Should be a good one between formidable opponents…I know Graham’s D is tough and Glenvar’s QB is very talented. Thoughts?
From what I've seen on film, I think Graham is just too physical on both sides of the ball. I know many enjoy the fancy passing games, but this time of year, it's the defense and run game that usually wins. Heck, I'd line Lilly and Palmer up in the Wildcat and let them gash them and force them to stop itHaving seen Glenvar and Graham, I would be surprised if Glenvar won playing on the road up there. Glenvar can win, but it will require a flawless game. Union played nearly flawless having no turnovers and less than 50 penalty yards and they got some first downs and killed some clock and still lost. Glenvar in order to win must not give up the big play and force Graham to drive the field for points. They also must shore up their front 7 defensively and not let Graham gash them on the ground.
Glenvar has to match Grahams physicality up front on both sides of the ball and that is a tall task. I favor Graham playing at home, but Glenvar is capable of winning. Should be a good one. Graham is just very difficult to beat at Mitchell Stadium, especially when the cold weather has set in for the mountains and teams not from there do have an adjustment because it's just a different kind of cold. If at Glenvar, I think it's a toss up. Playing at Graham, I favor Grahsm by 7 to 10
Graham couldn’t get their offense going last year against Radford. Radford’s defense game planned well for that game. How is Glenvar’s defense? This year’s offense for Graham didn’t have one superstar like a Ty’Drez but they have several very talented athletes and can spread it out well. Glenvar has a lot more defensive game planning in my opinion than Radford had to do. That’s just my opinion others might disagree. I thought Graham’s defense did pretty well against Radford & their QB. He was just another level of talent.Reminds me of the Graham/Radford game last year. The Glenvar QB is awesome, but I will say, Graham should be better prepared for a QB like that after last year. Overall this Glenvar team isn’t as good as last years a Radford and this years Graham team is better than last years (IMO) so I give the edge to the Gmen. I feel pretty confident we are headed for a Graham/Poqouson showdown for the ship.
Roanoke County. Not SalemI estimate that Graham is slightly better on defense this year and slightly worse on offense. I won't say they are better or worse overall, still elite if not the best team in the state. Glenvar is nowhere near as good as Radford was last year. I think Glenvar was even better last year.
Long story short, I think Graham can win 28-7. Glenvar may not even score.
I also think if I had to bet the house, Graham wins in Salem.
Add Floyd into that mix for the Wildcat too. He’s the one we first saw it utilized with back in 2022 if I remember accurately.From what I've seen on film, I think Graham is just too physical on both sides of the ball. I know many enjoy the fancy passing games, but this time of year, it's the defense and run game that usually wins. Heck, I'd line Lilly and Palmer up in the Wildcat and let them gash them and force them to stop it
Sorry, talking about the state championship.Roanoke County. Not Salem
Correct. It had a little bit different look back then.Add Floyd into that mix for the Wildcat too. He’s the one we first saw it utilized with back in 2022 if I remember accurately.
It’s definitely hard to replace a Clements. This is the first year in a long time, Graham doesn’t have a Clements, Bradshaw, Allen , etc. They do have a lot of talented athletes who can make plays though. They have speed & athleticism. We’ll see if it’s enough come Saturday. Glenvar’s QB is very talented, can throw as well as any I’ve seen but seems to have decent speed: Graham’s D better live in the backfield & not give him time to throw.Graham is significantly lesser on offense this year without Jennings and Clements. Let’s not kid ourselves here, you don’t like a talent like that and not suffer a dramatic drop off. Defense is much better but the offense isn’t great by any means.
Not great, but paired with that defense, good enoughGraham is significantly lesser on offense this year without Jennings and Clements. Let’s not kid ourselves here, you don’t like a talent like that and not suffer a dramatic drop off. Defense is much better but the offense isn’t great by any means.
I agree with your assessment. I'll take G-Men by 20Having seen Glenvar and Graham, I would be surprised if Glenvar won playing on the road up there. Glenvar can win, but it will require a flawless game. Union played nearly flawless having no turnovers and less than 50 penalty yards and they got some first downs and killed some clock and still lost. Glenvar in order to win must not give up the big play and force Graham to drive the field for points. They also must shore up their front 7 defensively and not let Graham gash them on the ground.
Glenvar has to match Grahams physicality up front on both sides of the ball and that is a tall task. I favor Graham playing at home, but Glenvar is capable of winning. Should be a good one. Graham is just very difficult to beat at Mitchell Stadium, especially when the cold weather has set in for the mountains and teams not from there do have an adjustment because it's just a different kind of cold. If at Glenvar, I think it's a toss up. Playing at Graham, I favor Grahsm by 10
I agree. Get the ball to Chris Edwards in space and let him make plays. Blake Graham and Cambel Fix are playmakers too.From what little i have watched Graham, Edwards is the kid with the true playmaking ability. No offense, im sure there are others, but from what little i have watched them, he could take over a game. They need to find more ways to get that kid the ball and I think Graham is a more explosive team on offense
Is there a place to watch the Alleghany/Glenvar game? I’ve watched other Glenvar games the past couple days but can’t find that one. I’d say it’s a close one and could go either way depending on if Graham’s defense can stop the Glenvar QB & their passing game.Defense wins when money is on the table. Graham has that in spades so I would be hard pressed to pick against them. As someone else stated earlier this Glenvar team is good with a solid QB but this isn't the Radford team from last year. I will put it this way, Alleghany was a very good 3A team this year that beat Glenvar handily, but this Graham defense is better so read into that what you want. I will take Graham 28-7
Good luck to both teams and safe travels
Looks like the common opinion on Glenvar/Graham is that Graham wins by 3 touchdowns and that Glenvar doesn't have much of a chance in Bluefield against superior talent on a cold day.Should be a good one between formidable opponents…I know Graham’s D is tough and Glenvar’s QB is very talented. Thoughts?
I definitely think it will be a close one. At this stage of the game , every team has to take every opponent serious and anything can happen. After all, those are kids on the field and with kids you never know. I don’t think weather plays a factor. It’s going to be nicer than the past two games held at Mitchell. Looking forward to a good game between two talented well respected programs! Flip a coin 50/50 which team wins!Looks like the common opinion on Glenvar/Graham is that Graham wins by 3 touchdowns and that Glenvar doesn't have much of a chance in Bluefield against superior talent on a cold day.
Don't forget that it took a "miracle play" by Radford at the very end in the Regional final last year to get past Glenvar. I believe this team is a little better offensively, as good defensively, and better on special teams. It's obviously going to come down to big plays by Glenvar versus a grind it out running game by Graham.
The temp is forecasted at 36 degrees and sunny with 10mph winds. The cold hasn't seemed to slow the passing game down at all in the last couple of games so I don't think that is going to be a factor. Grahams secondary is where the game will be ultimately decided. Glenvar will get enough stops on defense and enough big play offense to get the win in a close one in Bluefield. Go Highlanders! Glenvar 28-21