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Close to the mountains? Are you insane. I can tell you have never been Swain county. First off, Google what the Blue Ridge Mountains are. 2nd, the lowest point in Swain County is still higher than the highest in Yadkin County. I think you are confused on what foothills are and what valley's are. Rolling hills outside of the mountains, are called foothills. Lowpoints within the mountains, are called valleys. The problem here is that you are trying to base all of Swain County, just on the elevation of Bryson City. Swain County has peaks over 6300 feet in elevation. Hell, I would bet Bryson City changes nearly 500 feet just within the city limits.Originally posted by BigSkyCountry:
I understand what you are saying, but the Yadkin River valley is a similar situation, and yes it is a few hundred feet lower than Bryson City. The NC mountain towns are 3000 - 5000 ft. I will give you that Bryson City is not too far under 3000, but certainly not as high as some of the towns on top of the mountains. If you want to go that far, then West Montgomery sits in the oldest mountain range in the United States, the Uarie Mountains. I think Mountain Football refers more to a style played by schools in and at the base of the mountains. Swain exemplifies Mountain Football, so no disrespect to the folks from the Smokies. You are certainly close to the mountains.
Just put the pot on. How 'bout you?Originally posted by BK13T-$:
OldMaroon, You got a cup of joe? Early bird.
Well, when my wife gets up I'll have to make hers...Originally posted by BK13T-$:
My wife (McDonalds) is putting me a cup on right now.
Actually Bryson City sits on the banks of the Tuckasegee River. Tuckasegee is a Cherokee term for "turtle place". Maybe that's why our sports teams are so slow.Originally posted by Thunder.Head:
First of, Swain is hurt and young by their standards of the past. That is no myth, but it doesn't mean they aren't good. Second, did you just say that Swain would be considered foothills, geographically? That is absurd! The only reason Bryson City sits below 2000 feet is because it's nestled along the Nantahala river which sits in a valley. Other than that, half the county lies within the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. It is as mountainous as NC gets. Third, I think there is a hell of a lot to say about the SMC and their continued success year in and year out with Swain, Murphy and Robbinsville.
This post was edited on 11/29 9:42 PM by Thunder.Head
I don't think mountain football is really defined by the style of play but rather the toughness they play it with, and those schools you mentioned are very tough despite mountain teams always having a distinct disadvantage in the athlete department. However, the Smoky Mountain region both culturally and geographically, are a lot different than the high country. The high country although generally a higher elevation, is more like a plateau and a lot less rugged than it's Smoky Mountain/Balsam counterparts. If you notice, the high country has a lot of farms whereas the Southwest Mountains just aren't suitable for it. That, over the course of time, has bred a different type of people and culture than those of Avery, Ashe and Watauga. I think one of the best articles I have read on the topic of mountain football, was by Rod White when he was at Swain in 2004:Originally posted by Junglejimk:
I enjoy reading the comments and the recent geographical discussions. S-pecialy good to finally learn the origins of the name "Starmount". I always wondered why the HS was called Starmount instead of Boonville high.
I will throw in here that "mountain football" is not well defined, some would imply that it is a style encompassed in the education centers located high elevation topography, but that is really not the case. I would point out here that some of NC's highest elevation schools opt for the "west coast" style, (ex. Ashe county, Watauga, Avery at times) which most do not consider as classic Mountain football.
Lol, I don't think it was supposed to turn to such, but when someone says that Bryson City is a lot like Booneville in that they are both 'foothills', I think we should all feel compelled to educate the poor soul. Haha.Originally posted by gal durnit:
Are we playing a game this week or is it a geography test?
As far as anyone mentioning injuries or youth it isn't a woe is me scenario. In fact is too the contrary. It is a testament to the boys and the coaches for working hard and building back quick. Say everyone get their panties out of a bunch, study your geography notes, and get ready for this test, I mean game on Friday.