We began last weekend with six “Big-11” teams still in the hunt for a football state championship.
One completed the feat for the championship rings, one fell just short against a team it had beaten in the regular season, two more dropped out of the hunt and two more will face each other this Friday night after resounding wins.
Here’s a look at how things played out and what lies ahead in what will be a marquee rematch in Vinton this Friday night.
Roanoke Catholic-38 Quantico-21
Roanoke Catholic made the long road trip to Quantico where the Celtics captured the VIS Division-III state championship, it’s second in the last three years. The Celtics took a 22-7 halftime lead on a pair of touchdown runs by Mykah English from 2 and 16 yards out, along with a 25-yard scoring run by Jemel Tyree. Catholic stayed on the ground to add two third quarter scores on a Chris Pyle 27-yard run and English’s third score of the game on a 5-yard scamper. Catholic ran the table with 10 straight wins after opening the season with a loss to private school rival North Cross.
Blue Ridge-41 North Cross-14
North Cross’ undefeated season came to an end Saturday afternoon at Thomas Field as the Raiders fell in the VIS Division-II championship game. Blue Ridge took advantage of a wind-swept afternoon that blindsided the Raider offense. North Cross had beaten Blue Ridge 42-34 in a late September regular season matchup in St. Georges. Saturday’s game was still up for grabs at halftime with Blue Ridge holding a 20-14 advantage, but the Barons added two third quarter touchdowns and an insurance score in the fourth, while the Blue Ridge defense pitched the second half shutout. The Raider touchdowns came on a wind-assisted 12-yard punt return by Jarion Jenkins-Saunders in the first quarter that gave North Cross a brief lead, and a 15-yard run by Isaac Harris in the second frame that would be the final Raider score of the day.
Salem-59 Millbrook-14
Salem won its tenth straight game as the Spartans rolled out to leads of 28-7 after one quarter and 45-7 at the halftime break. Salem used a vicious rushing attack in the win as a 38-yard touchdown run by Kionte Burnette opened the scoring, before a 1-yard scoring run by Riley Fox and 4-yard touchdown run by Burnette followed a 45-yard touchdown pass to Viante Tucker that completed the 28 point first quarter Spartan outburst,. When wide receiver Joseph Quinn hauled in a TD pass in the final second of the first half, Salem led by 38 and the rout was on. Salem now travels to William Byrd this Friday night in the 4A West Region third round.
William Byrd-55 Heritage-Leesburg-21
William Byrd advanced in the 4A West Region playoffs with the runaway win against Heritage-Leesburg in Vinton. Terrier standout running back Larry Basham scored on runs of 37, 28, 1, 89 and 25 yards in the first half that helped push Byrd to a 49-13 halftime lead. Terrier quarterback Reece Watson scored on a 35-yard keeper and Dylan Nakhle added a 4-yard scoring run in the 49-point first half onslaught. Watson closed out the Byrd scoring in the third quarter on a 53-yard touchdown pass to Josh Barker. Byrd (10-1) will now look to avenge its only loss of the season when it entertains Salem this Friday night. The Terriers lost to the Spartans in overtime during the regular season.
Heritage-Lynchburg-49 Northside-27
Northside fell behind 42-13 at halftime and it was too much to overcome as the Vikings’ season came to an end in the 3A West Region second round. Northside scored on three touchdown passes by quarterback Tra’ Jackson, including 64 and 73-yard strikes to Princeton Hall and a 32-yard toss to Brandon Decker. Dawson Lee added a Viking score on a 25-yard fumble return.
Richlands-35 Glenvar-14
Glenvar kept things close for one half, trailing the Blue Tornado 14-7 at the break, but 11-1 Richlands pulled away to win the 2A West Region second round game in far Southwest Virginia. Glenvar’s touchdowns came on a 5-yard run by Alec Thompson and a 5-yard keeper by Highlander quarterback Jacob Mullins. Glenvar finished the campaign 9-3.
Bill Turner
