MONETA, Va. – In a game that featured two high flying offenses centered on the ground attack, both Staunton River and Heritage showed why they deserve to be in the semifinal round. Saturday's game was all about seizing the opportunity and making big plays when they mattered most.
Up 7-6 in the first quarter, Heritage added to the lead. Elijah Davis rumbles in from 46 yards out for his second score of the day. Taking the Pioneers to a 14-6 lead over Staunton River.
But here comes the Golden Eagles TJ Tester with a huge kick return for touchdown from 90 plus yards, brought the score to 14-12.
Later, Staunton River's defense came up big before the half with a tackle for loss and the offense capitalizes off a TJ Tester 29 yard touchdown run. It was 28-25 at the break.
Second half Golden Eagles take their first lead of the game with a 30 yard dash to the end zone by Grayson 'my favorite' Overstreet. It's 32-28.
But the Pioneers offense could not be stopped. Jabari Blake goes up top and finds Chris Megginson on a 43 yard touchdown. Then Davis put his stamp of approval on this one. He finished with 396 yards and Heritage moves on to the State Championship with a 49-35 victory over Staunton River.
"Two great football teams, heavyweight fight. Went down to the last and we knew it, we've been talking about 4th quarter eyes since January," said Heritage head coach Brad Bradley.
"And I thought our kids did a tremendous job. We knew it wasn't going to be won in the first second or the third. It was going to be won in the fourth quarter, last five minutes and that's what happened."
"The line blocked tremendously, I'm so proud of them because they work so hard every week. We run all the time to stay in shape but we came it here and got this W so it feels good," said Elijah Davis.
Staunton River coach Chuck Poston added, "I just think the difference in the game was tackling 11. We just couldn't get a crucial stop. We had to have one there in the second half but we never panicked, we stayed with our game plan and kept doing what's got us here to this point."
While the season does come to an end for Staunton River, Chuck Poston says he couldn't be prouder of the senior class and the job they've done to help turn this program around. As for Heritage they will prepare to take on Hopewell in next weeks State Championship game.