Galax Damian Heath gets aided by teammates to bring down Xzayviia Bundy late in the 2nd half.
SALEM- Never underestimate the determination and will of an opponent. Never think the impossible can happen when there is always an option available. Saturday evening's contest would showcase how every opportunity cannot be taken for granted and each team would make the best of theirs whenever it could.
Essex came out immediately showing what their strong rushing attack could do moving the ball down the field. It was only when they got in the red zone the Maroon Tide defense began to tighten. Coach Todd Jones' squad would not be denied facing a 4th and goal, Xzayviia Bundy would power just over the goal line to make it 6-0. On the conversion however which would prove to be crucial, the Tide rose to the occasion, stuffing the Trojans and keeping it a single touchdown lead.
Galax would try to respond as Tedruhn Tucker would have some of his best runs moving the Maroon Tide near midfield. A bad exchange would lead to a fumble and Essex grabbing the momentum. The Trojans however could not capitalize off the blunder as both teams rushing attacks ran the clock but neither were consistent enough to be a scoring threat making it 6-0 at the half.
Things would take a turn late in the 3rd when Tommy Jones would hit a solid punt which looked to be heading into the endzone. Somehow however the ball got to the one yard line and took and hard right out of bounds. The Galax faithful got to their feet and as they called on their defense to make a play after looking great earlier in the quarter. Avari Walker would take a direct snap but couldn't grip the ball. I would fall to the ground and Essex would recover in the endzone giving up the safety making it 6-2 Trojans with 2:32 to play in the 3rd.
After Galax couldn't move the ball on offense, they would get another punt deep. This one would be fielded but Bryan Roane would lose his footing and Essex would start around their own 10. With the running game looking bleak at the time, the Trojans would look to go to the air. Bundy would drop back looking for an open man and the Sophomore would get surprised and sacked about 2 yards in the endzone. A second safety within 3 minutes making it 6-4 Trojans with 11:56 to play in the game.
Essex Avari Walker earned every yard versus the Maroon Tide defense.
Walker would find positive yards as the Trojans looked to have found something to try to seal the deal. On 3rd and 4 Walker would be stopped just short of the first down making it a crucial 4th and 1. Essex looked to be ready to move the chains but a false start penalty would make it 4th and 6 inside their own territory and the Trojans would be forced to punt. The opportunity missed by one would soon be an opportunity capitalized by another.
Damian Heath would get a good return to the Essex 47 yard line with 2:31 to play. The Maroon Tide had lived in the area but was never able to get the ball into field goal range. This time would be different. Tucker would begin to slice through the Trojan front for 4-5 yard gains. Coach Shane Allen would eventually get within the 30 yard line and would take a shot to the endzone which had the Essex crowd gasping and the pass was just overthrown for the touchdown.
During halftime kicker Yandel Vera wowed the crowd, easily kicking from 40 yards out with plenty of room. This however was done without pressure. Coach Allen would run the clock down giving little time for a response for the Trojans. Vera would be attempting a 42 yard field goal. Vera didn't hit this like and did the ones in his warm ups. The kick was looking like it was going to fall short but the football bounced just right on the crossbar and bounced right over! 7-6 Maroon Tide had the lead with 12 seconds remaining.
After a kick return the Trojans had 7 seconds remaining and Bundy would get a solid run but a gang of defenders would end the hopes of a response earning Galax (11-4) the Class 1 Football Championship over Essex (14-1).
GALAX 0 0 2 5 - 7
ESSEX 6 0 0 0 - 6
E- Bundy 4 yard run (run failed)
G- SAFETY, Essex recovered fumble in the endzone
G- SAFETY, Qb sacked in the endzone
G- 42 yard field goal by Vera
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