History

[lucustookis]

This goes back a long ways, but off the top of my head - when Lee Staunton was moved into the Western District back in 1970, I seem to remember there being 14 teams total:

Division A:
Franklin County
Cave Spring
William Fleming
Patrick Henry
Northside
Lee
Andrew Lewis
Jefferson

Division B:
GW - Danville
Halifax
EC Glass
Martinsvile
Amherst
Liberty

I always thought it was an odd placement - considering Lee was the only non-Roanoke area team in the district.

But sure does bring back a lot of good memories.

Andrew Lewis being...,..Salem. A powerhouse back then as well.

 

[Gunz41]

I see a few small areas here and there, mainly just where a game was played (home or away), but that is a minuscule thing when you realize the information on there. Truly amazing

 

[pizzzzza]

Andrew Lewis being...,..Salem. A powerhouse back then as well.

And I seem to remember a certain quarterback named Eddie Joyce Jr.

 

[LHS Rams]

Other Late 80s Districts
Hogoheegee- Rural Retreat, Northwood, Holston, Patrick Henry (Glade Spring), Chilhowie, Castlewood
Mountain Empire- Auburn, Floyd, Fort Chiswell, Galax, Grayson County, Narrows, Shawsville
Pioneer District- Bath County, Covington, Craig County, Glenvar, James River, Perry McCluer, Lexington, Natural Bridge, Rockbridge

One final note-Lafayette used to be part of the Peninsula District until approximately the mid 90's when they dropped in classification. That's the old Triple A district (todays equivalent of primarily Class 5A and 6A schools with the exception of Phoebus, which use to be 5A. The Peninsula is of course, one of the more historical and famous districts known throughout the state and home of the Hampton Crabbers. I think Phoebus is now Class 3A. They've dropped two classifications in the last 10 years, and Phoebus has had 2 nationally ranked (USA Today) top 10 finishes in the last 18 years. That's huge drop in size and status from going from that, to a current class 3A school. I think Phoebus is Class 3A still, they may have moved back up to 4A, I don't know.

Yes, when Jamestown opened in '97, they dropped down to Double A and became part of the Bay Rivers District.

Also, Phoebus is still in 3A...read where they signed waivers to play in 5A even when their enrollment had declined enough to drop a class...that was in the Bill Dee era, who put 'em on the map.

 

[lucustookis]

LHS Rams. You mentioned Bill Dee. I knew him well and he left this world to soon. I played golf with him, Curt Newsome, and Mike Smith many times. Bill was also one heck of a racquetball player. Contrary to popular belief in the Tidewater, Bill Dee (Phoebus) and Mike Smith (Hampton) were not bitter enemies off of the field. They were friends, as well as Curt when he was at Kechoughtan. Curt had some monster teams at Kechoughtan as well. As for Bill, he only lost 9 total games in his last 8 years for the Phantoms and that included 4 state titles, 2 top 10 USA Today final rankings and 1 of those being a top 5 ranking. That is one heck of a run considering it was done in the Peninsula District against those powerhouse schools like Hampton. Bill was a huge part in ODU's program and of course, he had an Oscar Smith team that won a state title and a top 10 USA finish nationally. Bill was a solid guy and got the best out of his players. In 1996ish, maybe 1997ish, Hampton and Kechoughtan both played for the state title. Kechoughtan lost the Div 6 title to Robinson in game one. Hampton obliterated a Lee Suggs led William Fleming in the Div 5 title. Standing on the sidelines with Mike Smith for the Hampton game just after his team had lost was Curt Newsome and Bill Dee was also there. These 3 guys are legendary in the Tidewater circle of High School Coaches and they were friend. One left this world to soon.

 

[LHS Rams]

LHS Rams. You mentioned Bill Dee. I knew him well and he left this world to soon. I played golf with him, Curt Newsome, and Mike Smith many times. Bill was also one heck of a racquetball player. Contrary to popular belief in the Tidewater, Bill Dee (Phoebus) and Mike Smith (Hampton) were not bitter enemies off of the field. They were friends, as well as Curt when he was at Kechoughtan. Curt had some monster teams at Kechoughtan as well. As for Bill, he only lost 9 total games in his last 8 years for the Phantoms and that included 4 state titles, 2 top 10 USA Today final rankings and 1 of those being a top 5 ranking. That is one heck of a run considering it was done in the Peninsula District against those powerhouse schools like Hampton. Bill was a huge part in ODU's program and of course, he had an Oscar Smith team that won a state title and a top 10 USA finish nationally. Bill was a solid guy and got the best out of his players. In 1996ish, maybe 1997ish, Hampton and Kechoughtan both played for the state title. Kechoughtan lost the Div 6 title to Robinson in game one. Hampton obliterated a Lee Suggs led William Fleming in the Div 5 title. Standing on the sidelines with Mike Smith for the Hampton game just after his team had lost was Curt Newsome and Bill Dee was also there. These 3 guys are legendary in the Tidewater circle of High School Coaches and they were friend. One left this world to soon.

Good stuff, lucus...totally agree!

 

[VHSL-helper]

At one point in time, the Southwest district had 10 teams, so you played your entire district and one OoD game. Now those teams have mostly split ways. The SWD is now a 6 team district.

SWD was 10 for a while, then went to 11 when Lebanon moved in. Stayed that way for a while, which is why the Highlands Dist. was formed. Still played 9 District games, because some schools didn't want to lost their huge non-D gate... V-T, Beaver-Graham.

 

[17Bluebird]

This is my best guess for 1981

COMMONWEALTH
Potomac
Gar-Field
Woodbridge
Stonewall Jackson
Fauquier
James Wood
Stafford
North Stafford

NORTHWEST
Broad Run
Park View
Loudoun County
Loudoun Valley
Osbourn
Osbourn Park
Warren County
Clarke County
Handley

BULL RUN
George Mason
Brentsville
Mannassas Park

If you look at these districts today it would be totally different.

 

[SWDRules]

In 1980 when Lebanon joined the SWD until 1986, the Southwest district had 11 teams. Graham,Tazewell, Richlands, Grundy, Lebanon, Marion,Patrick Henry,Abingdon, John Battle,Virginia high, and Gate City.

 

[17Bluebird]

Just curious what did the Tidewater and Richmond districts look like way back when?

 

[pizzzzza]

I just popped in and saw this 4 year old thread has been resurrected - but it’s an oldie but goodie for us “old folks” on here.

 

[hawknation92]

I believe the mid 80s version of the AAA Western District was:

Albemarle
Charlottesville
Amherst
Glass
Heritage
Halifax
GW Danville

The AA Seminole of that era looked a lot different too - I’m thinking 10 schools?

Brookville
Altavista
Rustburg
William Campbell
JF
Liberty-Bedford
Staunton River
Nelson County
Buckingham
Appomattox

Gretna played in the Seminole the entire 80's moving to the Piedmont in 1990 my junior year. Buckingham may have played in it some but don't remember playing them in district by late 80's as Gretna would have been the tenth team. Then the Piedmont had Fieldale and Laural Park which are no longer open and combined with Magna Vista and Bassett. Martinsville, Tunstall, Dan River and Chatham making nine teams in that district. The dogwood was formed in mid 90's to get the smaller schools out of Seminole and Piedmont. Prince Edward was also a part of the original Dogwood along with Buckingham I believe.

 

[catchtds]

The Seminole use to be 11 teams:
Altavista
William Campbell
Brookville
Rustburg
Nelson
Buckingham
Amherst
Jefferson Forest
Liberty Bedford
Appomattox
Staunton River

 

[NND Sports Fan]

As for the Richmond area I can only tell you this: Varina was once a member of the Group AA Battlefield District; Clover Hill was originally Group A and member of the James River District, advanced to Group AA and was a member of the Southside District before eventually earning Group AAA status. I'm pretty certain I have this correct.