Charles Harris powerful runs for Galax was just enough to bring home a title!
SALEM- A true underdog in today’s match up, Galax came out exerting their strength by stuffing the Riverheads rushing attack. The Gladiators hadn’t endured this much resistance since their encounter with Buffalo Gap. The Maroon Tide would capitalize early off their successful defensive play by muscling down the field midway through the 1st quarter, converted a key 4th and 2, and concluded with a 2-yard touchdown run by standout rusher Charles Harris to make it 7-0 with 6:31 to play in the quarter.
Riverheads defense would bend but not break the remainder of the 1st half. Harris and Dougie Peoples came close to breaking away but Riverheads speed allowed for some recovery on several plays. Galax offensive line completely dominated the Riverheads defensive line and had to have Coach Robert Casto feeling fortunate to only be down a score at halftime. The intermission provide the Gladiators a chance to regroup to counter in this fast moving contest as there was little stoppage of the clock with the two run oriented squads.
In the second half, the Gladiators would force the Maroon Tide to go 3 and out and looked to remedy their offensive woes. They would get challenged with a 3rd and 2 but would get shut down immediately due to the strong penetration of the Tide. Nerves of many fans were getting to them as Galax fans were itching for the Tide to get rolling and the Red Storm were looking for a score to nod things up.
Coach Mark Dixon would not try to reinvent the wheel but would feed the workhorse to graze on the Riverheads defense. After pounding down inside the 5-yard line with Galax facing a 4th and 1 from the Riverheads 4-yard line. Charles Orton on a qb sneak would come up short with 1:19 left in the 3rd quarter.
Riverheads would then realize they dodged a bullet. Garrett Campbell would have a key play where he made a defender miss in the endzone and avoided the safety. Campbell wasn’t done though. He would weave and dodge defenders and run to the 20-yard line. Coach Casto and company needed something to work as he called Colt Miller on a inside trap that would get to the Galax 23-yard line on a 56 yard run. As it appeared to be now or never as Riverheads faced a 4th and 1 from the Galax 13 and the Gladiators converted with 8:36 on the clock.
Then from the 3 facing another 4th and 1 from the 3 and ½ yard line. Riverheads would get stuffed on the short inside toss with 6:45 left to play. Galax would be looking to milk the clock as Harris burst open through the middle as Riverheads would be focus on trying to make a defensive play. They would get it as Orton would run the qb bootleg and while he attempted to get more would fumble to give Riverheads another chance of getting the ball into the endzone with less than 4 minutes left to play but Riverheads would fail to move the football on their next 4 downs.
Riverheads would stop Harris to force Coach Dixon and company to punt from the Gladiator 46-yard line with 1:23 left. Riverheads would throw and get to the pass completed down to the Galax 6-yard line. Facing a 3rd down with no timeouts, Riverheads fumbled. After lining up quickly Campbell would roll to his right and find Taz Miller for the touchdown!
Facing the big question of going to overtime or the win, Coach Casto chose to go for the win. It seemed like the thing to do after completing 3 straight passes. With Galax looking rattled Campbell rolled out to the right like on the touchdown pass but Galax defense forced a high pass that would sail out of bounds. Galax would be crowned the 2015 1A State Champions!
Harris finished with 28 carries for 182 yards and touchdown to lead the Maroon Tide. Colt Miller led the Gladiators in rushing with 5 carries for 85 yards.
Such an amazing turn around and a lesson to everyone else that you can turn things around and improve to end the season like this. From 1-4 early in the season to celebrating their first state championship in football isn’t a dream for Galax. This one is for real! Galax finishes 11-4 for the season. Riverheads 13-1 for the season.
GALAX 7 0 0 0 - 7
RIVERHEADS 0 0 0 6 - 6
G- Harris 2 yard run(Elijah Harrison)
R- Campbell 8 yard pass to Miller (pass failed)
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