Cayden Cook-Cash carried 17 times for 282 yards and 5 touchdowns to keep the Big Red Machine rolling.
SALEM- Riverheads came into the Class 1 title game as big favorites to take care of business and capture their 7th straight state title. The Maroons had other plans and they would make their intentions known. Early however, things looked to be what many expected.
The Gladiators would waste little time getting on the board. After 2 impressive stops and 3 penalties, Luke Bryant would explode for a 47 yard touchdown run to make it 7-0 with 9:52 to go in the first. After stopping the Maroons, Cayden Cook-Cash would race down the sideline for 44 yards to extend the lead to 14-0 with 5:23 remaining.
Luke Bryant set the tone for the day by finding daylight and leaving defenders behind.
If the Maroons were asleep then the fear of getting blown out woke them. Wythe would drive the football into Riverheads territory and Tandom Smith would go in from 9 yards out to make it 14-7 Riverheads with 0:31 left in the quarter.
The 2nd quarter would be filled with several good stops. George Wythe would be trying to keep the game where it was knowing they got the ball to start the 2nd half. That wish would not be granted as Cook-Cash would go for a 38 yard touchdown run.
George Wythe would try to score again before the half but injuries made the drive stall out. So the excitement they wanted to end the half with would have to wait. The wait was worth it as Leyton Fowler would catch a perfect over the shoulder pass from Smith for a 31 yard touchdown. 21-14 Gladiators with 6:12 to play in the 3rd.
Tandom Smith threw a perfect strike due to excellent pass protection to Leyton Fowler to rally the Maroons.
Bryant and Gladiators would go into the 3rd on mission as Bryant would go for a 21 yard touchdown to not allow the Maroons to get any closer. 28-14 Big Red was in control. The defense would stuff the Maroons and the offense would then break a 32 yard touchdown run by Cook-Cash with 9:14 left in the 4th.
Someone needed to step up in order to answer to the Gladiators and give the Maroons one last shot to get back into the game. Laden Houston would answer with a 90 yard touchdown run to make it 35-21 Riverheads with 8:58 to play.
Laden Houston saw a seem and exploited it for a 90-yard kick off return.
Still George Wythe needed some luck to get the ball back with time. Riverheads would cough up the football giving Wythe the ball in Riverheads territory. The Big Red Machine defense would step up and stop the drive at their own 11 yard line.
David Austin takes away a running lane for Smith to stall a Maroon critical drive.
And if dreams for a comeback were still on the minds of the Maroon faithful, those hopes would end as Cook-Cash would break an 85 yard touchdown run to make it 42-21 with 4:23 to go. After stalling, Riverheads would run the ball up the middle to grind the clock. While pushing the pile, the offensive line would have Cook-Cash break loose to make it 49-21.
Cook-Cash turned it up another notch with a sensational 85-yard run for a touchdown.
Houston would add a late score versus the back ups. Riverheads would win this one 49-27 capturing the 7th time straight. It would be the 10th title in school history. Coach Ray Norcross group were big time closers and they took care of business once again.
Coach Ray Norcross gets his first title, adds to the 7th title streak, and the 10th for the Gladiators.
Riverheads (13-1) will have their eyes set on another title next season as they move up to Class 2.
GEORGE WYTHE 7 0 7 13 - 27
RIVERHEADS 14 7 7 21 - 49
R- Bryant 47 yard run (Brooks kick)
R- Cook-Cash 44 yard run (Brooks kick)
GW- Smith 9 yard run (Thomas Mitchell kick)
R- Cook-Cash 38 yard run (Brooks kick)
GW- Fowler 31 yard pass from Smith (Mitchell kick)
R- Bryant 21 yard run (Brooks kick)
R- Cook-Cash 32 yard run
GW- Houston 90 yard return (Mitchell kick)
R- Cook-Cash 85 yard run (Brooks kick)
R- Cook-Cash 45 yard run (Brooks kick)
GW- Houston 3 yard run (kick no good)
PHOTO GALLERY: https://photos.app.goo.gl/URZtMvZLpunxhhoJ7
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