Greenville is Title Town! Riverheads wins a record 5th straight championship and more are very likely!
For nearly over a quarter Saturday's Class 1 championship appeared to be going exactly how many expected. Blow for blow and the defenses getting it done more often than not was how they game looked to be heading. As we mentioned in the preview, the flood gates would open up. Unfortunately for Galax, the dam broke and it was too much damage done for the Maroon Tide to ever recover from the air and ground combinations they would get hit with.
Galax would be able to convert on Cole Pickett's jump pass but was still able to enjoy an early lead with a 24 yard field goal from Javier Gallardo at the 5:47 mark. Soon after Riverheads would get a 57 yard run by Zac Smiley that would set up the field goal to tie things up with Robson from 26 yards out with 1:43 to play in the 1st. Both teams were failing to get consistency from their rushing attack to sustain many drive but Riverheads would dazzle the fans quickly with Bennett Dunlap going up top to Landon Lightner for a 72 yard touchdown pass connection that would give Riverheads a 10-3 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The Maroon Tide would answer back with Pickett throwing a perfect pass to Nik Sawyers for a 49 yard touchdown connection. The extra point would be blocked by Cayden Cook-Cash making it 10-9 Gladiators. For the next 3 years many in Class 1 will hear Cook-Cash as much as they used to hear Smiley. Cook-Cash gave folks a preview of what will be the norm this fall. He would field the kick return at his own 4 and then go into a whole different gear and race down the home sideline for the touchdown to make it 16-9 Riverheads.
This would be the wrong time for the Maroon Tide to lose their offensive production. Riverheads would finally get a rushing touchdown as Trey burton would explode into the endzone from 24 yards out to make it 23-9. After more offensive woes from Galax, Dunlap would go to Lightner again. This time they connected from 42 yards out to make it 30-9 Gladiators.
Being down 21 Galax knew they had to react quickly and they would march down the field and Keaton Beeman would score from a yard out to make it 30-15 and the Maroon Tide knew they would be a defensive stand from getting right back into the contest. That rally cry for a stop just couldn't be heard as Dunlap with connect with Roberts for an 18 yard touchdown pass extending the lead to 37-15. Galax would threaten to score but Pickett would be intercepted in the endzone by Isaiah Dunlap with 0:56 seconds left to play in the 1st half.
Back in the day that little bit of time would not be enough for a team that is known for a grind it out style Riverheads use to have. Now the champion Gladiators are very much of a quick strike team. Galax witnessed that first hand as the time before the half of just enough time for Cook-Cash to blaze down the sideline again. This time from 59 yards out giving Riverheads a 44-15 halftime lead.
Starting the 2nd half fired up, Galax marched down the field determined to get back into the game. Pickett would throw a bullet into the endzone and Beeman would make a terrific catch to make it 44-22 with 7:24 to play in the 3rd. Any dreams of a comeback would be dashed by good runs from Smiley and Cook-Cash would set up Cook-Cash going in for 11 yards out and destroying a sideline table as he rushed into the corner. 51-22 Riverheads at that point.
The Maroon Tide answered back with a Pickett hitting Beeman for their final score of the day making it 51-29. In the fourth, Aiden Miller would add an 8 yard touchdown run and Burton would go in from 2 yards out to make it 65-29 Riverheads.
Smiley finished with 13 carries and 121 yards followed by Cook-Cash with 8 carries for 99 yards and 3 total touchdowns leading Riverheads ground attack with had 355 yards rushing total. Pickett led Galax rushing with 38 yards on 8 carries.
Virginia Tech bound Pickett went 24 of 43 for 313 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Dunlap was perfect going 3 of 3 for 132 and 3 touchdown passes.
Robert Casto locked in a sure Hall of Fame status with Saturdays record title. He has accumulated 8 titles total for the school.
Coach Robert Casto put an exclamation mark after going in history as the first Virginia high school to win his 5th straight state championship. The future hall of fame coach has achieved dominance and greatness by leading a team that is the model of sportsmanship, respect, and hardwork. Such a feat could not have happened to more of a deserving coach and program. Congratulations to the 2020-21 Class 1 State Champions, Riverheads Gladiators.
GALAX 3 12 14 0 - 29
RIVERHEADS 10 34 7 14 - 65
G – Gallardo 24 FG
R – Robson 26 FG
R – Lightner 72 pass from Dunlap (Robson kick)
G – Sawyers 49 pass from Pickett (kick failed)
R – Cook-Cash 96 kickoff return (kick failed
R – Burton 24 run (Robson kick)
R – Lightner 42 pass from Dunlap (Robson kick)
G – Beeman 1 run (kick failed)
R – Roberts 18 pass from Dunlap (Robson kick)
R – Cook-Cash 59 run (Robson kick)
G – Beeman 17 pass from Pickett (Gallardo kick)
R – Cook-Cash 11 run (Robson kick)
G – Beeman 16 pass from Pickett (Gallardo kick)
R – Miller 8 run (Robson kick)
R – Burton 2 run (Robson kick)
FALL 2021, 6 IN A ROW?
Everyone wants to know when will the Red Machine get stopped? Their winning streak maybe tested by a district opponent and the closest regional opponent will likely be Central Lunenburg which is still not on par. The teams who set out will are highly unlikely to be contenders as they will have several young players with no experience and Seniors that have played since the sophomore years and will now be asked to lead. A 90-day break will not make the Gladiators vulnerable to anyone. Expect the title streak to continue as Riverheads will need 10 more to tie Washington High School in Sioux Falls, SD for the longest national streak.
