Observations

Here are some things i have noticed from watching games this year and last.I don't try to anger anyone with this.

1.) I hope i am wrong, but it sure looks like mediocrity has hit SWVA football. Richlands and J.I.B. could be the exception. It may just be a phase, but i just haven't been really impressed with many teams.
2.) Maybe it was a phase and we were really blessed to see so much "talent" in NETN and SWVA for about 15 years. Just look at all the *kids/men playing in the NFL from this area. TJ was swarmed by all the kids at the game...it was kinda funny. He left in the late 3rd or early 4th.
3.)NETN has 5-6 teams that would beat anyone except Richlands, and possibly **J.I.B. and i've not seen that happen in 30 yrs at least.
*Miller, TJ, Sensabaugh, Witten, JJ,Franklin, etc, not to mention all of the D1 players during that span.
** I haven't seen Burton this year yet.

I agree with everything you said. I think that several teams will have very solid teams in the next 2-3 years though. There'll be an upswing coming up soon. I don't know if it'll rival some of what we've experienced in the past though.

I heard about Thomas Jones being at the GC/PV game as well .. I was at the game, but I was in the stands most of the time and not near where he was so I didn't really see him.

It would have been awesome to actually get a chance to meet him, but I just didn't want to bug the guy since I pretty much knew he would already be swarmed.

OK I'll ask. Upon what do you base this observation that the district is down? Is it the fact that it's not beig led by the usual powers(ie GC or PV)? Is it that other then Richlands and Burton everyone seems capable of beating other teams. I don't think that the Region is necessarily down. I think it is more an issue of parity in the region. As a whole I think that teams are stronger, ie the Ervingtons and the Castlewoods are getting better.

I didn't say the district, i said SWVA football as a whole. I would have to say, that yeah it has a lot to do with it,because they have been the dominant teams, but not just that. Appy is looking good so far this year after being down for a couple. It looks like Clintwood will make the playoffs if they win out, and i am sure even the folks from there will tell you the teams from 4-6 years back that didn't make the playoffs were a lot better. PV and GC were both quite a bit better. JJ Kelly was good at that time also, Appy was really good thru the 90's and early 00's. Honaker was very good several years in a row, Haysi, Tazwell, Graham, even Grundy have seen much better days.
I tried to be polite about what i saw coming earlier this year, GC is very young and inexperienced, etc. I got laughed off the board, called Knute Rockne when i tried to get the kids a little fired up. I didn't post this to start a fight, It is something i truly believe from watching.

I also try to "rate" teams by previous teams i have had the experience to see play. I haven't seen a team this year that didn't have a "glaring" weakness or two, and that wasn't always the case.

i agree the region is not as good.

Agreed, outside of Norton and Richlangs, It's almost as big a difference in night and day in the teams. take one of Clintwoods 4-6 teams of years back they finish 2nd in the LPD this year to Norton.

I respect what you're saying, and it is interesting. But I still believe it's more an issue of parity. In years past, you could determine with a pretty good consistency predict the winner of most games. Ive seen a number of teams play(for the first time in 20 years I didn't have to watch just one team) and I was amazed at some of these former cellar dwellers. I believe that if they were in the right districts theese teams could turn heads. Just some food for thought....

I think its BS. Those points are the highest points and examples, to say its fallen off so drastically is an over statement. Things always look better when your looking back, I think many of the teams have evened out and those few once in a lifetime style of players just arent there. You have had more teams in the past two years beat other teams than you have in the last 15 years, the dominance of the few are gone. No Jones, No Clarks, No Houserights, its the same quality teams without the superstar.

I agree. With the exception of very few teams, most of them might as well be playing powder puff.

[img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
So everybody had "once in a lifetime players" at the same time for 15 years or so? How many state titles have been brought back to this area (LPD,SWD,HOGO,BDD,etc..) since 2000? How many in the previous 30 years?

There were no NFL'ers or all world players back in the late 80's and very early 90's. Those Appy, PV, and one or two CW and Coeburn teams were head and shoulders better than 99% of the better teams today.

A lot teams that played GC before they come back did so because of the competition.
Some on here cannot accept the facts. This year when GC leaves. You will go back to the usual teams being dominate.
True Norton will have this year and next, to prove something.
But after that it's back the traditional powers of the LPD from the 90's.
That's no hate to towards anyone that is just the programs.
Look at the last few years and see how wrong i am.
Take GC out of the mix, and you have what, one team that has shown up different. Burton.
Sorry folks the facts are the facts. It will be back to the traditional LPD.

15 years is 3 generations of football players (4x3), TJ, JJ JHAM and Heath are all in those 3 generations. All 3 are in the NFL.

The comment about NETN teams, with the exception of GC no one cares, I wont even get into why, but as it goes.

I think its more of laurel resting and the good ole days.

GC could dominate the region if their jv sticks with it within the next few years.

For the Clinch Mountain (I think that's what it is to be called), I see GC, VA High, and Lebanon being the dominant teams.

I can see what you're saying about the state of SWVA football. I too believe it is down considerably with the exception of Burton and Richlands. Both are fine football teams. But I've watched area FB for a good many years and The PV's, Grahams, Appy's, and GC's aren't anywhere near where they were in the late 80's and 90's for the most part. I would bet money that the 98 GC team that went 3-7 would be the 2nd place team in the LPD this season. And I know that I will probably get a lot of flack for this, and I'm not saying it to hurt any feelings, but this is the weakest GC team I have ever seen take the field. The 98 team would beat this team 3-4 TD's. But it's one of those cycles that happens. You get good years and you get bad ones.

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15 years is 3 generations of football players (4x3), TJ, JJ JHAM and Heath are all in those 3 generations. All 3 are in the NFL.

The comment about NETN teams, with the exception of GC no one cares, I wont even get into why, but as it goes.

I think its more of laurel resting and the good ole days.

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Hey Chutspah, 4 x 3 is 12. [img]/LDPforum/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]