A Synthesis of Triumph

The 2025 Fall Seasons see huge success for the Gobblers!
By: Ben Elliott

I love music. A lot. I think it’s a wonderful expression of art, real life emotions, meant to connect the listener to any experiences they had in life. And believe it or not, competition is an action, a feeling in many ways that we love, that is often expressed through music. I’ve talked about our beloved Staten Island-inspired, old 80s karate movie inspired, illustrious and legendary BHS football/basketball Willie Tinnell and I’s favorite hip hop outfit, Wu-Tang Clan. 

Synonymous with grit, passion and intensity that would make my sports heroes Kevin Garnett and Ray Lewis proud. Wu-Tang represents the ethos of what it means to love something, to work at something, and to give it all you have, till there is nothing left. 
Now, you might be wondering, as you often do with these blogs I write, “Ben, what does this have to do with BHS athletics?”

In 1997, following their seminal debut, Enter The 36 Chambers, RZA and company dropped their second album, a long awaited return after the success of 1993’s 36 Chambers, titled Wu-Tang Forever. On that record, the lead single was titled Triumph. A celebration of everything they’d done up until that point, and would go on to do in the future. An almost 6 minute track, that sounds like a championship parade taking place over wax.

We’ve been over the moon lucky the last couple years with the school wide success of your Gobblers athletic programs. I’m talking state titles for Cross Country and Softball, to go along with a sea of playoff bouts, many taking place at 268 Gobbler Drive. I can try all I want however, it’s difficult to put into words just how downright hard it is to win, in anything in life. Nothing is given, only earned, meaning you have to, in the same way Method Man and Ghost face would, give everything you have to whatever you do. 

The hard truth is, you might not even get the result you desire, even with all the work you’ve put in. Which can make it all feel like it wasn’t worth it. I’ve been there. Anyone who’s participated in any competition whatsoever, also understands this dichotomy. You end up feeling like you did everything you could, yet despite your best efforts, you still come up short. 

I have learned over the years that losing, failure, defeat or any other synonym in the English language, actually is the true step, to an eventual synthesis. A synthesis of triumph. 
There was a time in the not too distant past, in which both the volleyball and football teams struggled. Yet those failures of the time built up. They moved us closer to understanding what it takes to win, and how to sustain it over a long period of time. I know for a fact that both programs are in a better place today. Thanks to wonderful coaching staff’s reigniting the fire for the game and most importantly, in every equation, the players. Without you all, we as coaches would be nothing. You all make us run. Make us fulfilled in seeing your success. 
The volleyball program switched leadership from EMU’s very own, friend of the blog (most of the time), Gobblers Sports Network broadcaster Colton Frey, who departed from BHS to help build and coach the Bridgewater Men’s Volleyball program that will begin play this spring. You can bet your bottom dollar, I'll be behind the Eagles bench, shaking the gobbler call in Frey’s direction when they come to Yoder Area later this spring.

Sydney Coffman took leadership of the program this fall, after a successful run as JV head coach in the Gobbler Dome the past couple seasons. 

It felt to me that continuity was present from Day One for the volleyball Lady Gobblers. The gym was so loud the first home game of the season, that even the clearest of minds would’ve had trouble keeping up with their own thoughts. Absolutely electric. Fueled by the strong mic of my ole man, the honorable Mr. Jeffrey Francis Elliott, who was always quick to remind the student section that my apple watch wasn’t impressed with the noise level. 

The season was electric. A continuation of the success of the past couple seasons. A huge nod to the players for their preparation and execution on a nightly basis. Season sweeps over two very good Spotswood & East Rock teams would be my highlight for the season. Two opponents that have been the model consistency in the district in recent years. I’m excited that the Lady Gobblers get to be in that conversation now, with no end in sight. 

A wonderful senior class led the team this season. Ruby Veurink, Kaden Alger, Taylor Long, Natalie Craig, Mattie Chupp and Clara Denmon gave a tremendous service to the program over their respective tenures. It will not go unnoticed any time soon. Getting to host a playoff game back to back seasons is no small feat. And although the journey ended sooner than expected, it was an unforgettable ride. I am grateful to have witnessed the 2025 Lady Volleyball Gobblers! 

Allow me to take you to the (way too hot) summer of 2019. Coach Grogg had just gotten the head coaching position after being an assistant on the staff for a handful of years. We had incredible numbers, excitement was high. We got people talking, pre-game shows at Gobbler Grill, etc. 

Now, if you were there during this time, you know what happens next. We went 1-9. We weren’t very good that year. Losing every game for almost three months hurts. Not easy to come in day in and day out at times. However, in November of that year, we beat Waynesboro on the road for our last game of the year, coming off the heels of an awkwardly timed Week 9 bye week. 

That night, a spark was lit that has been ongoing ever since. 

2020-2021 was my senior year (some luck), we only played 6 games that year, but went 4-2, with both losses being to two pretty good teams. The very next year is when we started to see the benefits of all the hard work the program had been putting in up until that point in time. 

2021 set the stage for what the past two years have been. In 2021, (my favorite class ever, no offense), went 6-4 in the regular season, setting us up for a playoff bout with our neighbors in Bridgewater. 

We took full advantage of that matchup. Keeping things close until our ultimate victory, which unless you were inside the walls of the program, is no telling how much that moment meant to our program. Coach Grogg’s first playoff win. I felt over the moon for him. He and his staff got the best out of us every day and motivated us to be the best versions of ourselves we could be. 

The next two years weren’t easy. Missing the playoffs in ‘22’ and '23. We had some talent, we just weren’t able to string wins together against a really good district/region. 
Last year was different. The young core that had been waiting in the wings for the last couple years, (the class that was in eighth grade my first year in ‘21- gross, I am old). This class of ‘26 harbors talent from every phase of the game. A perfect match with the class of ‘25, which had many talents on its own.  

We went 7-3 in 2024, and surprisingly or not, we barely snuck into the big dance. A testament to how difficult our region is, in every sport. We went on the road to Lynchburg and its most wealthy C-USA member university and lost. Not much to say in that regard. 

The 2025 season was beyond our wildest dreams. The team expanded on their 7-3 record from a year ago, going 9-2 overall for the year. A year marked by setting records, the team broke more individual and team records than I could list here, including points scored in a game. A record that had stood for decades at this point in time. 

Every game the team played in was a close contest. Even the two losses. It was a joy to watch this team play every week. Always ready to give everything you have, and it truly showed. We were sound in every aspect of the game, all three phases. To me, it represented the perfect swan song for Coach Grogg and others on staff, who have given everything they have to the program, year in and year out, for a decade plus. Unbelievable sacrifices from their families in order to empower the athletes and get the most out of them individually, and together, as a team. Coach Grogg announced after the season that this season was indeed his last. While I will miss him on the sidelines, I know first hand how difficult coaching is, and how much time it takes away from your family. Especially if you’re a parent, which I can only imagine what it must feel like to not have that time with your children. 

I will give a special shoutout to coach Garber, Ung and Tinnell, who are also departing after this year. Each one of you has had a profound impact on my life and many others. Thank you all for your contributions to the community over your decades of service. It will never be forgotten. 

The future at this moment is uncertain for the program, yet, I am confident in its future. A great young but experienced core will return next season, and whoever takes the mantle as head coach will have a wonderful group to start their tenure with! 

The Fall season also many BHS Players honored for the play on the court or field:
Volleyball:
All-Valley District First Team:
Clara Denman
All-Valley District Second Team:
Mady Ennis
All-Region 3C Second Team:
Clara Denman

Football:
Valley District Offensive Player of the Year:
Uriah Rutan
All-Valley District First Team:
Clay Garber (C)
Sebastian Ray (OL & DL)
Alejandro Salinas (OL & DL)
Brenden Glovier (QB)
Jayce Suters (RB)
Eli Post (TE)
Zechariah Stuhlmiller (WR)
Uriah Rutan (All Purpose Offense & DB & P & PR & KR)
Caiden Rhodes (DB)
Ryan Hardy (LB)
All-Valley District Second Team:
Caiden Rhodes (WR)
Zechariah Stuhlmiller (DB)
Rennick Billmeyer (LB)
Eli Post (DL)
Caleb Simmers (K)
All-Region 3C First Team:
Clay Garber (C)
Sebastian Ray (OL & DL)
Uriah Rutan (WR & DB & KR & PR & P)
Eli Post (TE)
All-Region 3C Second Team:
Brenden Glovier (QB)
Jayce Suters (RB)
Ryan Hardy (LB)
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Basketball Teams Prepare to Tip-Off the 2025-2026 Season

Shifting gears now to the hardwood, which you all know I have a bias for. I love every sport ever, but basketball is something different to me. I still coach it to this day. The only game you can play by yourself. The intensity of grabbing rebounds and playing help defense is second to none to me, so with that dramatic introduction out of the way, let's get into our preseason preview for the 2025-2026 BHS basketball teams!

Starting with the customary, my beloved girls basketball team. The Lady Gobblers! 
For the last four years, I had the pleasure to coach Wren Wheeler. A mentality reminiscent of the Black Cat or the Black Mamba. By any means necessary, win at all costs type of player. This attitude was reflected in everything Wren did, which included the ultimate personal achievement, becoming the all time leading scorer in program history, in a playoff game nonetheless.
 
Needless to say, this year's squad has big shoes to fill, no doubt about it. Yet so far, in practices, scrimmages and even summer/fall tournaments, that’s just what this group has done. We will play a more by committee style this year, which I am excited about. Giving the next group a chance to pick up the mantle and run with it. Leaving our options open for our offensive game plan each night. 

I don’t need to speak on defensive expectations. You already know. This is our identity, what we bring to the table no matter what. It’s what I love. My coaching identity is intertwined with these fundamental principles that come with coaching defense to the best of your ability. Communication is key, without it, everything falls apart. 

So, you know what to expect on both sides of the ball, now let's talk about some schedules!
Besides the usual Valley district foes, (which I won’t list, you’re probably sick of that by now), we have some familiar and a new trip or two in our agenda for this season. We will start the year with non-district play as usual, which includes Luray & Staunton, which have become customary opponents for us over the years, gyms we know inside and out at this point. I always look forward to playing both of those squads, both well coached. The new trips for us are Central and Monticello in addition to our holiday tournament in Strasburg, which we’ll get into in a moment. 

We’ve made the trip to Central for years in a series of scrimmages and even in the aforementioned holiday tournament, but never for a home and home series. We played them last year and it was an intense matchup. They played a very physical style of play, which I appreciated. Definitely made us better down the stretch. That’s what these non-district teams are for. To give us a different look than we’re used to seeing which in turn (we hope) will make us better later down the line. Now, I won’t lie to you, Monticello is a new one to me. One I am not familiar with. So I am really looking forward to this matchup. Giving us a chance to put yet another new gym on our long list of travels over the years.
 
The holiday tournament in Strasbourg has become a mainstay for our program ever since my first year back in 2021. Teams from all over the region come out to compete against each other. It’s a great pulse for what the region has to offer. And it’s normally the point in the season where I feel like I’ve hit a stride personally in the season. We’ve (hopefully) hit a good rhythm by that point, and are ready to roll into district play following the conclusion of the tournament. Last year, we went 3-0 at the holiday tournament for the first time ever, in all the years we played in that tournament. It was a feeling I cannot describe. Huge progress for us as a program. 

Not to mention the wonderful hospitality that Strasburg shows us every time we come out. That also means a lot to me, from an ambassador's perspective.  

Overall, it will be a new look for the team this year. Wren was an outstanding presence to have throughout her career, she was a dominant offensive force, which will be missed however, I am thrilled to see what this new group will do. And how far we can go, which I believe is far, with how much talent is on this team. I am grateful to be a part of it.
 
Coach Walton & Coach J have a different composition than the one we have at this moment in time. 9 yes, 9 sophomores for Walton and company this season.  And all of them have seen game time at some point across last season. 

If you recall, it was a tough season record wise for the boy’s program. But, during that season, something started to emerge. A young core. Which in the blink of an eye, isn’t young anymore. They play a committee style of basketball, which I love. It’s the coaching tree I’m from. So this is a biased answer of course. But this play style is versatile. And really hard to game plan for. When you have a handful of players that you have to account for, it makes it much harder to scheme defensively.
 
That’s what you’ll see this season for the boy’s team. Much like the girl’s squad, you’ll see the same identity emerge. A team that’ll keep games low scoring, allowing for more breathing room defensively.
 
Their schedule features the same trip to Monticello, plus their versions of holiday tournaments, both here at home, and on the road in Cave Spring, which is always a legendary trip. Lot’s of awesome memories over the years.
 
Just like our Strasburg trip, Cave Spring/Roanoke gives a chance for the boys team to see new competition, from a different perspective if you will. It makes you so much better on the other side, even if you don’t inherently win the games you play there.
 
I have great expectations for the boy’s team this year. I expect they'll continue to grow in a progressive direction, to continue to refine their skills in every aspect of the game. 
Growth is a wonderful thing, I cannot wait to see them play this season!
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Overall, this was a lot to take in, the fall saw great growth and success, with changes to follow, which are natural for sports of every kind. The winter brings with us a new season, for both basketball programs. I am overjoyed to bear witness to both!