Wk 15 RNK 2024 Glenvar @ Graham

Graham outduels Glenvar, 28-24 in 2A State Semifinal at Mitchell Stadium in Bluefield

“Credit to them. They played better then we did at the end, in the fourth quarter. They made the play when we didn’t.”

-Glenvar Coach Kevin Clifford

Mitchell Stadium, Bluefield, WV – In a 2A state semifinal battle between two excellent football programs, Graham made one more play than Glenvar in the fourth quarter and that was the difference.

Glenvar Coach Kevin Clifford gave Graham nod, “Credit to them. They played better than we did at the end, in the fourth quarter. They made the play when we didn’t.” Glenvar took the lead with 8:42 left in the fourth quarter on K 4 Carl Muse’s 31-yard boot. The Highlanders had it first and ten at the G-Men fifteen, but a run for a short loss, an incompletion, and then a short completion forced the field goal. Graham then marched 81 yards, capped off by QB 1 Gabe Lilly’s 20-yard TD run to go back ahead 28-24 at the 4:36 mark.

Glenvar had one more chance with the ball, but QB 15 Brody Dawyot’s fourth down pass near midfield fell incomplete. Graham Coach Tony Palmer lauded the Highlanders. “It was a gut check for us. Glenvar is well coached. They are always well coached. Coach Clifford does and outstanding job. He’s a winner. They have been winning for a long time, so we had to come in and try and play to the best of our ability.”

They did it, when they needed to. Turnovers proved big in this one with Glenvar giving it back 3 times to 4 turnovers for the G-Men. Glenvar got the party started in the first quarter on QB 15 Dawyot’s (11/28,213,3TDs,3INTs) 43 yard TD pass and run to Senior WR/DB 8 Peyton Deel (4/77,TD). That’s the way Q1 ended, 7-0 Glenvar. Graham regrouped and scored early in the second on QB 10 Dalton Roberts (12/20,116,TD,2INTs) 8 yard TD pass to WR 8 Chris Edwards (4/52,TD). Dawyot countered with a 42-yard TD pass to WR 1 Cooper Mullins (6/107,2TDs) halfway through the second. It didn’t take long for a Graham answer.

WR/DB 6 Blake Graham took the ensuing kickoff back 84 yards to notch the game again, 14-14. Graham went ahead 21-14 three minutes later on a Roberts to Graham 29-yard TD pass up the seam, but Dawyot and Mullins weren’t finished. The two connected on a 40-yard strike at the 1:20 mark to tie it again. It was 21-21 at the break. The third quarter was a turnover rodeo. Graham WR/DB 5 Cambell Fix fumbled the second half kickoff, but Graham intercepted Dawyot’s first second half pass to get the ball back.

Graham was held on downs on their next drive, but Glenvar couldn’t capitalize.

Glenvar’s Deel made a spectacular interception a the Glenvar fourteen late in the third. Glenvar turned that drive into Muse’s field goal, but it proved to be not enough. Clifford thought his defense showed some grit in that third quarter, but he knew they left some opportunities our there. “I felt like we dug our heels in the ground. We just needed to make one of two more plays offensively. I am really proud of our kids the way they competed.” Graham will now move on to play Strasburg, a 14-13 winner over Poquoson in the other 2A matchup.  – Cap’n Crunch