fact that Patrick County is even compelled to play GW is a major problem with the current classification system. I don't know how anybody who knows what the history of the GW program is could be remotely pleased with what transpired at JT Christopher stadium against Patrick County. In my opinion, it was an embarrassment to the legacy of a historically good program.

 

[VaPrepsRod]

GW is not Salem. 2 very different programs. 2 extremely different cultures. Just congratulate the kid and move on.

If GW would've baked this team cupcakes and spotted them 35 points you still would find something negative to say. All due respect but your statement makes absolutely no sense. No player that is trying to go to the next level is going to do that. I don't know what kind of football you watch up there at Courtland sir but that sounds absolutely absurd.

Are you starting to build a case that scoring those eight touchdowns in a game against Patrick County was to boost his stock to recruiters?

If so............don't.

 

[DanvilleSportsHead]

Never said that @VaPrepsRod...But have it your way. Congrats to CJ Graves!

 

[VaPrepsRod]

Never said that @VaPrepsRod...But have it your way. Congrats to CJ Graves!

That's why I formed the sentence as a question. Thanks for the clarification.

Congrats to CJ! No matter how it was done, it's an amazing accomplishment.

 

[shauntclair]

Shauntclair and Dinwiddie are exactly correct. Don't fall out of your chair Shaunt. ;-). Graves shouldn't have been in the game at all anywhere near the second half. There was absolutely no business trying to get a record against that team and the fact that Patrick County is even compelled to play GW is a major problem with the current classification system. I don't know how anybody who knows what the history of the GW program is could be remotely pleased with what transpired at JT Christopher stadium against Patrick County. In my opinion, it was an embarrassment to the legacy of a historically good program.

HELP! I've fallen and I can't get up!

 

[graybeau92]

It's time to move on, its a new week, new team, etc. No coach ever asks his kids to give less than 100% on each play, much less take a knee, run out of bounds so you don't score, so let's do ourselves a favor and see how the rest of the season finishes, and then we all can comment!

 

[shauntclair]

It's time to move on, its a new week, new team, etc. No coach ever asks his kids to give less than 100% on each play, much less take a knee, run out of bounds so you don't score, so let's do ourselves a favor and see how the rest of the season finishes, and then we all can comment!

You and I will also respectfully disagree. Taking a knee is exactly what should have happened. Fair catches are exactly what should have happened. Running out off bounds is exactly what should have happened. Graves should never have put a foot on the field in the second half is exactly what should have happened. No one is asking for a kid to play less than 100%. What we should be asking of the Coachs is showing the kids under their charge how to do the right thing. The right road is often the hardest.

The kid wasn't in there to win the game. It was already won. He was in there to break the record. The Coach said so himself. But he did it against the second team of the Girl Scouts of America. I'm sorry, but that's not a record I want. We'll just disagree here. You teach your kids what you wish. I won't discuss this any further with anyone.

 

[DinwiddieProud]

My apology for stepping out of line. It was not meant to be direct comment against GW. Only that I hope all coaches will hold their competitors in high regards. Because in the end, it's all about the lessons we impart on our kids.

And yes, not being there, my statement was probably too strong, while just trying to express my opinion.

And here is a good example. We played Colonial Heights in our Championship year and I believe the final score was 77-0 or 77-6. And anyone that knows the disparity between the abilities of these two teams would quickly cry foul at the score. But like you said, if you were not there, you probably would not be aware of the restraint that was shown in that game. We had liberal substitutions starting with the second set of downs both ways. The 2's & 3's and JV's were in the entire game. The JV's moved the ball at will, and played crushing defense. So yeah, the score looks bad from the outside looking in, but everything reasonable was done. So your point is well taken.

On a related note, one thing that I think a coach should never do is to tells his players to throttle back. I see that as an insult to the opposing team, and counter to good coaching principles. You teach your players to go hard and finish every play. Put in a conservative game plan and tell the kids to give 100%.

 

[DinwiddieProud]

And I'm a strong advocate of a policy change that gives teams the option to substitute district games for more appropriate completion. The bonus associated with playing districts completion will need to be removed. If these changes are incorporated, I think we will see fewer and fewer "overwhelming" match ups. It doesn't have to be dictated or mandated, the AD's know what needs to happen to benifit their program. Allow this and give it a couple of two year cycles and grossly mismatched teams will happen a lot less often.