Class 1A State Championship
Galax wins 7-6 over Essex with defense, special teams and a 42-yard field goal with :07 left
Spartan Stadium, Willis White Field, Salem VA – If you love a good, hard-nosed defensive game, then the 7-6 Galax over Essex Class 1A State Final on Saturday, was one you wanted to see. The Maroon Tide handed the previously undefeated Essex Trojans (14-1) their first loss this season… without scoring a touchdown. Two safeties, and a field goal was all the Maroon Tide could muster, and all they would need. Essex took the opening drive and scored an a fourth and goal at the four run by QB 12 Xavier Bundy. The all important 2-point conversion try was no good. The Trojans led 6-0.
That would be it for the rest of the half. Right before the break, Essex was awarded a timeout with one second left at the Galax twenty-one. Bundy ran the ball and was hit at the goal line by LB/RB 9 Tedruhn Tucker and ruled down a half a yard short. The score remained 6-0. The second half was more of the same, defense and more defense. After a big hit for a loss by LB/RB 9 Tucker, Essex fumbled on their next play and recovered it in their own in end zone for a safety for Galax. That made it 6-2 Essex. Galax turned the trick again when Tucker ran down Bundy from behind as he rolled out in the end zone. Now it was 6-4 with Essex still leading.
A Galax weapon that most fans don’t readily think of is the Punter. QB/P 3 Tommy Jones kept Essex pinned deep on their goal line in the second half with his leg. Both times the Maroon Tide made the Trojan’s pay by tackling them in the end zone. With :07 seconds left, Galax Freshman kicker 11 Yandel Vera, kicked a 42-yarder that hit the cross bar and bounded over…good. Vera That’s how this one would end with the Maroon Tide claiming the Class 1A title 7-6. Galax Coach Shane Allen was proud of his 14-year old, Freshman kicker, “That’s only the third FG attempt (for us) all year. He (Kicker Yandel Vera) has won two games for us with a field goal, a region championship and the state championship with a field goal.” – Graham Whitaker
