evidence: In Bluefield, this was particularly true of football. Coach Merrill Gainer came to Bluefield in 1959 and proceeded to win four state championships from 1959 to 1967 with an overall record of 87-6-1. [...] From the front page of the Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Nov. 22, 1975: "Championship football fever has spread throughout Bluefield as fans will notice on their way to today’s State AAA title game at Mitchell Stadium. At the top is the message flashing at the First National Bank in downtown Bluefield while Appalachian Power (bottom left) its own version as they welcome the Eagles to town and while the Holiday Inn message does the same. Kickoff is set for 1:30. (Photo by Jim Gilreath and Ray Lynch)." [...] Stubby Currence’s Press Box column the day of the 1975 West Virginia AAA Title Game was to be played at Mitchell Stadium.