1A State Championship Game live! Riverheads vs. Galax

[Drew Goodman]

Greetings from Salem Stadium! Is is an absolutely gorgeous day for today's state title action. Riverheads and Galax will get things started in the 1A game a little after 12:00. Keep it right here for updates.

 

[Drew Goodman]

Strong showing from the Riverheads fans so far. The Gladiators are fired up to be back on the big stage.

 

[Drew Goodman]

We are less than 20 minutes away from kickoff, and the crowd is filling up nicely. You could not have asked for a better day of football here in Salem.

 

[Drew Goodman]

A loud "Maroon Tide" chant has broken out, as Galax is entering the field.

 

[Drew Goodman]

Riverheads definitely has the house today, and right now, the Gladiators have the floor. Big time ovation for undefeated Riverheads

 

[Drew Goodman]

The team captains are meeting at midfield

 

[Drew Goodman]

Galax has won the toss and has elected to defer. Riverheads will receive to start the game.

 

[Drew Goodman]

Galax boots the opening kick out of bounds. Robert Casto is not going to accept the penalty, and he will make the Tide kick it again.

 

[Drew Goodman]

Galax makes Casto pay for the decision by booting it into the end zone. First down Gladiators at the 20.

 

[Drew Goodman]

Daniel Harrison comes up with a huge sack on Garret Campbell on 3rd down. Big early defensive stance for the Maroon Tide.

 

[Drew Goodman]

Galax will begin in Riverheads territory at the 43.

 

[Drew Goodman]

Wow we already have a pass thrown! Caleb Sprulin is down to the 37. 3rd down and 4 for the Tide

 

[Drew Goodman]

4th and 2 coming up for the Tide.

 

[Drew Goodman]

Charles Harris gains four yards on 4th down. Fresh set of downs coming for the Tide.

 

[Drew Goodman]

Harris does it again… This time for a gain of 20 yards. First down Galax at the 11.

 

[Drew Goodman]

3rd and 1 at the two yard line coming up for the Tide.

 

[Drew Goodman]

Touchdown Galax! Harris takes it in from two yards out to put the Tide on the board.

 

[Drew Goodman]

XP is good and Galax takes a 7-0 lead with 6:31 left in the third quarter.

 

[Drew Goodman]

Eight-play drive by Galax, seven plays taking place on the ground.

 

[Drew Goodman]

The Tide kick it in the end zone once again. First down Riverheads at the 20.

 

[Drew Goodman]

Back-to-back losses for the Gladiators. Spurlin is making Riverheads earn everything.

 

[Drew Goodman]

Well that was nifty. Colt Miller takes it 24 yards for a Riverheads first down on 3rd and long.

 

[Drew Goodman]

Galax stonewalls the Gladiators on 3rd and 5. The Gladiators will punt it again.

 

[Drew Goodman]

Galax will take over at the 32. Jordan Peoples was WIDE open, but the pass just sailed over his head.

 

[Drew Goodman]

Carson Orton mishandles the handoff, but he gets it back. Loss of four for the Tide.

 

[Drew Goodman]

Dougie Peoples gets a chunk of the yardage back, but not enough to move the chains. Galax will punt it.

 

[Drew Goodman]

Beautiful 46-yard punt by the Tide. Riverheads will take over at their own 19.

 

[Drew Goodman]

Landon Diehl with a three-yard carry on 3rd down. Nice job by the Galax defense from preventing him from sealing the edge.

 

[Drew Goodman]

After a 20-minute first quarter, Galax leads Riverheads 7-0.

 

[Drew Goodman]

Two, count them, two passes thrown already. That's two more than I thought we would see so far.

 

[Drew Goodman]

Riverheads will punt it once again. Galax takes over at their own 45 yard line.

 

[Drew Goodman]

Raise your hand if you thought Riverheads would punt the ball on its first three possessions. Put your hands down.

 

[Drew Goodman]

Beautiful fake by Orton. The junior QB takes it 15 yards into Riverheads territory.

 

[Drew Goodman]

Dougie Peoples breaks a 15-yard run all the way to the Riverheads 18. First down Galax.

 

[Drew Goodman]

3rd down and 20 coming up for Galax after a couple of costly penalties.

 

[Drew Goodman]

Noah Hutchens lets one slip through his fingertips. 4th down Galax.

 

[Drew Goodman]

Garrett Shultz drops Orton for a five-yard loss on 4th down. Riverheads will take over at their own 33.

 

[Drew Goodman]

Nothing doing for Garrett Campbell on 3rd down. Riverheads will punt the ball once again.

 

[Drew Goodman]

Coming into today, Riverheads had only punted the ball 7 times all year. They just punted the ball for the 4th time in the 1st half

 

[Drew Goodman]

Galax will take over at their own 10