The Maroon Tide turns back Parry McCluer 14-0 with strong “D”
Galax, VA. – The Maroon Tide defense tied up the Parry McCluer Fighting Blues 14-0 in the Class 1A, Region D final Saturday afternoon. TheTide offense scored but 14 points – a 10 yard TD run by Javonte Reeves and a 15-yard TD pass from QB 9 Ian Ashworth to WR 4 Ayden White both in the first half, but the Galax defense made it hold up. 
The Tide held Parry McCluer’s run game to a -5 yards, 3 first down total. Galax also forced four turnovers on the afternoon. Blues RB 40 John Snider was held to 21 yards on 11 carries. Even with the dominant defensive effort on that side of the ball, the Tide couldn’t put much distance between themselves and the visitors. Parry McCluer’s best chance for points came on a 53-yard completion from QB 19 James Painter to WR/DB 2 Jacob Wooten. It looked like Wooten would score and make it a one touchdown game, but LB 57 Riley Jo Vaught made the hustle play of the game, diving to trip up Wooten at the Tide fifteen. Galax Coach Shane Allen lauded Vaught’s hustle, “That was a big play. Riley took a good angle and hustled to bring him down, and then we were able to keep them out of the end zone.” Parry McCluer finishes the season 9-4 ending a nine game win streak. The Maroon Tide advances to take on undefeated Holston next Saturday.
First Quarter – The game started fast with two turnovers but settled down after the first few series. Parry McCluer got the message right away that Galax meant business. On the opening kickoff WR/DB 2 Jacob Wooten brought the ball back but a big hit created a fumble and LB/OL 57 Riley Jo Vaught dove on the loose ball at the Fighting Blues twenty-two. Galax returned the favor on first down when QB/DB 9 Ian Ashworth was picked off in the end zone by DB 1Tyler Royer.
Parry McCluer DB 1 Tyler Royer intercepts Galax QB 9 Ian Ashworth
Parry McCluer took over on the twenty and it was almost like we had a restart. But Galax’s defense was locked and loaded by then. A big part of the day’s story would be the Maroon Tide’s dominance on that side of the ball.
Galax defense swarms
Galax forced a ‘three and out’, forced a short punt and got the ball on the Parry McCluer side of the fifty, at the forty-seven. After a quick pass from QB 9 Ashworth to WR 18 Jaydon Byrd for eight yards. From there it was four straight RB 7 Javonte Reeves runs with the last being a 10-yard TD run. Galax led 7-0 at the 7:58 mark after K 2 Alberto Vero’s point after. That is how the quarter would end.
Maroon Tide RB 7 Javone Reeves scores the games first TD from 10-yards out
Parry McCluer LB 75 Trey Secrist brings down Galax RB 1 Tedrhun Tucker
Second Quarter – Parry McCluer’s size was impressive, especially across the line and at the linebacker posts. And the Fighting Blues used this to their advantage in keeping the Maroon Tide offense under wraps for the most part. Even though, Galax put together another drive midway through the second quarter. Starting at their own nineteen, Reeves was again the weapon of choice out of the backfield. If you haven’t seen Galax in person, they employ really a four back, rotating system, including Ashworth at QB. Sophomore RB 1 Tedruhn Tucker, and Senior RB 21 Ronny Horton also share backfield duties.
But RB 7 Reeves had that hot hand this day and Coach Allen stayed with the Senior. Five straight runs by Reeves moved the ball out near midfield. QB 9 Ashworth and RB 21 Horton stepped in from there. Alternating runs, surrounded by a late hit penalty on LB 75 Trey Secrist near the Fighting Blues sidelines. 
RB 21 Horton’s fifteen yard run to the Blues fifteen set the Maroon Tide up for their second score. Ashworth rolled right and found WR 4 Ayden White inside the five. The Sophomore fought his way into the end zone from there. K 2 Vero made it 14-0 with 1:05 left in the half with his extra point kick.
Second Half– The second half was all about defense, as both teams tightened up and kept the opposing offenses off the scoreboard. Galax started the third quarter with a promising drive, but QB 9 Ashworth was eventually picked off by LB 8 Jacob Barton at the Blues thirty-two. Parry McCluer took over and two plays later, Galax LB/OL 57 Riley Jo Vaught made possibly the play of the game. Fighting Blue’s QB 19 James Painter hit WR 2 Wooten on a pass near the left hashes twenty yards downfield and the speedster gathered it in and took off. Vaught took off from the middle of the field, picked the perfect angle and with a diving effort tripped up Wooten at the Galax fifteen, saving a sure touchdown. This would have made it a one score game, gave Parry McCluer new life, but Vaught’s hustle and determination forced the Blues to regroup at the fifteen.
LB 57 Riley Jo Vaught makes the hustle play of the game
The Maroon Tide’s defense also reset and refocused. A holding penalty on first down, a short screen pass to RB 40 Snider for only five yards, a pass breakup by DB 9 Ashworth, and the a fourth down sack by Senior DB 28 Sam Olinger ended Parry McCluer’s best scoring threat.
The rest of the contest saw K2 Vero miss a 35-yard field goal try for the Maroon Tide at the end of the third quarter, and Galax give up the ball on a fumble and two fourth down attempts that came up short. For Parry McCluer’s part, they turned the ball over three times in the second half as they tried anything they could to get back into the game. A fumble by QB 19 Painter, and WR 2 Wooten after a catch, as well as an end of the game interception foiled any chance the Fighting Blues had for a comeback.
Galax DB 5 Jackson Alderman breaks up a pass
Galax celebrates another Region Championship
Galax will now move on to play Holston away from home next Saturday at 1pm in Damascus in our of the Class 1A state semifinal games. Undefeated Holston shut out Patrick Henry-Glade Springs 24-0 to get there. – Cap’n Crunch
Offense:
Rushing –
Galax – J. Reeves 23-143, TD, R. Horton 9-39, T. Tucker 5-32, I. Ashworth 9-31, Team 1-(-5)
Parry McCluer – J. Snider 11-21, J. Bartley 1-1, J. Wooten 1-(-2), J. Painter 7-(-25)
Passing –
Galax – I. Ashworth 3/12, 26, TD, 1 INTs
Parry McCluer – 6/24, 82, INT
Receiving –
Galax – A. White 1-15, TD, J. Byrd 2-11
Parry McCluer – J. Wooten 3-73, J. Snider 2-11, J. Bartley 1-3
Returns –
Galax – I. Ashworth 4-56, R. Horton 1-21
Parry McCluer – J. Wooten 2-30, J. Bartley 1-15
Punting –
Galax – M. Cox 3/27 yd avg
Parry McCluer – J. Snider 7/36 yd avg
Scoring :
First Quarter –
• Galax – J. Reeves 10-yard TD run (7:58)
Second Quarter –
• Galax – A. White 15-yard TD pass from I. Ashworth (1:05)