Contenders This year?

[lucustookis]

Region C and D looks to be very tough. Looks like Appo and Dan River are the favorites in C and Graham, Richlands and Union will duke it out in D. As GHS said earlier, Martinsville could be in the hunt as well. I also have to believe my brother Chris Akers will have Gate City in the hunt. I'd have to go
A- Goochland
B- Clarke
C- Dan River
D- Graham

Hard to believe that Graham has a young man that is just as good as Cousins at RB and that's scary.
I'll go Goochland over Clarke, Graham over Dan River...

Gimme Goochland by a field goal over Graham for the state championship.

An old college friend of mine that teaches at VT who lives in Blacksburg, but travels to Bluefield regularly to watch Graham tells me that they have 2 RBs better than Cousins, and they are loaded with even more athletes this year. Additionally, he said they may get a kid named "Trask or " Trusk" or something of this sort from Bluefield, WV, who has already received FBS looks. Maybe Graham fans can comment on that. The same thing this year from what I hear about Graham is similar to last year. Loaded with skilled players and as fast or equally as fast as anyteam in the state including Appo, but the question mark is up front. This is what my friend tells me and its also what I read on this board.

I played High School ball in the 80s at Nottoway, then Southampton my junior and senior years. I recall how Graham used to have mammoth college-sized lines, but relatively slow, but brutal up front. Times have changed. I just can't imagine Graham being small up front.

 

[eh31]

An old college friend of mine that teaches at VT who lives in Blacksburg, but travels to Bluefield regularly to watch Graham tells me that they have 2 RBs better than Cousins, and they are loaded with even more athletes this year. Additionally, he said they may get a kid named "Trask or " Trusk" or something of this sort from Bluefield, WV, who has already received FBS looks. Maybe Graham fans can comment on that. The same thing this year from what I hear about Graham is similar to last year. Loaded with skilled players and as fast or equally as fast as anyteam in the state including Appo, but the question mark is up front. This is what my friend tells me and its also what I read on this board.

I played High School ball in the 80s at Nottoway, then Southampton my junior and senior years. I recall how Graham used to have mammoth college-sized lines, but relatively slow, but brutal up front. Times have changed. I just can't imagine Graham being small up front.

I heard the rumors about "Truck" Edwards transferring to Graham to Bluefield.. he's a brute, a heck of a player, but I doubt it happens.

Graham has two or 3 very capable running backs tho year that can collectively match Cousin's production but there's not 1 individual that's more talented than him.

Cam Allen switching to QB from WR will be the biggest boost in Graham's offense I believe. No offense to Ben Meade from last year but Cam has another gear. It'd be crazy not to get him and Taymon Cooke in some option scenarios.

Graham's line will still be undersized. Their biggest lineman graduated and the ones coming back probably will average in the 230 range.

Graham should be very good this year but your source is feeding the hype a little too much at this point.

 

[19GHS87]

May be rumors and talk, but Graham may actually win the transfer war in Tazewell Co. This season.

 

[obguthr]

May be rumors and talk, but Graham may actually win the transfer war in Tazewell Co. This season.

I just hope Giles has a better go with the "G" teams this year. We lost all three last year, I believe. Galax, Graham, and Glenvar. That was the worst 3 week stretch the Spartans have had in years. Galax is off the schedule this year and replaced with new district rival Alleghany.

 

[DanvilleSportsHead]

I just hope Giles has a better go with the "G" teams this year. We lost all three last year, I believe. Galax, Graham, and Glenvar. That was the worst 3 week stretch the Spartans have had in years. Galax is off the schedule this year and replaced with new district rival Alleghany.

That may be the most mountainous drive in the whole state from Low Moor to Pearisburg. It'll be fun to see how Carroll and Alleghany fair in the new district.

 

[obguthr]

That maybe the most mountainous drive in the whole state from Low Moor to Pearisburg. It'll be fun to see how Carroll and Alleghany fair in the new district.

That and Narrows to Warm Springs in the Pioneer. Honaker to Hurley is a delightfully scenic trip too.

 

[lucustookis]

Graham should be very good this year but your source is feeding the hype a little too much at this point.

I am not sure what the expectations are from Graham fans regarding my source being hyped or not. He's telling me they are going to be about what they were last year. Graham made it to the final 8 I think last year before losing in the final 8. So, that's the "Ballpark" my source is giving me. Therefore, if Graham being about as good as they were last year is something most Graham fans don't feel is the case, then it is indeed hype. At the other end of the spectrum, he's not saying they are a state title team either. Like I wrote, about what they were and similar to last year.

 

[19GHS87]

I am very high on Graham this year. Having an undersized line is what beat them last year, deep in the playoffs. They had as much talent on the field at the skill positions as anybody. They are returning a ton of talent and will their QB will be extremely dangerous. They will have 2 very good RB's and arguably the best WR and return man in 2A in Cooke even if the Bluefield transfers don't come over. It may just be rumors, but we will see. My feeling is that they will be "better" than last season and they are rumored to get some much needed help on the line transferring in. True or not, Graham will be a very dangerous team. In my estimation, they will be more dangerous offensively this season than last. The QB for me will be the biggest upgrade. Meade was a talented QB, but Allen has good size, a very good arm, and is an exceptional athlete.

 

[AntGZee]

Jordan Hundley will be Martinsville's QB this year. I will go as far as saying that, " TJ Pettway is the BEST WR in 2A". My Dawgs will make a some noise this year.

 

[Mr.Moe]

I heard Clark would have a very good line on both sides of the ball but have either freshmen or sophomores at the skill positions...well RB/QB as they may only pass 10 times all season. They will probably win the Bull run and one or two playoff games but I'd bet that is about it. Watch out for Central (Woodstock).

Kyle Baylor was a starter last year returns as a JR, and Cole Lawson who saw a lot of playing time is a SR, not sure who else they are planning on using will find out next week at scrimmage

 

[VolNation85]

Jordan Hundley will be Martinsville's QB this year. I will go as far as saying that, " TJ Pettway is the BEST WR in 2A". My Dawgs will make a some noise this year.

Have you ever seen Cooke at Graham or Graves at Appomattox play? I ask because I have not seen Pettway play but have seen the other two play. That's a bold statement to say that Pettway is the best in 2A, especially if you have not seen the other two play.

 

[AntGZee]

I gave my opinion. In my opinion, I believe that Pettway is the best WR in 2A. I never said he was the best player.

 

[AntGZee]

My mistake, Pettway is one of the best WRs in 2A, Class 2 or whatever it is that they call it now.

 

[Firstdown22]

For Clarke looks like sophomore Rutherford will start at running back and sophomore child's will start at quarterback with junior Baylor and senior Lawson splitting time at wing back.

 

[b.Di3_2016RU]

Have you ever seen Cooke at Graham or Graves at Appomattox play? I ask because I have not seen Pettway play but have seen the other two play. That's a bold statement to say that Pettway is the best in 2A, especially if you have not seen the other two play.

Union has a pretty decent receiver as well..

 

[AntGZee]

Ok?

 

[DanvilleSportsHead]

@AdvocateOfMany434 @Hampton Roads 6 do either of you know what Dan River's JV QB looked like last year? I doubt they ever have another varsity QB like Zemar Anderson again. 6'3 210 freight train that could throw it. N E V E R.

 

[AntGZee]

Is Zemar Anderson going to college anywhere?

 

[DanvilleSportsHead]

Is Zemar Anderson going to college anywhere?

Good question Ant. Him and Devin Stone were both elite talents. I wasn't in Danville this summer so I haven't heard anything about either. Anderson was big time IMO.

 

[AntGZee]

Will Dan River be as good as last year? DSH, remember this name, Nigal Davis!!! His name will be spoken of often this year. He plays RB for Martinsville. He's a local product. He was in Knoxville, Tn for two years. He's now back in his hometown. He will be a welcomed edition to the Dawgs.

 

[DanvilleSportsHead]

Will Dan River be as good as last year? DSH, remember this name, Nigal Davis!!! His name will be spoken of often this year. He plays RB for Martinsville. He's a local product. He was in Knoxville, Tn for two years. He's now back in his hometown. He will be a welcomed edition to the Dawgs.

I have no doubt that your Dawgs will be a tough out this year.. Hell I personally think they'll be a top 5 2a team before the season is over. They play about as tough as schedule as a 2a can play. Dan River, Magna Vista and GW. If Hundley can get the ball to Pettway and this young man Davis can pick up where Hairston left off at RB, Martinsville will be a very scary team.

 

[AntGZee]

I think the RB tandem will be better this year. We can forget about EJ Bratcher at TE. My Dawgs will be loaded with weapons. I do agree, if Jordan Hundley can be solid at the QB position, then ( in my Dollar Bill voice ) Trouble Trouble!!!!

 

[DanvilleSportsHead]

And Dan River always gets athletes. They've been scary in the 4x1 in track and I think they've been in the top 2 in the 100 and 200 the past 5-6 years in the 2a state track championships. They'll have plenty of speed for the 2a level. They'll get 1 or 2 transfers from GW and they'll be formidable, well at least to the second round of the playoffs. They have a young man named Raven Caldwell who will take the reigns at RB over from Durant. Jaylen Fitzgerald is a big time threat at WR but he needs a QB to get him the ball. The lines are always country strong and they aren't afraid to hit you on defense. They'll be young but talented like Martinsville. I plan to go to the Dan River/GW benefit game next week so we'll know a little more after that game.

 

[AntGZee]

It should be an interesting season this year. I'm anxious about that Magna Vista Reidsville game.

 

[DanvilleSportsHead]

It should be an interesting season this year. I'm anxious about that Magna Vista Reidsville game.

I can see Martinsville beating MV or Danville this year. If Martinsville would've caught the ball then they could've beaten Danville last year and Martinsville should've beat MV too. The Piedmont is going to be real good this year. MV, GW, Martinsville and Franklin County will be good this year.

 

[Ryan4VT]

Skill players are all fun and well, but if your line can't block the defense and give those skill players holes or give the QB time to find a WR, then skill doesn't matter. It all starts up front. To compete for a title in 2A, you have to have good line play. How does Mavahi look on the lines?

 

[AntGZee]

We lost kids to graduation. I won't get a true idea of what the lines are capable of until the first game. I returned back to Martinsville in 2010; then until now, the O line has been ok at times.

 

[VolNation85]

Union has a pretty decent receiver as well..

Are you referring to Mitchell?

 

[b.Di3_2016RU]

I was. All this talk about who the hands down best receivers in 2A were and thought it odd to forget him.

 

[eh31]

I was. All this talk about who the hands down best receivers in 2A were and thought it odd to forget him.

Probably because everyone knows him as a TE instead of a WR

 

[VolNation85]

I was. All this talk about who the hands down best receivers in 2A were and thought it odd to forget him.

I think because most people view him as a TE more than a WR.

 

[AdvocateOfMany434]

@AdvocateOfMany434 @Hampton Roads 6 do either of you know what Dan River's JV QB looked like last year? I doubt they ever have another varsity QB like Zemar Anderson again. 6'3 210 freight train that could throw it. N E V E R.

Nah, i didnt make that game last year. It was in DR and they beat Appo last year if I remember correctly.

 

[AdvocateOfMany434]

Graves is a "GOOD" WR, he has always had questionable hands. He has great route running, leaping abilities, and speed that will give anyone trouble at WR. He is by far a better CB, that is my opinion. Buster Henderson had the best hands I have ever seen come out of Appomattox in recent years. That dude just didnt drop a ball. That senior core of 2015 (Buster, Dre Perkins, and Deshawn Thomas) with Graves were DANGEROUS! I cant remember 1 time either of them 3 seniors dropped a ball during their tenure at Appomattox. I felt bad for Scruggs last year. There were entirely too many balls dropped by Appo receivers.

 

[lucustookis]

Pettway from Martinsville is THE best WR in AA/Class 2 that I have seen. Cooke is a better athlete form Graham, but he's more of a natural DB guy, and he's one skilled DB for sure. With that written, I put Cooke as the best DB in AA/Class2. He is being recruited primarily as a DB/Athlete, and not so much as a WR. Mich State, WVU, and UVA have offered him from what I read on 247 sports. The Tight End, Mitchell from Union is exactly that....he's a Tight End recruited as a TE by everyone on the East Coast. He's not recruited by any team as a WR, and is not projected as a WR. A Wide Receiver and Tight End are two different positions. With that written, Mitchell is the best TE not just in AA/Class 2, but in the state of Virginia. He's the real deal and an All-American type player. Sure, some WR's can come inside and block well, and some TE's can get out in space and run like the wind, but again, the two are still different and this is why folks in this thread didn't mention Mitchell as a WR. As for Pettway, Martinsville needs to find ways to get the kid the football more, especially in open space. He is a special player.

 

[AntGZee]

Lucustookis, you're on the money. Pettway is the real deal. If our QB can get him the ball then it's gonna be electric!!! McMicheal will find out Friday what TJ has.

 

[19GHS87]

Graham just got a much needed transfer on the offensive line. Won't mention any names. Not sure everything is finalized, but a very nice addition

 

[Bo Bob]

What's up with all the "transfers"? Where are these kids coming from? Sounds like kids are being "encouraged" to move to schools.

 

[taz-dog]

Graham just got a much needed transfer on the offensive line. Won't mention any names. Not sure everything is finalized, but a very nice addition

Dang! That was fast LOL you have some very good intel

 

[19GHS87]

I know somebody who knows somebody.

 

[taz-dog]

I know somebody who knows somebody.

Did your somebody tell you he went to Richlands?