***STATE CHAMPIONSHIP BLOG***

[VaPrepsRod]

This thread will be used by the VirginiaPreps.com staff as a running blog for the state championship game

 

[Drew Goodman]

Greetings from Salem! Defending champ Altavista will kick off against Essex at the top of the hour.

 

[Drew Goodman]

This is my first time seeing Dondre Harris in person. The kid is every bit 7-0, 395 pounds.

 

[Drew Goodman]

Altavista has a great turnout of fans here. Pretty good showing from Essex as well, especially considering how far they had to travel.

 

[Drew Goodman]

The Trojans are taking the field to a nice ovation.

This post was edited on 12/13 11:58 AM by Drew Goodman

 

[Drew Goodman]

Right on cue, here come the Colonels. Altavista will be the visitors wearing white plans, white jerseys, and black helmets, while Essex is rocking all purple on the home sideline.

 

[Drew Goodman]

Essex has won the toss and the Trojans will defer. Altavista will receive to start the game.

 

[Drew Goodman]

The Trojans kick it out of bounds to start the game. 1st down Altavista at their own 35

 

[Drew Goodman]

Thornhill opens the play with a six-yard read option. Made a great move at the line, but Steven Payne made a heck of a tackle.

 

[Drew Goodman]

Fumble! Colonels put the ball on the turf, and Terrance Hall falls on it for the Trojans. Essex will takeover with great field position.

 

[Drew Goodman]

Touchdown Essex! Demitre Maulbeck hits Rasaun Martin on a beautiful fly-pattern on third down in the end zone.

 

[Drew Goodman]

Last play was from 39 yards out. Essex leads Altavista 7-0 with 9:49 left in the first quarter.

 

[Drew Goodman]

The Trojans do all they can to avoid kicking it to Thornhill again. A nice Altavista return is negated due to a block in the back. The Colonels will start this drive at their own 14.

 

[Drew Goodman]

Great closing defense by the Essex linebackers. 3rd down and 3 coming up for Altavista

 

[Drew Goodman]

Essex brought the blitz on 3rd down, but Thornhill gets just enough. 1st down Altavista

 

[Drew Goodman]

Thornhill is doing Thornhill things again. The UVa commit escapes pressure and hits Nate Jones for an Altavista 1st down at the 35

 

[Drew Goodman]

Thornhill beats an impressive rush from Sterling Hammond and connects on another 1st down. Great drive going on for the Colonels.

 

[Drew Goodman]

Altavista was facing a 2nd and one, but the Trojans just jumped offsides to give the Colonels their 4th first down this drive.

 

[Drew Goodman]

Thornhill hits Demetrius Johnson for a beautiful first down pass to the 29 -yard line.

 

[Drew Goodman]

Big 3rd down and 5 coming up for Altavista at the 16

 

[Drew Goodman]

Thornhill fakes, looks, fakes again, looks, and gets seven yards for a 1st down. Altavista is at the nine-yardline.

 

[Drew Goodman]

Touchdown Altavista! Who else? Juan Thornhil takes it in from four yards out.

 

[Drew Goodman]

XP is good and Altavista and Essex are tied at 7 with 1:54 left in the 1st quarter

 

[Drew Goodman]

Pretty impressive drive for Altavista… 14 plays, 86 yards, and nearly 8 minutes off of the clock.

 

[Drew Goodman]

Well that didn't take long, the Trojans puts the ball on the turf, and Donovan Montague picks it up for Altavista. 1st down Colonels.

 

[Drew Goodman]

Um… wow. Thornhill just turned what would have been a 10-yard loss into a 22-yard pass to Demitre Maulbeck. 1st down Altavista at the 21.

 

[Drew Goodman]

End of the first quarter and we are tied at 7.

 

[Drew Goodman]

Thornhill takes it to the 12 yard line for a 4th down and one. Decision time coming up

 

[Drew Goodman]

Sterling Hammond drops Thornhill for a four-yard loss on 4th down. 1st down Essex at their own 16.

 

[Drew Goodman]

Essex has been coming hard on the blitz all afternoon so far, and it finally paid off that time for the Trojans.

 

[Drew Goodman]

Essex has unleashed Leo Gaskins this drive, and the senior has reeled off a couple of nice runs so far.

 

[Drew Goodman]

12 men on the field penalty for Essex. Refs are not quite sure where to spot the ball.

 

[Drew Goodman]

3rd down and 21 coming up for the Trojans

 

[Drew Goodman]

Essex gets called for a chop block, but the penalty is declined. The Trojans will put it away here.

 

[Drew Goodman]

Essex just punted the ball into the Altavista fan section for 0 yards. The Colonels will get the ball at the Trojan 18.

 

[Drew Goodman]

Nice rush up the middle Dameon Brooks. Altavista will face a 3rd and 4

 

[Drew Goodman]

Demetrius Johnson makes the catch, but falls down a yard shy of the marker

 

[Drew Goodman]

Walker Allen's 27-yard field goal is wide right and the Trojans will take over at their own 20.

 

[Drew Goodman]

Darius Johnson just dropped Dominek Broaddus for a nine yard loss. Th Trojans will punt it from their own nine.

 

[Drew Goodman]

Thornhill can throw the ball two. The UVa commit just hit Johnson for a beautiful 24-yard touchdown through the air.