1A VHSL FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
GALAX (10-4) at RIVERHEADS (13-0)
SALEM CITY STADIUM 12 noon kick-off
Charles Harris of Galax will need his line to get victories up front in order for him to have a winning day getting big yards.
One team was expected to be here all along before the season even began. The other came out of nowhere after having a very difficult start. On Saturday afternoon one team plans to add an additional football state champion trophy while the other plans to add football to the numerous other state titles in other sports. You can expect a very spirited contest between the Riverheads and Galax in Salem Saturday for the 1A state championship.
Riverheads Gladiators run the wing-T offense where discipline and strength is key to its success. Coach Robert Casto has been able to assemble the right group to give Riverheads an opportunity to bring home a title once again. The team has won titles in 2000, 2006, and 2010. The team’s toughest contest was when the faced Buffalo Gap where they had to rally to get the victory.
Tough games have been something come to Galax. Coach Mark Dixon’s group started the season 1-4 but it was the best 1-4 start many had seen because Galax could have easily been 5-0 at the point. Defense got better, mistakes became less frequent, and the will to win intensified. The Maroon Tide have won 9 straight and will be trying to put it all together to finish the streak at 10 for their first title in football.
Coach Mark Dixon's Galax squad has battled all season long and Saturday won't be any different.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Riverheads is led by a trio of running backs who are all capable of going the distance and putting 6 on the board. Harrison Schaeffer, Landon Diehl, and Colt Miller are big time rushers that will try to work their magic one more time.
The focus for Galax is big time rusher Charles Harris who has rushed for over 3,000 yards this season. This is not however a one-man team as Dougie Peoples is quite the game breaker. On defense linebacker Caleb Spurlin is a force to be reckon with.
KEY TO THE TROPHY
Riverheads Coach Robert Casto is going for football title #4.
Riverheads is no stranger to defensive success. They know to be in the right spots and handle their assignments. If the Gladiators can withstand the strength and tough defensive line of the Maroon Tide then Riverheads should be able to find great success. Galax offensive line is more experience and tougher than what George Wythe brought to the table last week. A war at the line of scrimmage is unavoidable.
Offensive production for the Gladiators has had plenty of success and should be able to catch the overly aggressive Galax defense out of position and make the pay.
Galax will have to dominate the line of scrimmage to win this game. Peoples has the speed to leave Riverheads defense in the dust so don’t expect them to have many opportunities. The Maroon Tide must win the possession battle by converting on key short yardage downs. Weightlifting and power will be need to be an asset that Galax will need to tap into all game alone. Defensively, Galax will need to be in their positions and doing their job. Spurlin will need to get into the backfield and help disrupt the steady rushing attack.
KEY POINT
Many believe that is Riverheads is the more high-powered offense that can light up the scoreboard while Galax is more of steady hand out of their deep back sets. The truth is Galax has put up just as many points as the Gladiators putting up 555 points this season while Riverheads has scores 556. The Maroon Tide has also faced a tougher schedule and is indeed battle tested for those who think it will be a walk in the park for the top ranked Riverheads squad.
PREDICTION:
Neither team is invincible to the big play but the Riverheads will be on Harris and Peoples all day long so expect the unexpected from Galax on key downs. Riverheads may not be as strong on the line of scrimmage as Galax but expect to see tight end Ridge Stokes become a very key factor in the redzone. Too many big plays allowed will haunt Galax at the wrong time.
SCORE: Riverheads 24 Galax 21
