Four Seasons football arrives with a book signing for good measure
· Yahoo Sports
Less than a week remains before the annual Battle of the Bluefields between the Beavers and G-Men (many would say the Graham—Beaver game) and one difference this year, I believe, is that tickets will be sold only online. There will be help available at the gate for those like yours truly who have little, if any, idea of how to purchase a ticket on the Internet but apparently the future is now and the theory is that this will help to avoid long lines.
Visit esporist.com for more information.
It probably will but as always it is still a good idea to get out to Mitchell Stadium early and find a good parking spot since thousands will make the trip. More improvements have been made to facility as apparently the time nears for the yearly West Virginia-side showdown may be soon be in jeopardy.
No, the two schools are not giving up the rivalry but although for the next two years, at least, while the contest will be played out on Stadium Drive, plans for Graham to host every other year are getting closer. With the new field at Double Gates, bleachers and press box and related facilities being prepared and plans for new field lights being reviewed, it will not be much longer until the G-Men can host regular night events, an historic first for the GHS site.
That will also allow for band, soccer and other events to be held adjacent to the high school and I think plans are for at least a 4,000-seat facility. It will certainly be a new dimension in the long-standing rivalry. Although the upcoming game has been billed as the 100th in the series, rumors are that some veteran observers say that might not be accurate. I saw one record that shows Bluefield High with a 70 – 27 – 2 advantage but I am not a statistician, although Rick Baker and Tim Kish have emerged as fellow who know just about all of the number involved.
It is a fact that this is not a rivalry that has gone on for 100 separate years, since the teams have played more than one game in a season on occasion, but again, I do not have all the statistics to verify. It will be interesting to see in the coming days if anyone can provide an absolutely accurate picture of this Great American Rivalry Series which is a highlight of every early fall for the fans of the two Bluefields and beyond.
What a wonderful time to be a Princeton Tiger fan, as well. Princeton is the defending state football champion in its class and citizens of the Mercer County seat are rightfully proud of their team, the coaches, cheerleaders and all involved. For many years, the Tigers were known primarily as a “basketball school” thanks in part of the exploits of stars like Rod Thorn, Jimmy Miller and others who led the way.
PSHS is still good in a variety of sports but in the last half decade or so, that football team has been one of the strongest in all of West Virginia. Good for the Tigers. A host of strong area teams make the competitive balance more fun for more communities.
Down in Tazewell, a reunion is being planned in early October for the 40th anniversary of the 1986 state champions. That year, Dave Litz’ Bulldogs whipped Nottoway 16-7 on a sunny Saturday in the 60th year of football. Since the Dogs opened gridiron action back in 1926, this will be the 100th anniversary of THS football.
I do not know if any of those rivalries have been held every year since, but like the BHS-GHS series, it may well be that the Dogs have a 100-game rivalry with someone. Once again, I do not have those numbers at hand but surely there are records available. Dr. Terry Mullins has a handle on almost every Tazewell situation so he would be one fellow who would either know or be aware of someone who might. Interesting, to be sure.
Another interesting Tazewell event will be the Saturday, August 29 book signing for Emilee Hackey featuring her memoir “All Things Unseen” at the Main Street Branch of the Tazewell County Public Library starting at 2 p.m., according to Librarian Erica Galloway. Emilee will do a reading and have books available for purchase and she will autograph copies. It should be a great event for readers and fans. Football and non-fiction on the same weekend certainly provides something for everyone in Four Seasons Country.