Beavers, Blue Tornado serve up special seasons
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
By LARRY HYPES - Bluefield Daily Telegraph

Believing in the Bluefield Beavers is usually easy enough. According to the radio introduction for BHS football, Bluefield has posted 58 winning seasons, more than 500 total victories, 8 state championships, and now four straight appearances in the state title game including the 2005 showdown.

Tom Bone's article highlighting the Bluefield coaches was right on target. Fred Simon and his assistants including Tony Webster, Mike Craighead, Randy Albert, Bill Albert, Pete Sarver and Freddy Simon Jr., have done a remarkable job - and certainly not just during the current campaign.

Bluefield is the defending state champion, after all, and now returns to Wheeling for another game with Weir. These two played a classic game last year and now Weir (12-1) is fourth-ranked while Bluefield comes in as the underdog at no. 11.

That certainly takes the pressure off and hopefully BHS will come away with the victory.

I seem to recall Bob Redd saying that Bluefield switched to “AA” ranking in 1994 and during the past 11 years have been in the state finals six times. That surely does speak volumes about not only the parade of talent which has come through the school but also the fine coaching job turned in by the Bluefield staff. Coach Simon seems to consistently find ways to make the Beavers exciting and competitive.

Although I cover Virginia-side sports and seldom get to see the Beavers except on the radio, I admire their success which has set the standard for many years in the area. This current group was not supposed to be playing in December, according to the experts.

That is simply one more reason to be proud of the '05 team and coaches, and those loyal fans who support them all year long.

Richlands is only two steps away from a second state championship with Liberty-Bedford coming to Ernie Hicks Stadium Friday. Greg Mance's Tornado played one of its toughest games this past week against a Graham G-Men squad that did everything except win.

It will go down as one of the great games in the long history between these two Tazewell County rivals.

The Blue Tornado (12-0) has been ranked first in the state all season and this week will mark the final time RHS will play at home, no matter what, since the state finals will be in Lynchburg. Bedford (11-1) was also a top seed in its regional final and will be a tough opponent.

Greg Mance and his staff deserve high praise for their work. Richlands was supposed to be rebuilding but the Blues have spent the season dismantling their opponents.

The RHS players are a talented unit but talent is never enough. It is obvious they work well together on and off the field.

One step at a time is the rule but the Blues have already taken several giant strides in 2005.

Larry Hypes is a columnist for the Bluefield Daily Telegraph.