By Tim Hayes
Sports Writer / Bristol Herald Courier
Published: March 11, 2009

There have been 31 state championship football teams from Southwest Virginia in the last 38 years. From the Chilhowie Warriors and Gate City Blue Devils in 1970 to the 2006 Richlands Blue Tornado, area teams have hoisted the state championship trophy many times since the VHSL introduced the modern playoff format in the fall of 1970.

But who is the best team never to win a state football title? There have been 26 state runner-up teams from Southwest Virginia since 1970.

That’s where I need your help. For an upcoming project I am doing regarding past football state champions from the area, I am trying to figure out what team was the best never to take home the ultimate prize. The runner-up teams are listed below. Please feel free to leave a comment or e-mail me and let me know what team you think was the best to never win it and why. I look forward to hearing your answers and suggestions and your voice will be heard in this project. Whatever team gets the most votes, will be featured.

Here is a list of the runner-up teams that are on the survey

1973 Clintwood Greenwave
1976 Pennington Bobcats
1978 Gate City Blue Devils
1980 Appalachia Bulldogs
1983 George Wythe Maroons
1986 Garden Green Dragons
1990 Lee High Generals
1990 J.I. Burton Raiders
1991 Lebanon Pioneers
1992 Lebanon Pioneers
1993 Appalachia Bulldogs
1994 Gate City Blue Devils
1998 J.I. Burton Raiders
1999 Pound Wildcats
2000 Honaker Tigers
2001 Graham G-Men
2002 Appalachia Bulldogs
2004 J.I. Burton Raiders
2004 Powell Valley Vikings
2005 Richlands Blue Tornado
2005 J.I. Burton Raiders
2006 J.I. Burton Raiders
2007 Richlands Blue Tornado
2007 Clintwood Greenwave
2007 Gate City Blue Devils
2008 Clintwood Greenwave