Welcome to the 3A State Final blog featuring Staunton River at 13-1 who comes into this contest seeking their first state title in the history of the program.
They have scored no less than 55 points in all of their playoff games thus far this season
Their only loss this season came to William Byrd on Sept. 30th when they fell 6-26. That is the only time they have been kept to less than 42 points this season.
Blacksburg is their opponent with a mark of 9-5. Despite 4 losses this team is riding a 5 game winning streak beating the likes of Lord Botetourt and Phoebus in the playoffs.
Blacksburg is 2-2 in State Final games, last win came in 1989 against Courtland. Their other championship came in 1977 against Southampton. Blacksburg has never allowed more than 28 points in a state final game and has not score more than 19 in any of their state final games.
While I imagine most fans from the two schools are here today, if you have a prediction for the 3A final, let's hear it. You have 17 minutes to get it in.
Grant Johnston on third down gets caught behind tripping/sliding and now Bruins face 4th & 21 where they will go for it and Tiquest Terry just could not bring it in despite having it in his hands. Staunton River gets their first look on offense.
Kalip Jones scores the first touchdown of the 2016 3A Final for Staunton River! Golden Eagles take 8-0 lead with an Overstreet two-point conversion! With 5:12 to go in the first quarter.
Big 31-yard touchdown pass from Johnston to Thomas Coffey gives the Bruins their first score of the day. They elect for the PAT rather than the two-point and trail 8-7 with 2:37 to go in the first quarter.
Tiquest Terry with an excellent return running through defenders, bouncing off of defenders and the Gold Eagles will start their second possession from their own 38.
Golden Eagles with a huge run after a penalty stunted their progress but a flag flies yet again and Staunton River is called for holding again. Staunton River penalties hurting in this first quarter.
Hurried pass falls incomplete and just like that Staunton River will get the ball back with what should be great field position but the ball takes a roll and Staunton River will start from their own 35.
Staunton River faces 4th & 1 with the ball on the 44, 8:01 to go in the second quarter. Blacksburg has impressed me with their ability to keep Staunton River from having the level of success on offense they have thus season but can they keep it up?
Three yard touchdown pass to TJ Tester with 9 seconds to go extends the Staunton River lead. Should go into halftime with a 14-7 lead after Overstreet is unable to get the two-point this time.
Jordan Thompson keeps Jordan Shockley from breaking off a huge return which might have gone to the endzone. As it stands we go into halftime with Staunton River leading 14-7.
Staunton River leads 14-7 at half. Blacksburg has played Staunton River tough in the first half. Surprised by the low scoring affair on the part of Staunton River thus far. Will be interesting to see how the two come out in the third quarter.
Can Blacksburg continue to hang with Staunton River or will the Golden Eagles get it going in the second half?