Richlands has to play Tazewell this week. That’s not an automatic W like it used to be.
Graham.
- Thread starter 19GHS87
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Richlands has to play Tazewell this week. That’s not an automatic W like it used to be.
May be a year away, but there's little doubt Tazwell will be a serious player in 2A Region D next year
Heard Graham has added two players to the roster. Hopefully, they will help on defense at least.
Ryan4VT
VaPreps Varsity
When you’ve been beaten 15 straight games, it’s hard to overcome that losing mentality. Look at how long it took Graham to overcome losing to Richlands 13 out of 14 times since 2004. But Tazewell will be a scary team the next two years for sure.
Its hard fot the youngsters to remember Tazewell winning 10 of 11 just prior to this streak and Graham winning 17 of 18. If the transfer train continues to go off the tracks for Richlands, i dont expect their streak to go much longer against either team.
I know little about Tazewell and Richland's and Graham's rivalry history.
What I do know is....
A. Tazewell hasn't been consistently good in about 30 years. That's 3/10ths of a century. I do know Tazewell was one of the better double A programs in Virginia for a good 30 years prior to that. Don't know if they were "AAA" prior to 1970. They may have been.
B. As long as Richland's has Coach Mance, Tazewell ain't beating Richland's regulariy. Maybe a "onezy or twozy" over a fifteen year period, but that's it.
C. Tazewell has supposedly ON THIS BOARD been either "young," or "going to be better next year," or "plays hard" and is "no pushover" seemingly every year on this board. I've read this for years on here. I'm also NOT saying that this is another time it will be proven false, because I don't know and don't claim to. Tazewell may win the state title in 2019 or 2020 for all I know, but ........I ain't believing they are a formidable power or beat Richlands or Graham until I read about the score. I will believe it when I see it.
D. Richlands was good BEFORE the transfers came in. I can assure you of that. Why? Coach Mance. If he stays there, they will continue to be good regardless of transfers. Great programs are usually great BECAUSE of a great coach first, and they win, and because they win, the transfers come and they win more. When the transfers stop or slow down, people assume the program goes way down and they forget about the reason the program won in the first place. It's usually attributable to coaching at the High School Level. With that written, if Richlands coach leaves, moves to another school or state or retires (don't know his age) then that is different The program could very well change.
What I do know is....
A. Tazewell hasn't been consistently good in about 30 years. That's 3/10ths of a century. I do know Tazewell was one of the better double A programs in Virginia for a good 30 years prior to that. Don't know if they were "AAA" prior to 1970. They may have been.
B. As long as Richland's has Coach Mance, Tazewell ain't beating Richland's regulariy. Maybe a "onezy or twozy" over a fifteen year period, but that's it.
C. Tazewell has supposedly ON THIS BOARD been either "young," or "going to be better next year," or "plays hard" and is "no pushover" seemingly every year on this board. I've read this for years on here. I'm also NOT saying that this is another time it will be proven false, because I don't know and don't claim to. Tazewell may win the state title in 2019 or 2020 for all I know, but ........I ain't believing they are a formidable power or beat Richlands or Graham until I read about the score. I will believe it when I see it.
D. Richlands was good BEFORE the transfers came in. I can assure you of that. Why? Coach Mance. If he stays there, they will continue to be good regardless of transfers. Great programs are usually great BECAUSE of a great coach first, and they win, and because they win, the transfers come and they win more. When the transfers stop or slow down, people assume the program goes way down and they forget about the reason the program won in the first place. It's usually attributable to coaching at the High School Level. With that written, if Richlands coach leaves, moves to another school or state or retires (don't know his age) then that is different The program could very well change.
They will be good if the transfer train dries up, due to good coaching, if Mance stays. If he moves on, then they have lost 2 very good coaches in a short time. Dennis Palmer deserves a lot of credit for Richlands success. I think his contribution to that team has been overlooked somewhat. Which brings me to another point. From what I hear, Graham is not letting D. Palmer be their D-Coordinator which, if true, is a huge mistake. At least let him be a co-coordinator if you are afraid of somebodys feelings getting hurt.
But Richlands rarely produces enough local talent to make a deep run. The tranfers have played huge roles. Rumor is that this is Mances last year. Maybe, maybe not.
But Richlands rarely produces enough local talent to make a deep run. The tranfers have played huge roles. Rumor is that this is Mances last year. Maybe, maybe not.
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Have to agree about Palmer's contribution being overlooked and about transfers. I dare say a lot of field house tours have been given over the years. Richlands is a strong program and has been for years. As far as Palmer , he was doing defense for Richlands before Mance took over as head coach. It's the defense that's always been the strength for Richlands even back in 90s. If people were truly honest, Palmer helped make Mance look better. I'm not slighting Mance, he's obviously made his mark as a coach in SWVA. I just think it was a two man show not necessarily a one man performance.
I don't know how the Richlands & Graham game will shake out. If Graham can get some things ironed out and channel that emotion in a positive more disciplined way, it could be an interesting game to say the least. Graham got over that hurdle of beating Richlands last year. I have no doubt Palmer knows Mance's plans better than Mance does. You don't coach that many years with someone and not know the way they think. Once again, just my humble opinion, someone else's may differ.
As far as Tazewell and Richlands, I say their chances are better next year to win but it might be closer than people expect this year.
Final note, I'll be interested to see how the addition of two players impacts Graham's overall performance this week.
I don't know how the Richlands & Graham game will shake out. If Graham can get some things ironed out and channel that emotion in a positive more disciplined way, it could be an interesting game to say the least. Graham got over that hurdle of beating Richlands last year. I have no doubt Palmer knows Mance's plans better than Mance does. You don't coach that many years with someone and not know the way they think. Once again, just my humble opinion, someone else's may differ.
As far as Tazewell and Richlands, I say their chances are better next year to win but it might be closer than people expect this year.
Final note, I'll be interested to see how the addition of two players impacts Graham's overall performance this week.
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Ryan4VT
VaPreps Varsity
The four years I was in high school 04-08 (football seasons 04-07) my class went 50-6. That includes the 2006 state title as well as going to the state final in 05 and 07. And a state semifinal in 04.
Not a single transfer on any of those 4 teams.
I don't doubt D. Palmer's contributions to Richlands and I really think he needs to be more involved at Graham. But we can't ignore Rex Bradshaw's contributions to our defense either. First off if it wasn't for him you probably wouldn't see some of those kids out there. He is very much liked and respected. Graham's defense prior to Rex was pathetic to say the least. Does it still need work? Absolutely. So does the offense. IMHO until they can get their heads screwed on straight from a discipline perspective it's not going to matter what scheme or plays are ran.
Nothing but respect for Rex too; he along with Tony have brought Graham into contention every year where before it wasn't even fun to watch more like embarrassing. Discipline is definitely the main key for this year's team I agree. Having fun and being well liked are pluses but sometimes players need a little hard nosed discipline and accountability. It's a fine line for sure.
Been reading this thread and others about Graham for a while. I watched them against Glenvar in a scrimmage last year and online against Bluefield, WV, the last two years. On this board, many fans from Graham and western Virginia have commented about Graham's discipline issues for about 3 years. Now, there's concerns about why a defensive guroo who performed at an unparalleled level for decades is not the defensive coordinator at Graham, yet he's on staff.
With the above written and read on this board, what do you think that says or looks like from the Eastern part of the state or anywhere else in Virginia regarding your Head Coach? I mean, at some point, does that not beg the question or at least offer a "what's up or what's the deal" regarding decision making? If you've been undisciplined for 3 years, it starts a trend and it's part of Who You Are, and it's not a one year scenario of just some bad luck. It begs the question of the guy in charge.
With the above written and read on this board, what do you think that says or looks like from the Eastern part of the state or anywhere else in Virginia regarding your Head Coach? I mean, at some point, does that not beg the question or at least offer a "what's up or what's the deal" regarding decision making? If you've been undisciplined for 3 years, it starts a trend and it's part of Who You Are, and it's not a one year scenario of just some bad luck. It begs the question of the guy in charge.
Your posting on a state wide board, not a western Va board, and whether you care or don't care about what someone thinks outside of southwestern Va is your call and choice. But, I stand by the statement. Head Coaches are ultimately responsible or at least, they are the one person most reaponsible for the good and the bad for their football teams. That applies to all schools statewide.
I agree to an extent, but it's extremely hard to win consistently and win Region and State titles without talent and an excellent feeder program set up. If a head coach can get the peanut or middle school teams to run the same system as the high school, stock the middle school and JV teams with quality coaches, he can be successful.
A coaching change can absolutely spark a program and a good HC can get the absolute most out of their kids, but without talent, you will always hit a ceiling.
I made it a point to watch Edwards (WV transfer) and Raley in Graham's game tonight. They both looked impressive. Edwards is very agressive and a load at linebacker. He goes about 6'0 215 - 220 lbs and has great form with his tackling and really has a nose for the ball. Raley was getting a good push on the D-Line. Raley looks deceptively small out there, he probably goes about 5'9" but he is a very strong kid to be undersized out there and was getting a good push on that line and pushing his man into the backfield on several occasions. I'm still very concerned about the play of Graham's Defensive Ends. The Freshman, Meadows is looking good on the O-line. That kid knows how to play, he has been coached up very well by somebody, he is an excellent run and pass blocker.
Jazaire Reed was injured and didn't play, maybe when he is back, they can shift another body or 2 around on defense, but defense is starting to play smarter and dare I say it: more disciplined. There was a stupid unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and an off-setting personal foul when a Graham kid got into a shoving match with a Lebanon kid. I think Lebanon may have gotten one or two first downs before the subs went in in the 2nd quarter (it was 50-0 early in the 2nd quarter). It was Lebanon after all, but I did like what I saw from Raley and Edwards. With schools this size, a couple of quality players can make a big impact on a teams defense.
Jazaire Reed was injured and didn't play, maybe when he is back, they can shift another body or 2 around on defense, but defense is starting to play smarter and dare I say it: more disciplined. There was a stupid unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and an off-setting personal foul when a Graham kid got into a shoving match with a Lebanon kid. I think Lebanon may have gotten one or two first downs before the subs went in in the 2nd quarter (it was 50-0 early in the 2nd quarter). It was Lebanon after all, but I did like what I saw from Raley and Edwards. With schools this size, a couple of quality players can make a big impact on a teams defense.
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All star team really? Richlands hasnt had a transfer in 2 years. Seems like graham and bluefield are getting them all. Thats the all star teams now. Just the way it works. U start winning big and kids will come. Did i not just read somewhere Graham got 2 from Princeton and one out of state kid?
Where did you read that? Because, it's wrong. They got one out of State kid, from Princeton. Richlands had a LB from Hurley last year and the big lineman from Honaker, another one from Elizabethton, TN and the kid from Graham who came back to Graham this year and that's just off of the top of my head.
The Two kids I was talking about for Graham is ONE transfer from Princeton, WV and another Graham kid who came back from a prolonged injury.
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Name one transfer that Bluefield has gotten in the last 20 years other than 3 or 4 Graham kids and the one kid from Richlands a couple of years back. Heck the state line runs right between the two towns. Not uncommon for a kid to move across town.
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Didnt Cooper play for Graham last year or before last? U mean they dont have one transfer?
other than 3 or 4 Graham kids and the one kid from Richlands a couple of years back
Cooper played for Graham, then Allegheny (after football season, played basketball there one season), then moved back to Bluefield, WV. He is an awesome kid, wish Graham still had him.
Not trying to be smart or anything, just saying that Bluefield doesn't get a lot of transfers, I can only think of a handful in the past 20 years. Graham has benefited much more over the years from Bluefield kids coming to Graham, then Graham kids going to Bluefield.
Yes they got the Hurley kid that didnt end up playing 1 regular season game. I could be wrong but i was thinking the Honaker and Elizabethton kids were 3 years ago.
I believe u on that matter. I dont hear much about Bluefield transfers. They have talent galore but just about everyone gets transfers. I was just responding to the all star comment. Richlands has benefitted big with transfers in the past. But theyve been far from an all star team the past couple years.
I agree, but what they do have is an all star coach that will get the most out of the talent they have and they do still have plenty of talent.
Yeh Booker going back to Graham hurt us a little. I heard tonight Rayquan Jones was back playing football for Richlands. He played a couple years ago and got injured pretty badly, maybe a broken bone cant remember. But if thats true he looked really promising running the ball before he got hurt. Didnt really look like him so im not sure. Richlands Vs Graham should be a great game if Richlands can contain Allen. Graham and Virginia High are the only teams standing in the way of going 7-3. Assuming they play good ball. Had three turnovers tonight in opponent territory.
Richlands will come in better prepared for Graham than Graham will for Richlands. I would put money on it. Graham has more athletes and play makers for sure, but Im not sure they can beat Richlands this year. They will need Allen and Lester to make some big plays. I think Lester is the best all around player on the team. Allen gets all of the attention. Booker, Reed, Chinault, Justice, etc... can all make big plays, but you can have all the talent in the world and lose to a well-coached disciplined team. Im afraid that may happen. Grahams coach Carlock was able to win with minimal talent because his teams were well coached and disciplined. Mance is a great coach who finds a way to win.
Also, having seen V High in person. I dont think they pose a threat to either team.
Also, having seen V High in person. I dont think they pose a threat to either team.
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