From Young Braves to Mighty Warriors

by Ron Bales

From Young Braves to Mighty Warriors is my best recollection and story of how we, as a community, a school, and a group of determined and dedicated young men, overcame incredible obstacles and challenges to build a powerful football program that won the Group A Virginia High School League State Championship in 1970 and four consecutive Region C championships in the six short years that I had the privilege of serving as head football coach. This book is also a tribute to the mental toughness and dedication to a common cause of hundreds of young men who proudly wore the orange-and-black for the Chilhowie Warriors from 1966 to 1973.