***STATE CHAMPIONSHIP BLOG***

[Drew Goodman]

Altavista's first TD drive took almost 8 minutes, the last one took 55 seconds.

 

[Drew Goodman]

Essex will take over at their own 20 with 3:20 left in the half. 1st play results in a fumbled snap. The Trojans fall on it on the 3 yardline.

 

[Drew Goodman]

Johnson brings another Essex drive with a big time TFL. The Colonels have 2:02 to score from 37 yards out.

 

[Drew Goodman]

Interception! Thornhill is picked off by Ranaz Newbill. Essex will have it at their own 13 with 1:48 left in the half.

 

[Drew Goodman]

Essex picks up its 3rd first down of the game at their own 26. Timeout Trojans with 26 seconds left in the half.

 

[Drew Goodman]

Halftime: Altavista leads Essex 14-7. The Trojans were in business after Broaddus hit Tesahn Nelson for a 37 yard gain to the 29, but Essex could no turn it into points. Maulbeck came up with a touchdown-saving deflection on the ensuing play.

 

[Drew Goodman]

Thornhill finished the first half with 122 total yards with two touchdowns and one interception.

 

[Drew Goodman]

Sterling Hammond leads Essex with six total tackles, including a huge one for a loss deep in Trojan territory.

 

[Drew Goodman]

The team's are back out on the field, and we are moments away from start of the third quarter.

 

[Drew Goodman]

1st down Altavista at their own 26 to start the quarter

 

[Drew Goodman]

Broaddus puts the ball on the turf, and the Colonels will take over at the Essex 21.

 

[Drew Goodman]

*31

 

[Drew Goodman]

4th down and 3 Altavista at the Essex 24. Decision time for the Colonels

 

[Drew Goodman]

Hammond provides the pressure on 4th, and the Colonels will turn it over on downs. 1st down Essex at their own 29.

 

[Drew Goodman]

The Altavista line is getting a tremendous push up front. Broaddus is stonewalled on third down and the Trojans will punt.

 

[Drew Goodman]

Destin Brown opens the ensuing Altavista drive with an eight-yard gain and was a shoe-string tackle away from taking it the distance.

 

[Drew Goodman]

A terrible punt takes an Altavista bounce. The Trojans will takeover at their own 34

 

[Drew Goodman]

Gotta love technology… to recap, Malik Martin caught a 27-yard pass but took a vicious hit from Thonrhill. 2 plays later, Martin found the end zone off of an 18-yard catch-and-run for a score. 14-14 as we near the end of the 3rd quarter.

 

[Drew Goodman]

Altavista is in a bad spot, facing a third down and a country mile at their own 3.

 

[Drew Goodman]

Having all kinds of issues, but the last minute provided plenty of action… Altavista punted from its own end zone but the Trojans muffed it. The Colonels responded with a trick play, but Montague's pass was picked off by Hammond. Essex just went 3 and out and its first down Altaivsta at the Essex 43 with 8:28 to go.

 

[Drew Goodman]

Thornhill busts through the line for a 40-yard Altavista touchdown. Wow

 

[Drew Goodman]

Thornhill gets the two point conversion and wipes out the cameraman in the process. 22-14 Altavista with 7:32 left in the game.

 

[Drew Goodman]

Essex converts a big 3rd down. Trojans have it at their own 38 with 5:55 left to play.

 

[Drew Goodman]

Timeout Essex: Trojans are facing 3rd down and 3 at the 49 with 4:18 left to play.

 

[Drew Goodman]

1st down Essex at the 44 with 3:33 left to play

 

[Drew Goodman]

What. A. Play. Broaddus hits a wide-open Hammond and shakes and bakes 44 yards for a touchdown. 2 pt try coming here

 

[Drew Goodman]

Two point try is no good! Altavista leads Essex 22-20 with 3:01left to play.

 

[Drew Goodman]

Guess who recovers the onside kick for Altavista? That's right… Juan Thornhill. 1st down Altavista at the 50 with 3 minutes to play.

 

[Drew Goodman]

Thornhill takes it to the 48. Inside of two minutes to play here

 

[Drew Goodman]

Big stand for the Essex defense. The Trojans stop Altavista on 3rd and 1. Essex takes its final timeout with 45 seconds left.

 

[Drew Goodman]

Essex just jumped offsides on 4th down… ball game

 

[Drew Goodman]

Final score: Altavista 22, Essex 20. The Colonels are back-to-back state champions