Class 2A State Championships
Radford stays unbeaten with big 39-21 win over perennial power Riverheads for the State Title
Spartan Stadium, Willis White Field, Salem VA – For the first time since 1972, the Bobcats are state champs. With the entire Radford community rallying behind them, including a few members of the 72’ team, Radford put together what will be remembered as one of the greatest Bobcat victories of all time. After an early TD from Riverhead’s RB 33 Cayden Cook-Cash (34/196,3TDs), Radford’s QB 7Landon Clark (15/99,TD rush; 18/24,264,4TDs) connected with his right hand man WR 18 Max Kanipe (9/226,2TDs) for 64 yards and a TD. But Clark and Kanipe weren’t done yet.
After a big hit on Riverhead’s RB 9 Jonathan Talbott (12/50) Radford recovered the fumble with under a minute left in the half. Clark nailed Kanipe with a perfect 50 yard pass into the end zone to put the Bobcats up 25-14 at the half. Riverheads, who had won 7 straight Class 1A state championships before moving up to Class 2A this year, wins state championships for a reason. Radford knew this game was far from over and it most likely take more points. The Bobcat defense did their part too, holding the Gladiators on fourth and one plays, not once, but twice. On top of that, DL 59 Dawson Martin intercepted a Riverheads pass attempt and ran it back for a pick 6, for the dagger.
“We were tested right off the back but our guys didn’t waiver, didn’t flinch.” Radford head coach Crist said, “after the TD before halftime you could feel the confidence in our kids.” The Bobcat fans could feel their confidence too, LB 52 Charlie Davis put it best, “When the crowd gets going it gets us going… it was a great game.” Radford finished the season 15-0. – Graham Whitaker
OFFENSE:
Rushing:
Radford– Landen Clark 16/99,TD, J.D. Grubb 12/31 Riverheads– Cayden Cook-Cash 18/190,3TDs, Jonathan Talbot 12/48, Levi Dunlap 4/13, Brady Boehm 1/7, Brendon Fortune 3/6
Passing:
Radford– Landen Clark 16/22,258,4TDs, Sincere Taylor 0/1,0 Riverheads– Levi Dunlap 0/2,0, Cayden Cash-Cook 0/1,0,INT
Receiving:
Radford– Max Kanipe 9/218, 2TDs, Sincere Taylor 3/21, Luke Woodard 3/13,TD, J.D. Grubb 1/7, Riverheads– N/A
Punting:
Radford– N/A Riverheads– N/A
Returns:
Radford– Colton Garner-Rollins 2/17 Riverheads– Cayden Cook-Cash 3/23, Unidentified 1/5
PATs/Field Goals:
Radford– Louis Webster 3/4 PATs Riverheads– Zac Brooks 3/3 PATs
Defense-
Tackles: Radford– Charlie Davis 20Tkls, Ricky Bailey 20Tkls, Dawson Martin 11Tkls, INT for TD,TFL, Brandon Thompson 7Tkls, Cole Martin 7Tkls, Daniel Nealy 6Tkls, Bryant Weaver 6Tkls, Reese Honaker 5Tkls
Scoring:
First Quarter-
Riverheads: Cayden Cook-Cash 4-yard TD run; Zac Brooks PAT
Radford: Max Kanipe 29-yard TD pass from Landen Clark; Louis Webster PAT
Radford: Luke Woodard 10-yard TD pass from Landen Clark; PAT No good
Second Quarter-
Riverheads: Cayden Cook-Cash 4-yard TD run; Zac Brooks PAT
Radford: Landen Clark 9-yard TD run; 2pt attempt no good
Radford: Max Kanipe 51-yard TD pass from Landen Clark; 2pt attempt no good
Third Quarter-
Riverheads: Cayden Cook-Cash 2-yard TD run; Zac Brooks PAT
Radford: J.D. Grubb 7-yard TD pass from Landen Clark; Louis Webster PAT
Fourth Quarter-
Radford: Dawson Martin interception for a TD in end zone; Louis Webster PAT