What does Gallia Co. football need?

[Orange and Brown]

I think Gallia County football needs what it already has and that is the support of the community's that the schools serve. There isn't anything that can be done that will turn all three schools into state powers with a click of the finger. Gallia County has some good High School football fans. I think in time you will see all three schools making runs at league titles and playoff.

[91blue14]

Not to belabor the point, but in checking Joe Eitel's excellent site which only goes back to 2001, here are the records for the three Gallia County schools over that time period. Since someone thinks one program is ahead of the other two in the recent past, I also put the records of the last three years in parentheses:

GALLIA ACADEMY: 61-37 with 5 playoffs. (11-19 last three years) 6 winning seasons. 4 playoff wins

SOUTH GALLIA: 34-57 with 2 playoffs. (9-21 last three years) 2 winning seasons. 0 playoff wins

RIVER VALLEY: 20-70 with 0 playoffs. (5-25 last three years) 1 winning season.

The point is I believe we all have a lot of work to do before we talk about each other and what direction who is headed, and since we are all from the same County and all play in different divisions ( GAHS- III, RV- IV, SG- VI), we ought to come together and support one another. The best of all worlds would be for all three Gallia County schools to be in the playoffs the same year. We came close twice. In 2005 and 2006, GAHS and SG BOTH were in the playoffs.

looks pretty lopsided to me. they all have alot of work to do

[BBallin fool]

I also look for RV to get more students because of there location.

[Orange and Brown]

I also look for RV to get more students because of there location.

I could see that happening!

[tl895]

talent.........

[jottings]

Lots of time in the weight room and lots of running in the spring.

[sandman]

Perhaps the salvation of RV football will be that if you go there and if you are decent, then you will play. The question becomes; Would you rather play on a down team or sit the bench on an up team. I think that most would rather play given the choice. One thing that few can say is that they went to RV and did not get on the field. If enough players recognize this reality, RV may just get the raw stock they need to compete and turn around their fortunes.

[sandman]

I am just sitting here going through the Dodge Reports (notifications of construction projects) and received an RFQ (request for quote) on new athletic facilities at both SG and RV. Apparently some bids have already been received and are under review. A possible selection date is projected in 30 days. This would go a long way in the process of rebuilding the programs of the County Schools.

[BBallin fool]

Yes it will!!!

[sandman]

If you have spent any time involved with the RV program, you know that these players are going out strictly for the joy and experience of playing the game. Do they want to lose, of couse not, but they are fully aware of the uphill struggle that they face each and every game. Some of the physical, let alone mental, beatings that they take would break the spirit of even the toughest individual but yet there are 4-year players out there every season, often graduating with less than 7-8 victories in their career. Are they out there to play?, Yes. Would a senior be a 4-year letterman anywhere else? Not likely.

I was on the field, after midnight, at Southeastern, celebrating RV's first win after losing 41 straight, so I and all RV fans understand the importance of winning. There is NO more dedicated fan in the area than an RV fan and we fully understand that our players are there because they love to PLAY or we would not show up each week. I would agree that we, like the players, are hoping for that victory but if we wanted nothing to do with losing, following your logic, all three schools would have had empty stands and sidelines each week and sometimes RV nearly does. But each year, the players keep coming, more often than not playing both ways against older, stronger athletes. I venture to say that when the RV program does turn around, it will be for just this reason. Some group of athletes, that would not have been playing as freshmen and sophomores at another program, will stay together, come through the ranks, utilize their experience and turn the program around for future players.

I would feel safe in saying that both county programs, particularly SG, have sometimes gained the benefit of digruntled players from the city but more importantly, numerous players from both programs have left for the more "attractive" (and successful) program of the city schools. To say that a program that is more attractive, along with facilities, is not a powerful recruiting tool is not logical. Any recruiter from the next level that has the luxury of nice facilities, carries that tool in his belt like a carpenter carries a hammer. When my son was making college visits, the first thing they did was tour the facilities.

Like you, GAHS, I want to win but I still maintain that these boys want to play most of all. In a perfect world, they play and win. Whether they win or lose may be more on the shoulders of the adults involved with the system, coaches, boosters, fans, administration, etc. rather than the players themselves because on Friday nights, they give it all they have.

[wildthingRV]

I believe me means county schools in so far as the schools are those run by the Gallia COUNTY Local School district.

That's all I am going to say on this one. Retreating to my safe distance.

Oh, and if RV is getting a stadium, the better get a track, too.

[BBallin fool]

GA $90.00 to play SG 0 RV 0 !!!New Schools for all 3!!!

[Daniel Larusso]

When is Gallia Academy getting a a new football stadium and track?

[BBallin fool]

I heard no money for that!!!

[superblue]

I believe the track will be built...Wasn't this part of the Eastmans donation????? Football stadium...Probably not in my lifetime.... Besides why would you build a new stadium next to a county sewage system treatment plant???????

[wildthingRV]

That's probably a better place than the current Memorial Field after high water on the Raccoon Creek . With all due respect, that's a nasty mess.

[2trap_4ever]

As for River Valley I would love to know where the malfunction is, any time I have seen River Valley play those boys play hard for four quarters no matter the score, so that there tells me its not the players, so is the the powers that be in the school system or coaching, there the only two reasons left for them losing the way they do.

[ladycatherine]

I have been told that it will be YEARS before there is money to build a new GAHS football/track facility, and that was before the Democrats came in and wrecked the economy with their welfare state.

I agree w ith superblue. We will probably not see new facilities in my lifetime, and all the positive thinking in the world won't change that.

Like my granny said, you can wish on one hand.

[Daniel Larusso]

High water on Memorial Field during football season doesnt happen as often as one might think. Superblue is more expert on that than I as he and the Boosters have to empty out the concessions stand every time the waters overtake the building. I'm thinking it happens more often in the spring than the fall.

I have a photo album I carry in my briefcase of the last time it flooded during football season. Im thinking it was perhaps 2004 or so? Water up to top row of visitors stands and to the goal post. At any rate I dont see $6.1M raining down from Heaven anytime soon, and I am of the opinion that by the time they get the $6.1M in hand, the construction costs for the same stadium will probably approach $10M.

IMO we dont need a stadium like Jackson or Logan has. Seating comparable to what Memorial Field holds now usually does the trick. The only changes needed would be to elevate the visitors stands off the ground level, have the regulation track around it , and put down a rug.

There is not enough room around memorial field for a regulation track. They would have to build a separate facility in centenary for that.

You also forgot a flood wall.

[Daniel Larusso]

I would also like to add that the track facilities at Gallia are a slap in the face to the type of track and field athletes they have put out the last 15 years. It's a shame that the best girls track and field program in southern Ohio has to practice on the worst track in southern Ohio.