GC1

Actually the requirements ARE identical: " You must not have reached your 19th birthday on or before the first day of August of the current school year." And yeah, that's me. Mr. Irrational. I'll assume also since VA High and Abingdon both beat GC in a "scrimmage" this past year that they would have beaten GC in regular season too. So assuming that, let's assume that Gate City lost 7 games because if those 2 were better than GC then that's about how many games they would have lost. It all comes down to the fact that practice and real life are 2 different things. And you're right, speed kills. We found out about speed when we met Essex in the 2003 State Title game. They had a back that ran a sub 4.4 40. He only weighed around 150 lbs. and gave us fits til halftime til we got used to the turf. Result? 40-16 and a State Title. And I think I've readily admited that GC couldn't play with DB every year. That's just common sense from pure numbers! But I'll still stick by my bet that DB would do no better than 6 out of 10 on the gridiron. This past year would have been one of those years that DB would have taken GC to school with Ferguson throwing to all those WR's and the complimentary running game. You guys did have a very good team.

Isn't that how Kingsport always improves the DB sports teams? "Strategic Annexation"? If North, Central, or South plays em close a couple of years they just gobble up part of their respective school districts. They have already annexed to the State Line, might as well come on over another 3-4 miles And you don't have to worry about there being students too old to play for DB. If you check the TSSAA and VHSL guidelines then the age requirements are almost identical. You can't play any older in VA than you can TN. You never can tell, if you get some kids in DB that are used to winning titles you may be able to use them to bring one back to DB!

Now that IS funny. You beat a team what? 44-16? And then not play them any more because you're afraid? I'd say that DB would have done good to beat Gate City 2-3 times in the 70's. The 71,73,74 and 75 teams would have done about the same as the 70 team did (74 was better than 70). But that is pure speculation since Gate City was too skeered to play them mighty Indians. Like I said, you might win 6 out of 10 in football, but I guess we'll never know until those Scare Devils in Gate City get brave enough to play in FB again. I guess you're misguided thinking is akin to thinking you "won" a state championship in FB way back when just because some sportswriter awarded it to you? Titles aren't won (nor are games) because someone thinks you're good, they're won because you prove you're good.

I'd say the reason they wouldn't play in GC is because they couldn't have their refs there. I'll admit that GC shot pretty poorly, but if I had made some of the calls those refs did (or non-calls) I'd be ashamed to hold my head up. There were several walks (3 and 4 steps are walks aren't they) and fouls that were totally ignored. I guess you will tell me that DB is 19 points better now than they were at Arbys? I will say that DB would drill GC in BB the next few years though. Man, the kid on JV is huge! We just don't have anyone who could come close to matching up. As a previous poster said, though, I would like to get in a 10 year contract with DB in FB. Most years you guys would kill us in Basketball and Baseball. But I honestly don't think you could do better than 6 out of 10 in FB. But we'll never know I guess.

LW's issues have hurt his recruiting but I believe his stock will rise if he continues to take care of business in the classroom and on the field. One other note, I know that prior to his Jr. year he was invited to the Nike Football Camp held in Blacksburg at Virginia Tech. This is a big accomplishment for a Jr. as it is mostly a Sr. combine and only a select few Jr.'s are there by invitation only. Says a lot right there for the young mans talent.

I wasn't trying to start anything. Just explaining how the kid came here without moving. He was a good kid and helped us a lot. The only new kid that I can think of is N.B. A 6-2 265 lb. lineman. This could be him but I was thinking he came to the team from somewhere else.

The kid who came to Gate City last year was eligible because of "special circumstances" that were taken into consideration by authorities other that GCHS. As for the long-snapper/backup tackle this year I don't think he's at GC (I don't recall any new faces anyway). Now to the topic, just want to congratulate the Indians on the great year you are having. While I haven't been able to see you guys in person, I've been able to catch some games on the local replay. And I have to say I'm very impressed. Ferguson is really throwing the ball around, the D seems to be very strong, and I am VERY glad to see LW back out there snagging balls. While I've said in the past I'd like to play you guys, I have to admit that this is one year I'm glad we don't. We lost a lot of our O last year (have a solid D) but you guys have one of the best DB teams this year in my recent memory IMO. Hope the best for you guys and will be looking for you guys to go deep in the playoffs and hopefully to the BIG one.

South should win by at least 3 td's. But after the big game with North last week who knows how South will come out.

Thanks for the update WaCo. I hope he can get straightened out. He was starting to get quite a bit of D-1 attention especially afer being an invited junior to the Nike Camp last year.

Sorry skunk. Guess I was looking through my Royal Blue glasses again. I don't know if we can repeat REBELRON. We are talented but young and Powell Valley is loaded with seniors (over 20). We'll see how they come together. How are you guys looking?

To answer your question on holdacks Rebelron, yes Gate City has/does have holdbacks. I think there were 3 or 4 on last years team. The practice started in the late 80's-early 90's for various reasons. One being that a lot of other programs in SW VA were doing it and some in GC felt they needed to also (parents). I don't think kids are encouraged to by the coaches but they can't tell the parents not to since it is perfectly legal. It comes down to the fact that a kid can play no longer in Virginia than he can in Tennessee. And yours was a good post skunk. I myself see things different about DB. You guys beat us in Basketball, Baseball, and Softball because you were better. If you beat us in Football it is because you're better. You guys have great athletes, coaches, and tradition. We did scrimmage in football a few years back, but that was all it was, a scrimmage. Practice. We went on to win the AA Championship that year and I think if we played in the regular season more emphasis would have been put on winning and not experimenting with our players. In all honesty I feel that DB is probably the only program in upper East TN that we couldn't beat on a regular basis. TN High, Central, South, Betsy, and some others I feel we could hang with most every year, but DB would probably win 1/2-2/3 of our meetings on the gridiron. There would be those times when DB would drill us and then those rare occasions when we could possibly beat DB by 2 or 3 scores. Hope the best for the Indians this season. It's nice to have two programs (GC and DB) in the top 50 in national winning percentage 8 miles apart! Says a lot for our area.

Yeah, Gate City. Just curious as to his status. I've seen him play and he's good. Hate to see him throw it all away because he could have a bright future. Hope the best for you guys in the upcoming season. And I have to say it's been fun playing you all in the various sports this past year.

Was wondering if anyone could tell me if Lamon Williams will be suiting up for the Indians this fall? Great talent.