The VHSL Class 4 State Championship will be played at 4:30pm on Saturday December 14, 2019 between the Tuscarora Huskies of Leesburg, VA and the Lake Taylor Titans of Norfolk, VA. The Titans are led by head coach Hank Sawyer, and the Huskies are led by head coach Brandon Wheelbarger. The Titans of Lake Taylor are coming off of a close 36-35 win over the Patriots of PH Ashland last week, and the Huskies of Tuscarora are coming off of a 36-20 victory over the perennial power southwest Virginia program, the Salem Spartans. Last week, the Huskies of Tuscarora had a very impressive performance beating the Salem Spartans 36-20 at Salem Stadium. Senior quarterback #1 Ethan Gick did not throw the ball much, as he only threw the ball a few times in the game. Quarterback Gick is known for using his arm but last Saturday it was the ground game of Sophomore running back #22 Bryce Duke that really hurt the Spartans. Duke had multiple touchdown runs but none was better than his 69 yard gallop to the endzone in the second half. Junior Wideout #2 Ryan Upp was quiet for the most part in this contest, however Senior Wideout #3 Jevonn Gilyard had one touchdown pass from senior quarterback Ethan Gick. The Huskie defense surely made their presence felt as well. The Huskies have a nasty defense that is led by Senior #59 Noah Gick, and Junior #56 Matei Fitz. Fitz made a living in the backfield last Saturday, shutting down the Salem run attack. It almost felt like Fitz knew what play the Spartans were running before the ball was even snapped. Noah Gick also had a big day, by recording a few sacks on the afternoon. I look for Fitz and Gick to have a big impact tommorow, which will be needed when facing a team like the Lake Taylor Titans who love running the ball. The Titans counter with a veer offense attack, and love to let Malik Newton tote the rock and do his thing. If junior defensive lineman Matei Fitz and Noah Gick can get off their blocks well and find their way in the backfield, it will eventually force the Lake Taylor offense to abandon their run game and do something they aren’t as familiar with doing which is throwing the ball. If there is one spot in the Tuscarora defense that opposing teams can find success, it is the secondary. Last week Junior quarterback #5 Hunter Chaney of the Salem Spartans had some success through the air by finding Junior WR #2 Shawn Collins on a early touchdown pass in the first half. However, for the most part the Tuscarora secondary was able to shutdown the Salem air attack. If the Titans and Malik Newton cannot establish the running attack, it could be a long night for the Titans of Lake Taylor. Last week in Norfolk, VA, the Lake Taylor Titans found themselves in a dog fight all day long with the PH Ashland Patriots of Ashland, VA. This game was close at halftime, however in the third quarter the Titans of Lake Taylor started to pull away. After the Patriots started to see the game slip away they made a furious comeback and made some key plays threw the air and by running the ball to cause the Titans to be on their heels. In the end, the Titans were able to hold off the Patriots and seal the 36-35 win. The Titans will need to tighten up their defense tommorow because if not the Huskies Sophomore running back Bryce Duke could have a big day on the ground. Lake Taylor coach Hank Sawyer is no stranger to Liberty University and the State Championship game. In 2014 the Titans knocked off the Salem Spartans at Liberty University 41-16, and in 2015 the Titans fell to the Salem Spartans in double overtime 17-14. After a few years away from the state championship game, the Titans found themselves back in it in 2018. However, they did not come up with the victory, losing to the Woodgrove Wolverines of Purcellville, VA, 38-33. After a tough loss last year to Woodgrove, Hank Sawyer made a goal to get back to the State Championship in 2019 and here they are. I think Hank Sawyer will have his Lake Taylor Titans ready for this game, however I believe that Bryce Duke and the Huskie offense will be too much in the end. My prediction: Tuscarora 27-Lake Taylor 20.
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