The Fall 2024 BHS season begins with volleyball and football action!
DISCLAIMER: ON JULY 9TH I MET THE ORIOLE BIRD, PERHAPS THE GREATEST MOMENT OF MY LIFE.
As you can tell by the title and disclaimer, I’ve had an unbelievable summer. Full of being an Orioles jinx and classic rock hits, among other things, like a certain Boston Massachusetts basketball team winning their unprecedented 18th NBA title! My favorite player Jaylen Brown won Finals MVP to make things even better.
The only thing I haven’t enjoyed about the summer has been the weather. I’ve tried to stay indoors in the AC, (or the un-AC’d garage where my PlayStation is), in order to beat the heat. The only time I was ok with being out in the heat was a trip to Sevierville Tennessee to go to Buc’ee’s for the first time ever. I must say, other than having his face plastered everywhere, the beaver knows his way around candied pecans and smoked BBQ. It was an unrivaled experience that I think every member of my immediate family would say was a life altering moment. I’m counting down the days until the Valley gets one. Who knows, maybe I’ll be able to fulfill my lifelong dream of being in a mascot suit! Although I think my previous statements about the weather might prevent me from fulfilling my mascot dream.
In summary it was a great summer. I enjoyed every second with my family and friends, I am excited to bear witness to seeing our beloved Gobblers in action once again!
Starting with the Lady Volleyball Gobblers!
Last season during the 2023 fall go around, the Lady Gobblers put up a record of 10-13. Out of those ten wins, four came against Valley District competition, which is most definitely a huge step in the right direction. Winning against Valley teams is crucial to a successful season. We’re incredibly lucky to have so much talent in the area across every sport offered by the area’s resident schools.
Led by friend of the blog and (former Runnin’ Royal great) Colton Frey, the Lady Gobblers have taken huge steps in the past couple of seasons. Improving their record by a handful of wins each year. Linear progress is what we as coaches look for. Only one team ends the season happy and, while we build towards the ultimate goal, we understand just how big improving every year truly is.
The team loses a couple important seniors, which is always something that inevitably must be overcome at the beginning of every new season. However, reminiscent of the team that plays at Camden Yards, there is a wealth of young talent for Coach Frey and company. An up-and-coming young core is something that excites you as a coach. To see your roster full of sophomores and juniors knowing that most of those names have played significant reps the past couple years, which tells you as a coach, there is true value in experience. Being able to stay Joe cool in the toughest of moments is of the utmost importance.
I’ll never forget my grandfather telling me stories of 49ers great Joe Montana. Cracking jokes in the huddle during the most nerve-wracking big game moments. The 49ers won as much as they did during their 80s heyday because of their leader’s inner sense of calm during huge moments. Leading that way by example is contagious to your other teammates. Some of the best teammates I’ve ever had were able to remain calm in the biggest and brightest of lights.
The roster construction for the team this season is full of great upperclassmen who have gotten their fair share of reps over their careers, and they have a great staff to back it up.
Like I mentioned earlier on in this tirade, the Valley District is full of talent across the board however, I especially feel that way about the volleyball teams in the area. Every year any given team could rise to the top of the standings. Gives you opportunities to be well rounded and battle tested by the time the playoffs roll around.
Build up aside, the opponents for the 2024-2025 season go as follows….
The regular valley district opponents go without saying now that we’re accustomed to East Rock and William Monroe. Which leaves way for us to introduce Rocktown High School. Rocktown, the second high school in the City of Harrisonburg, joining Harrisonburg High School is set to open it’s doors this fall, and will field athletic teams as part of the Valley District. Rocktown will make their first trip to Broadway on Tuesday, October 8.
Other than the brand-new Raptors, the out of district opponents are familiar to us at this point. Early season tournament against Fluvanna and two games apiece (three for the Flames if you include the scrimmage), against the Stuarts Draft Cougars and the aforementioned Eastern Mennonite Flames.
I am very excited for the upcoming volleyball season. I’ve always enjoyed watching the sport since my youth at EMU watching my father PA for the Royals.
Now for the football Gobblers!
Last year, the team put up a 5-5 record after many hard-fought games that didn’t go our way. Sometimes you have seasons where the cards don’t fall your way and as I’ve talked about before, football is a different animal. Very different. It’s the only sport where high-level contact is legal and an integral part of the game. I always use the boxing analogy. You take and receive punches and within that, your technique and strategy is what wins and loses you games. A ton of moving parts, it’s truly a beautiful game unlike any other.
Led by Head Coach and friend of the blog, Danny Grogg, entering his sixth season, (which makes me feel old, time moves so fast), the Gobblers are looking to build and improve off of a .500 season last year.
Grogg is a leader unlike any other. One of the most genuine people I’ve ever met who can command a room unlike any other. I’m grateful for everything I’ve learned from him over the years. I am highly confident in him and his staff, best in the game.
With the combination of a lifetime of experience and highly skillful leadership and tactician level skills, I am fully confident in forward progress for the football program this season.
The schedule is a carbon copy from last year, a well-balanced schedule featuring quality opponents across the board.
The team, much like their volleyball counterparts, is full of youth and experience despite having underclassmen playing big roles. That’s something I’ve always loved about Coach Grogg’s teams. He’s always given underclassmen the chance to compete and contribute to the bigger picture. Over the years that’s led to some great teams full of a plethora of talent from all grades. That leads to contributions from players you wouldn’t expect, which is always my favorite part as a coach. Seeing athletes emerge out of thin air to be big players for your program.
I am very excited to have Friday night lights back. No matter where you are in your football career, there truly is nothing like playing under the lights on a Friday in front of your hometown. Some of the greatest moments of my life have been winning big games with the team. Nothing compares to seeing on the field success with your teammates and coaches.
Overall, it was a great summer, but I must admit, I am ready for things to fire up again, I love working with BHS sports and I can’t wait to get started! I hope for nothing but the best for both programs we’ll be covering this fall, I look forward to talking with all of you over the course of this season!
You can catch select BHS Varsity Volleyball matches and all BHS Varsity Football games on the Gobblers Sports Network. For a broadcast schedule visit www.gobblerssportsnetwork.com
