Who is your team's biggest rival?

[VolNation85]

With the Glass (Class 4)-Heritage-Lynchburg (Class 3) game coming up this Friday it makes me wonder about other rivalries around the state. The Glass-Heritage rivalry is definitely the best in Central Va., maybe in the entire state. I put it up there with Phoebus-Hampton in the Tidewater area or Varina-Highland Springs in Richmond.
The rivalry between them is always intense, hard hitting, and very entertaining. The two schools are separated by less than 4 miles. Most of the players have known each other since little league in fact, most of them were teammates at some point in either little league or middle school. There are 3 feeder programs for the two high schools, Sandusky Middle feeds to Heritage, Linkhorne Middle feeds to Glass, and Dunbar Middle is split between both Heritage and Glass. These factors definitely make for a very interesting dynamic.

With that being said, who is your team's biggest rival and why?

 

[Intrinsicrewards]

Salem/Pulaski was a great rivalry for over a decade when White and Hicks coached. Salem Stadium and Pulaski Stadium was packed (10,000 plus) and all the games lived up to the hype. Haven't seen anything around here to compare to sinc.

Giles fans told me three years ago they didn't consider Glenvar a rivalry game because Glenvar hadn't ever beat them. Now that Glenvar has won four straight, this years game in November should be packed again @ Glenvar, with plenty of noise, and a lot on the line just like every year over the past decade. Glenvar's D against Giles single wing. Sounds like the definition of a rivalry game.

 

[Kimosabe5]

Appomattox/Rustburg was a huge rivalry in the 70s and 80s. Since Appomattox left the Seminole the two only occasionally play and the rivalry has simmered some. Not sure if either team has picked up a bigger rival since. I know at one time Gretna and Altavista were pretty heated rivals in the Dogwood. Would like to hear from those folk to see if that's still the case.

 

[AdvocateOfMany434]

Appomattox/Rustburg was a huge rivalry in the 70s and 80s. Since Appomattox left the Seminole the two only occasionally play and the rivalry has simmered some. Not sure if either team has picked up a bigger rival since. I know at one time Gretna and Altavista were pretty heated rivals in the Dogwood. Would like to hear from those folk to see if that's still the case.

I think Appo and Rustburg is here to stay. Principal told me himself that he is going to try to keep that old rivaly going. We have played them three years straight and secured the "Lantern" for 3 years.

I like the Buckingham/ Appo as well. Battle of the Ax!!!!! These games were always going down to the wire for the most part when Gill was alive. I had the AD tell me that the Battle of the Ax game is the only game their fanbase is huge. I remember going to a playoff game 2 years ago, Mville and Bucktown AT BUCKINGHAM and no fans were there to support. That same year the stands were packed for Battle of the Ax (1st game of the season).

 

[DemRaiders]

The battle for the axe is big , but I prefer the lantern. The return of the game with Rustburg was fantastic and has been a great game every season. Appomattox vs Rustburg is my choice

 

[AdvocateOfMany434]

With the Glass (Class 4)-Heritage-Lynchburg (Class 3) game coming up this Friday it makes me wonder about other rivalries around the state. The Glass-Heritage rivalry is definitely the best in Central Va., maybe in the entire state. I put it up there with Phoebus-Hampton in the Tidewater area or Varina-Highland Springs in Richmond.
The rivalry between them is always intense, hard hitting, and very entertaining. The two schools are separated by less than 4 miles. Most of the players have known each other since little league in fact, most of them were teammates at some point in either little league or middle school. There are 3 feeder programs for the two high schools, Sandusky Middle feeds to Heritage, Linkhorne Middle feeds to Glass, and Dunbar Middle is split between both Heritage and Glass. These factors definitely make for a very interesting dynamic.

With that being said, who is your team's biggest rival and why?

NO WAY that rivalry is best in the state. Brookville/Jefferson Forrest is a better rivalry in Lynchburg area. Fans are always fighting out in parking lot and twitter is on fire when them two play. That game is PACKED!!! Glass and Heritage fan base lacks for it to have that rivalry feel. Its actually sad to see them two schools have such a lack of support. I havent been to a game this year because Im not in area no more but im assuming Heritage has fans this year due to the bandwagon folk and people that want to see what the hype is about. Shoot....Brookville/ Rustburg is a great rivalry I will put up there against Glass/Heritage at this present day. Now the dynamic of LCA in Seminole......They are everyone's rival. ROFL, LOL!!!!!

 

[obguthr]

I'm going through some historical numbers and on paper, Richlands-Graham is pretty huge. They have played 92 times and the wins are not that far apart. Both have won state championships.

I'm still going through records, but one that surprises me is Narrows-Galax. The Green Wave and Maroon Tide have played 79 times since 1935 They have played each other more times than they have played any other team. Narrows won 40, Galax 35. They tied 4 times. I don't think it is a heated rivalry as each team has peaked at different times. On paper, there is some history, though .

 

[BCKnights]

"Battle of the Axe" for the fact that when both teams left the Seminole District we were the only two that continued playing each other every year since. 1st game of the year so it's both teams measuring stick and it was always a classic game. Wish we still played youth league. We don't like Appomattox but we respect them. I will say we wanted Clarke and Richlands to win the Championship the last 2 years lol! On the other hand Goochland makes my blood boil lol! Don't care 2 cents for nobody in the James River District honestly and I bet the feeling is mutual.

 

[eh31]

I live in the Bluefield area now so I think it's worth mentioning the Graham - Bluefield rivalry. It goes back to 1911 with Bluefield holding the edge in wins. Below is an exerpt of an article about the game.

"Each year over 10,000 fans watch the Graham G-Men take on the Bluefield Beavers in one of the country's top rivalries. Rated in the top 10 rivalries on numerous occasions. This game is featured by the Great American Rivalry Series and on ESPN's " Scholastic Sports America." Bluefield High School is located in Bluefield, West Virginia and Graham High School is located in Bluefield, Virginia. The state line separates the 2 towns and the state line goes right through the parking lot of Mitchell Stadium, where both teams play their home games. Folks from all over make a special trip to come to this game. It is like a college atmosphere in the parking lot for hours prior to kickoff with tailgating, reunions, and gatherings leading up to kickoff. It's something that you would have to see to believe."

 

[CallMeCoach19]

That's what I was thinking. I enjoy some local rivalry games, but as far as SWVA it is Beaver/Graham all the way. When you can see the tailgaters lining up while the kids are still getting to school, you know it will be a big to-do. I think if you asked GW-Wytheville fans they would say Radford. I know they hate to play them in playoffs in any sport. But FC is probably the bigger game for them.

 

[obguthr]

That's what I was thinking. I enjoy some local rivalry games, but as far as SWVA it is Beaver/Graham all the way. When you can see the tailgaters lining up while the kids are still getting to school, you know it will be a big to-do. I think if you asked GW-Wytheville fans they would say Radford. I know they hate to play them in playoffs in any sport. But FC is probably the bigger game for them.

Giles is like GW. From a competition standpoint, Radford is the tougher rivalry for us. Our annual game with Narz means more though.

 

[POUCHKICK]

NO WAY that rivalry is best in the state. Brookville/Jefferson Forrest is a better rivalry in Lynchburg area. Fans are always fighting out in parking lot and twitter is on fire when them two play. That game is PACKED!!! Glass and Heritage fan base lacks for it to have that rivalry feel. Its actually sad to see them two schools have such a lack of support. I havent been to a game this year because Im not in area no more but im assuming Heritage has fans this year due to the bandwagon folk and people that want to see what the hype is about. Shoot....Brookville/ Rustburg is a great rivalry I will put up there against Glass/Heritage at this present day. Now the dynamic of LCA in Seminole......They are everyone's rival. ROFL, LOL!!!!!

I can say that appomattox has big crowds due to all the teams they play their fans come or has came to the games just to see the PO1 team with their own sees

 

[POUCHKICK]

Eyes my bad

 

[AdvocateOfMany434]

I can say that appomattox has big crowds due to all the teams they play their fans come or has came to the games just to see the PO1 team with their own sees

I would put Appomattox crowd up to Heritage crowd before the PO1 started.

 

[POUCHKICK]

I don't know if you could do that cause back when Lee beat yall in the first round yall maybe had 100 people in stands Lee out did ya'll bad and that was the first round should have packed it.

 

[piz hokies]

When I was growing up the end of the season rivalry game for my school was Goochland vs Powhatan. They have not played each other in a regular season game in a long time. But when I was growing up in the 80's and 90's, it was always a great game. Just the James River dividing the two counties. Many years it was cousin vs cousin, and even step/half brother vs step/half brother. Long before social media lots of phone calls and weekend conversations with the foe across the river made for a fun week of practice leading up to the game. I recall the game of 1994 where both teams were 9-0 and the JRD title on the line since both teams had clinched a playoff berth, fans were still in line buying tickets to get into the game after halftime. Another fun game was in 1990 when both teams each had 2 talented RB's. During the game, a random snow storm hit and it was snowing so hard, not sticking, but it was a slug fest with long rung after long run for TD's by both teams. That was by far a fun night watching a high school game as a kid in middle school.

I am sure there are much better rivalries in the state that I would like to go and experience, but as a kid all we knew was we hated the other team from the other side of the river. Due to that rivalry and playing against each other in every sport since youth leagues, many of the guys from both sides of the river have become long time friends to this day. We can all still talk smack about our days playing ball against each other... and most of those conversations the Powhatan guys have the upper hand.

 

[Bo Bob]

I don't know if you could do that cause back when Lee beat yall in the first round yall maybe had 100 people in stands Lee out did ya'll bad and that was the first round should have packed it.

If I remember correctly that was on the first day of deer season. Lots folks were hunting rather than at the field in the afternoon.
Now since my boys are on the team I'll miss that day of hunting for them and then team but back then hunting took priority for me and lots of others in the county.

 

[AdvocateOfMany434]

I don't know if you could do that cause back when Lee beat yall in the first round yall maybe had 100 people in stands Lee out did ya'll bad and that was the first round should have packed it.

Kicked me low on that one.....good one! Im talking on Friday nights, we always have a big turn out. Of course, not like now and the PO1 Crew fan base. There are a number of reasons for that happening. It was first day of hunting season, it was cold that day and we played on a Saturday during day time. At that time...that was NEW to Appomattox due to every time we made playoffs, it was on Friday night. It was not advertised in the school or out in the community that week. That game was a blessing in disguise because the community felt sorry they did not turn out for that game (they didnt know) and game one of 2015....Stands were packed and continued to grow afterwards during the course of that season. That being said. I will put our Friday night crowd up to heritage's anyday. 2015 when we played yall in Appomattox. I bet there wasnt 75 people in visiting stands.

 

[AdvocateOfMany434]

If I remember correctly that was on the first day of deer season. Lots folks were hunting rather than at the field in the afternoon.
Now since my boys are on the team I'll miss that day of hunting for them and then team but back then hunting took priority for me and lots of others in the county.

NO EXCUSE!!!! As a football fan and someone that is 'close' to the school. You shouldve been there to support team. How many times have Appomattox made playoffs? Well....No deer would have prevented me from supporting that football team that day and be SHOWED UP by Lee! Well administration at the time had a lot to do with up getting showed up as well. LOL.....What a joke....I still cant believe we let them do that! IN OUR STADIUM?! Thankfully the NEW Principal in 2015 and he dont put up with that crap! Central VA football hospitality when you come up this way, this not SWVA. NO Shenanigans, gimmicks, props....but you can bring ya band. I agree with that. Anytime a kid works that hard all year to play an instrument. He should be able to get opportunity to show his talents at other places.

 

[Gunz41]

NO EXCUSE!!!! As a football fan and someone that is 'close' to the school. You shouldve been there to support team. How many times have Appomattox made playoffs? Well....No deer would have prevented me from supporting that football team that day and be SHOWED UP by Lee! Well administration at the time had a lot to do with up getting showed up as well. LOL.....What a joke....I still cant believe we let them do that! IN OUR STADIUM?! Thankfully the NEW Principal in 2015 and he dont put up with that crap! Central VA football hospitality when you come up this way, this not SWVA. NO Shenanigans, gimmicks, props....but you can bring ya band. I agree with that. Anytime a kid works that hard all year to play an instrument. He should be able to get opportunity to show his talents at other places.

Seems pretty harsh there @AdvocateOfMany434. Unless of course this is a good friend of yours and it's a type of inside joke. It sounded like to me that his kids weren't on team then, so he wasn't "close" then. And there are certainly excuses for missing a football game, even if I haven't missed but 1 or 2 and not a big game. But you are the one who has been the biggest poster/supporter on here for Appomattox for a few years and talk about being close to program, players, and administrators, now you aren't going to the games. Yes i know you moved, and that of course gives you a reason, but that is entirely the point, there are all kinds of reasons

 

[Gunz41]

Giles is like GW. From a competition standpoint, Radford is the tougher rivalry for us. Our annual game with Narz means more though.

This brings up a GREAT question that I have wondered for years. You have picture of 5 helmets, talk about games from this area (Shenandoah and Valley district), and most people know which team most posters come from/follow, and now you just said us about Giles, so exactly who is "Your team"

 

[eh31]

NO EXCUSE!!!! As a football fan and someone that is 'close' to the school. You shouldve been there to support team. How many times have Appomattox made playoffs? Well....No deer would have prevented me from supporting that football team that day and be SHOWED UP by Lee! Well administration at the time had a lot to do with up getting showed up as well. LOL.....What a joke....I still cant believe we let them do that! IN OUR STADIUM?! Thankfully the NEW Principal in 2015 and he dont put up with that crap! Central VA football hospitality when you come up this way, this not SWVA. NO Shenanigans, gimmicks, props....but you can bring ya band. I agree with that. Anytime a kid works that hard all year to play an instrument. He should be able to get opportunity to show his talents at other places.

Choo Choo

 

[Bo Bob]

NO EXCUSE!!!! As a football fan and someone that is 'close' to the school. You shouldve been there to support team. How many times have Appomattox made playoffs? Well....No deer would have prevented me from supporting that football team that day and be SHOWED UP by Lee! Well administration at the time had a lot to do with up getting showed up as well. LOL.....What a joke....I still cant believe we let them do that! IN OUR STADIUM?! Thankfully the NEW Principal in 2015 and he dont put up with that crap! Central VA football hospitality when you come up this way, this not SWVA. NO Shenanigans, gimmicks, props....but you can bring ya band. I agree with that. Anytime a kid works that hard all year to play an instrument. He should be able to get opportunity to show his talents at other places.

Depends on what kinda hunter you are.
There are guys who hunt, and...there are HUNTERS.
Hunting isnt just a hobby to me.

 

[Gunz41]

Depends on what kinda hunter you are.
There are guys who hunt, and...there are HUNTERS.
Hunting isnt just a hobby to me.

So it's your job?

 

[obguthr]

This brings up a GREAT question that I have wondered for years. You have picture of 5 helmets, talk about games from this area (Shenandoah and Valley district), and most people know which team most posters come from/follow, and now you just said us about Giles, so exactly who is "Your team"

I grew up in Madison. I attended junior high in Bland. I graduated from Giles. My son played for Poquoson and I helped the coaches in their little league system. I now live in Staunton (thus Riverheads). I try to make it to at least one Madison game every year. I usually go to whichever Shenandoah district game is the most competitive during the regular season, but I watch Riverheads a lot. Come playoffs, I'll travel cross state to see any of my "Fab 5". I guess if I had to pick a favorite, it's Giles.

 

[VolNation85]

NO WAY that rivalry is best in the state. Brookville/Jefferson Forrest is a better rivalry in Lynchburg area. Fans are always fighting out in parking lot and twitter is on fire when them two play. That game is PACKED!!! Glass and Heritage fan base lacks for it to have that rivalry feel. Its actually sad to see them two schools have such a lack of support. I havent been to a game this year because Im not in area no more but im assuming Heritage has fans this year due to the bandwagon folk and people that want to see what the hype is about. Shoot....Brookville/ Rustburg is a great rivalry I will put up there against Glass/Heritage at this present day. Now the dynamic of LCA in Seminole......They are everyone's rival. ROFL, LOL!!!!!

NO WAY bruh... you know I love you but I can't agree with you on this one. I agree that Brookville-JF is a big rivalry but you wouldn't know it...you're the only one to mention it anywhere on this site and you're not a fan of either team. Where are their fans on here? I know that's not the end all, be all but, it does say something.

As far as fan support for Glass-Heritage, neither team has the support on a regular basis but, when they play each other, it's second to none!

 

[eh31]

How big is appomatox's stadium? I've read a lot on here about how their fans pack the stands but just curious how many fans that ends up being?
Who's their biggest rivalry game? & what's the average attendance of that game?

 

[POUCHKICK]

Well I can say that there was about 4000 people at the appo,heritage game two weeks ago that's what the principal told me I would say that there is about 2500 to 2800 on average at appo game maybe a little more

 

[Bo Bob]

So it's your job?

Yep!!

I keep trying to tell my wife that anyway.

Not quite my job but I wouldn't just consider myself a "guy who hunts". Outside of family or church I generally don't put hunting on the back burner.

 

[G-DOG2]

"Battle of the Axe" for the fact that when both teams left the Seminole District we were the only two that continued playing each other every year since. 1st game of the year so it's both teams measuring stick and it was always a classic game. Wish we still played youth league. We don't like Appomattox but we respect them. I will say we wanted Clarke and Richlands to win the Championship the last 2 years lol! On the other hand Goochland makes my blood boil lol! Don't care 2 cents for nobody in the James River District honestly and I bet the feeling is mutual.

As a Goochlander, I would have to say that Buckingham is a big game. I wouldn't say that Buckingham makes my blood boil though. LOL. I have much respect for Bucktown and what has been some very tough games between Goochland and Buckingham. Loved Coach Gill and respected the man very much. He was what Coach Fowler is to Goochland. A great coach, role model and a hell of a leader. Sets the tone of the team! Coaches make a huge difference and the schools that are perennial winners normally have very good coaches that have been with the team for some time. Almost time to make that visit to Buckingham!!!.....

 

[AdvocateOfMany434]

Seems pretty harsh there @AdvocateOfMany434. Unless of course this is a good friend of yours and it's a type of inside joke. It sounded like to me that his kids weren't on team then, so he wasn't "close" then. And there are certainly excuses for missing a football game, even if I haven't missed but 1 or 2 and not a big game. But you are the one who has been the biggest poster/supporter on here for Appomattox for a few years and talk about being close to program, players, and administrators, now you aren't going to the games. Yes i know you moved, and that of course gives you a reason, but that is entirely the point, there are all kinds of reasons

Bob is a good dude, I was just pulling his chain with a lil seriousness to it. LOL, his son's will be talked about in the next two years. They are that good.

 

[AdvocateOfMany434]

How big is appomatox's stadium? I've read a lot on here about how their fans pack the stands but just curious how many fans that ends up being?
Who's their biggest rivalry game? & what's the average attendance of that game?

I covered that in a post above, look at my post. We have a solid Home side, but many love to just pack the fence as well. Now im not saying much about the visitor side, it needs a little renovations.

 

[AdvocateOfMany434]

Seems pretty harsh there @AdvocateOfMany434. Unless of course this is a good friend of yours and it's a type of inside joke. It sounded like to me that his kids weren't on team then, so he wasn't "close" then. And there are certainly excuses for missing a football game, even if I haven't missed but 1 or 2 and not a big game. But you are the one who has been the biggest poster/supporter on here for Appomattox for a few years and talk about being close to program, players, and administrators, now you aren't going to the games. Yes i know you moved, and that of course gives you a reason, but that is entirely the point, there are all kinds of reasons

I am a huge fan of Appomattox mainly because I was raised up here and graduated from there (other than a few years at Nottaway, and living in Oklahoma in my early years). I moved away for 10 years due to military and contracting job. I wanted to raise my son in Appomattox to know his grandparents. He played on the 2015 state championship team for coach smith, my son was the QB and set the school passing record. Now that he has graduated, I dont care who knows me on here. Only a few knew that. I didnt know about this board until my son was a Freshman. I was a reader at first but then became active when people was saying only thing Appomattox had was a Defense in 2015. Thats when I became active.

 

[Marshall-Dillon]

I grew up in Madison. I attended junior high in Bland. I graduated from Giles. My son played for Poquoson and I helped the coaches in their little league system. I now live in Staunton (thus Riverheads). I try to make it to at least one Madison game every year. I usually go to whichever Shenandoah district game is the most competitive during the regular season, but I watch Riverheads a lot. Come playoffs, I'll travel cross state to see any of my "Fab 5". I guess if I had to pick a favorite, it's Giles.

Madison got their first win under new HC Rhoads. Give him a few years and the Mounties will be back in the conversation.

 

[HS-SportsFan]

Madison got their first win under new HC Rhoads. Give him a few years and the Mounties will be back in the conversation.

What offense is he running at Madison?, seeing as he played in the single wing at Clarke County.

 

[BigWinners]

I can't believe it wasn't mentioned, but before consolidation Powell Valley v. Appalachia was as good as any rivalry in the state. Less than ten miles separated the two, and the schools combined to win something like 14-15 state titles. Some years, both teams won state titles. In 97, both teams won state titles and defeated GC, the state champs of one division higher in regular season.
Some of the most passionate games were between the two. Kids grew up together and led to some epic games and even more epic smack talk from the fanbases.

 

[obguthr]

Madison got their first win under new HC Rhoads. Give him a few years and the Mounties will be back in the conversation.

I sure hope so. They have been dreadful this season.

 

[Marshall-Dillon]

What offense is he running at Madison?, seeing as he played in the single wing at Clarke County.

Hard to tell...until last night, most defenses were in the backfield so fast it looked like the "Chinese Fire Drill" Just joking...I have no idea really,,,a spread maybe? They have some athletes, just real young.

 

[obguthr]

The QB was under center in the Luray game. Wing T, maybe? I don't believe they were in a Pro set.

 

[Marshall-Dillon]

QB was in shotgun with a RB right beside him last two games.