Biggest upsets in state championship game

[numb3rs]

What are some of the biggest upsets you can recall in the state championship game? Obviously, if a team makes it all the way there, it may not be the biggest upset for them to win. Still, there have been some unexpected results.

The most personally upsetting for me is Spotsylvania beating Salem in 1991 at Salem Stadium. The Knights were 12-1 but it just seemed impossible that 13-0 Salem team could lose a game, especially at home. The Spartans fell behind 17-0 early and battled back but couldn't complete the comeback, losing 31-27.

Spotsylvania pulled off a bigger upset in 1994 when the 10-3 Knights easily defeated a similarly invincible looking 13-0 Amherst by the score of 26-0.

 

[bceagle47]

Tim Coleman did some great things at Spotsy.

 

[edwinanderson2nd]

I was kind of young when it happened but apparently LC Bird beating Ocean Lakes was seen as a big upset in 2012

 

[otnorot]

OAKTON HUMBLES LANDSTOWN

Oakton and star running back Keith Payne end Landstown’s 27-game win streak in the Division 6 championship game. For one of the few times in the stratospheric football career of Landstown Hig…

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[86CulpGrad]

Not for the title, but the semi-final where Culpeper beat Hampton in '99 was viewed as a huge upset. in reality I don't think it was. Culpeper was really good...especially on defense. Hampton was going for 5 titles in a row.

 

[1MoreHokie]

Blacksburg over Staunton River in 2016 is way up there. Blacksburg finished the regular season at a ridiculous 5-5 and somehow squeaked into the playoffs still. SR finished 9-1, their only loss coming at the hands of William Byrd who themselves only lost to a single team (albeit twice) in the future C4 champs Salem. SR was pounding their opponents, especially in the playoffs, thanks to the future state record holder in rushing named Grayson Overstreet while Blacksburg was squeaking by Heritage by 7 and Phoebus by 12 behind their own talented back in Cole Beck.

I mean, the state title winner went 10-5 and beat their 13-1 opponent, I'd without question call that an enormous upset. And no, they didn't play a murderer's row either. 3 of the 5 teams that beat them finished their season in 11 games, a 4th finish in 12 games and only Salem went deep, winning state.

The only other time a team has lost 5 games and won state to my knowledge is the 1989 Appalachia squad (also 5-5 during regular season) but the playoffs were a bit shorter so they finished 9-5 to claim state but their opponent in Madison County went 10-4 and weren't quite as invincible-looking as SR was in 2016.

 

[Virginia HS Football Fan]

Blacksburg over Courtland 19-6 in 1989. Courtland was steamrolling everyone coming in. Blacksburg made the trip up to Spotsylvania County that day and were the more physical team from the start and shocked Courtland for the title. Everyone supporting the home side left stunned.

Not only did the Indians (as I still call them) outplay the Cougars, they also shut down and shut up an overly arrogant and cocky Courtland Quarterback in Brek Hall who also did his part in costing the Cougars what would have been their fifth state title in eight seasons (which would have been pretty awesome for a school less than 10 years old at the time).

 

[BoKnowsSports]

I don’t think it was much of an upset but that Salem over Lake Taylor game in 2015. How many people gave LT the title that year? Probably the best state championship game I’ve seen along with James Monroe/Brookeville in 08, Salem/Louisa in 2017 and Christiansburg/Briar Woods in 2011.

 

[Phoebus Fan]

Not for the title, but the semi-final where Culpeper beat Hampton in '99 was viewed as a huge upset. in reality I don't think it was. Culpeper was really good...especially on defense. Hampton was going for 5 titles in a row.

This is the one right here. To this day I still I remember the shock after Hampton lost that game.

 

[General172011]

I was kind of young when it happened but apparently LC Bird beating Ocean Lakes was seen a big upset in 2012

Helped Bedwell finally break the wall down

 

[numb3rs]

Blacksburg over Courtland 19-6 in 1989. Courtland was steamrolling everyone coming in. Blacksburg made the trip up to Spotsylvania County that day and were the more physical team from the start and shocked Courtland for the title. Everyone supporting the home side left stunned.

Not only did the Indians (as I still call them) outplay the Cougars, they also shut down and shut up an overly arrogant and cocky Courtland Quarterback in Brek Hall who also did his part in costing the Cougars what would have been their fifth state title in eight seasons (which would have been pretty awesome for a school less than 10 years old at the time).

That Blacksburg team had defeated a 12-0 Salem team the previous week 26-14. I think that Blacksburg team had 3 or 4 losses in the regular season.

QB Stephen Magenbauer had led the Spartans to their first 10-0 regular season before his season and playing career came to a premature end in the first playoff game. Salem eked out a win over Brookville the following week but clearly won't the same team offensively.

Salem narrowly beat Blacksburg earlier in 1989 but the Indians were the more physical team this time around. Their star player Jerome Trussell dominated on offense and defense. I think that Salem's backup QB, leading RB, and leading WR were knocked out of the game either being tackled by him or trying to tackle him on defense.

Salem's third string QB and backup RB led a couple of drives in the fourth quarter which stalled when the coaches inexplicably switched to passing in the red zone.

 

[CRF4Dan]

I was kind of young when it happened but apparently LC Bird beating Ocean Lakes was seen a big upset in 2012

I think it was seen as a big upset as LC Bird had a history of not delivering on the big stage. Fell to Halifax in 1991 and state semifinal losses in 1994, 2003-2005. At the time too the Central Region did not have the level of success we have had over the last decade.

 

[DinwiddieProud]

Great thread. I don’t have anything to add, but it’s really very interesting info.

 

[D4ball]

Blacksburg over Staunton River in 2016 is way up there. Blacksburg finished the regular season at a ridiculous 5-5 and somehow squeaked into the playoffs still. SR finished 9-1, their only loss coming at the hands of William Byrd who themselves only lost to a single team (albeit twice) in the future C4 champs Salem. SR was pounding their opponents, especially in the playoffs, thanks to the future state record holder in rushing named Grayson Overstreet while Blacksburg was squeaking by Heritage by 7 and Phoebus by 12 behind their own talented back in Cole Beck.

I mean, the state title winner went 10-5 and beat their 13-1 opponent, I'd without question call that an enormous upset. And no, they didn't play a murderer's row either. 3 of the 5 teams that beat them finished their season in 11 games, a 4th finish in 12 games and only Salem went deep, winning state.

The only other time a team has lost 5 games and won state to my knowledge is the 1989 Appalachia squad (also 5-5 during regular season) but the playoffs were a bit shorter so they finished 9-5 to claim state but their opponent in Madison County went 10-4 and weren't quite as invincible-looking as SR was in 2016.

1988 Jonesville squad under John Cooke finished 5-5 and went on to win 4 playoff games and the state A title. They beat an undefeated (13-0) Strasburg team for the state championship that year. The school would then close it's doors forever that year. Amazing story.

 

[SFUWO]

Blacksburg over Staunton River in 2016 is way up there. Blacksburg finished the regular season at a ridiculous 5-5 and somehow squeaked into the playoffs still. SR finished 9-1, their only loss coming at the hands of William Byrd who themselves only lost to a single team (albeit twice) in the future C4 champs Salem. SR was pounding their opponents, especially in the playoffs, thanks to the future state record holder in rushing named Grayson Overstreet while Blacksburg was squeaking by Heritage by 7 and Phoebus by 12 behind their own talented back in Cole Beck.

I mean, the state title winner went 10-5 and beat their 13-1 opponent, I'd without question call that an enormous upset. And no, they didn't play a murderer's row either. 3 of the 5 teams that beat them finished their season in 11 games, a 4th finish in 12 games and only Salem went deep, winning state.

The only other time a team has lost 5 games and won state to my knowledge is the 1989 Appalachia squad (also 5-5 during regular season) but the playoffs were a bit shorter so they finished 9-5 to claim state but their opponent in Madison County went 10-4 and weren't quite as invincible-looking as SR was in 2016.

Don't let the 5 L's fool you. Blacksburg was not punting and I is kicking inside kicks for the better part of the season. It backfired, started 2-4. Went 8-1 after 57-21 loss to Salem

 

[Kenneth Harris]

I don’t think it was much of an upset but that Salem over Lake Taylor game in 2015. How many people gave LT the title that year? Probably the best state championship game I’ve seen along with James Monroe/Brookeville in 08, Salem/Louisa in 2017 and Christiansburg/Briar Woods in 2011.

Many VaPreps posters had LT winning before kick off. I was and am still an idiot 4 year old for insinuating that Salem was the real favorite going into that game. 🤪 Goofy me.

 

[CrushBlock]

Many VaPreps posters had LT winning before kick off. I was and am still an idiot 4 year old for insinuating that Salem was the real favorite going into that game. 🤪 Goofy me.

I remember you putting respect on Salem Vs Phoebus. Another game people had Salem losing big time.

Salem Still lost though, and an L is an L, but the way people on this site were talking before the game, you’d think Salem was playing the Kansas City Chiefs.

People don’t understand the power of a small offensive playbook and sound defense.

 

[Virginia HS Football Fan]

1988 Jonesville squad under John Cooke finished 5-5 and went on to win 4 playoff games and the state A title. They beat an undefeated (13-0) Strasburg team for the state championship that year. The school would then close it's doors forever that year. Amazing story.

Now that sounds magical right there. I've seen some old clips of state title games involving teams from Southwest Virginia. And those games from the 1980s looked really special to be at.

 

[Kenneth Harris]

👍🏽I remember you putting respect on Salem Vs Phoebus. Another game people had Salem losing big time.

There is a reason they play the game. You don't get 10 championships at Salem by being a horrible program.

 

[numb3rs]

For a related question, how about the most shocking regular season loss by a state champion team?

Ideally, it'd be a 1 or 2 loss state champion team having an inexplicable loss to a team with a losing record, not a team with 3-5 regular season losses that caught fire in the playoffs.

I can't think of any offhand.

 

[CrushBlock]

For a related question, how about the most shocking regular season loss by a state champion team?

Ideally, it'd be a 1 or 2 loss state champion team having an inexplicable loss to a team with a losing record, not a team with 3-5 regular season losses that caught fire in the playoffs.

I can't think of any offhand.

Salem 04 loss to CBurg

Salem 17 loss to BBurg (not that BBurg wasn’t good but salem got stomped in the regular season)

 

[numb3rs]

Salem 04 loss to CBurg

Salem 17 loss to BBurg (not that BBurg wasn’t good but salem got stomped in the regular season)

I thought of those two games. The '04 loss to Christiansburg was shocking because Salem lost a 35-14 lead, but Christiansburg was very good that year finishing 9-3 with a 49-42 loss to 14-0 Gretna in the playoffs. The '17 regular season loss to Blacksburg was shocking because it was a 49-12 blowout, but the Bruins finished 11-2. So, neither was a case of a state champion losing to a team with a losing record.

 

[edwinanderson2nd]

For a related question, how about the most shocking regular season loss by a state champion team?

Ideally, it'd be a 1 or 2 loss state champion team having an inexplicable loss to a team with a losing record, not a team with 3-5 regular season losses that caught fire in the playoffs.

I can't think of any offhand.

Highland Springs losing to Meadowbrook in ‘16

 

[VHSL-helper]

1988 Jonesville squad under John Cooke finished 5-5 and went on to win 4 playoff games and the state A title. They beat an undefeated (13-0) Strasburg team for the state championship that year. The school would then close it's doors forever that year. Amazing story.

Should add that they won the Reg. D title by avenging two of their 5 losses.
AND only scored 50 in the postseason.
I wonder if any other state champ averaged under 13.

 

[CrushBlock]

Did ‘00Salem play down in the regular season or “catch fire” in the playoffs

 

[numb3rs]

Highland Springs losing to Meadowbrook in ‘16

That certainly fits the bill. Highland Springs finished 14-1 and Meadowbrook 3-6 per MaxPreps. Do you know how it happened?

 

[numb3rs]

Did ‘00Salem play down in the regular season or “catch fire” in the playoffs

I think some of both. Here's how Spartan of Yore described them:

The lowest-ranked of Salem's state championship teams. This team lost four regular season games (one loss was later reversed by a Cave Spring forfeit), and generally looked bad doing it. The '00 team was average at best on offense, but after some late-season repositioning of players, developed an impenetrable defense. The squad thoroughly dominated Magna Vista in the mud at Ridgeway in the state semis, then beat a revenge-minded Park View for the second straight year in the state title game.

Salem had lost a ton of talent from the 1998 and 1999 undefeated state champion teams, and I also think they dealt with injuries early in the season. They lost to Pulaski, Northside, Lord Botetourt, and Cave Spring.

Luckily, for the Spartans, D4 was down that year. They avenged their losses to Northside and Lord Botetourt in the regional playoffs before routing Magna Vista in the state semifinals. Park View was good, but far from the juggernaut they had been in 1999.

I honestly felt bad for LB. 2000 was the first and only time they've beaten Salem and their reward is to face them again in the playoffs.

 

[edwinanderson2nd]

That certainly fits the bill. Highland Springs finished 14-1 and Meadowbrook 3-6 per MaxPreps. Do you know how it happened?

Starting QB got hurt at the end of the 1st, Springs didn’t really have a true back up QB. Tried to use a wr at QB and then tried to play the starting JV Qb but the offense still was a working progress at the beginning of the season even with the starting QB. Eventually ended up losing on a missed FG at the end of the game.

 

[edwinanderson2nd]

Meadowbrook was in a weird spot at that time cause they clearly had talent but were just a consistent 5-5/4-6 team with how tough their district was

 

[D4ball]

Should add that they won the Reg. D title by avenging two of their 5 losses.
AND only scored 50 in the postseason.
I wonder if any other state champ averaged under 13.

Great point. I'm not positive, but I think they won a playoff game and maybe the state title game by scores of 7-6 or 7-0. A pretty legendary post season ride of grit.

 

[D4ball]

Now that sounds magical right there. I've seen some old clips of state title games involving teams from Southwest Virginia. And those games from the 1980s looked really special to be at.

I wasn't there in 1988 at Jonesville. But I knew John Cooke later in the 1990s when he coached at Roanoke Catholic. Fascinating story. Born and raised in VA Beach. Started the football program at Green Run HS in the 70s. Also had a few more stops at VA Beach schools before ending up in Jonesville on the other end of the state. Coached there for a few years before winning the state title in 1988 in the last year of Jonesville HS's existence. It was the only state championship Jonesville had ever won in any sport. Cooke applied for the HC job at the newly created/consolidated HS in the county....and DIDN'T get the job. He would resurface a few years later as Head Coach at Roanoke Catholic in 1992. And just two years later in 1994, he would win the first football state championship (and first championship of any kind) at Catholic. When he took over at RCS, the team had gone 0-20 the previous 2 years, and just two years later they went 12-0. Wild. At that time, he was believed to be the only head coach in Virginia history that had ever won a state football championship at both public/private schools. He retired from coaching in the early 2000s. Passed away several years ago. Great guy and really neat coaching career.