George Wythe’s path this season certainly has some parallels to 2002 when Donnie Pruitt's team captured the school's first state crown, going on a Cinderella run to claim the trophy.
Ten years ago, George Wythe faced Floyd County in the Region C finals and quickly fell behind by two scores, but Grant Throckmorton and company rallied the Maroons to a rousing 20-16 come-from-behind win good for a berth in the state semis against Gate City.
Not even Old Man Winter could slow down the Maroons’ run. Just a few days before the semifinal contest several inches of snow fell in Wytheville, pushing the community and even a helicopter into action to get the field ready for play.
The team did its part against the perennial power Gate City. The Maroons again surprised everyone, outlasting the Blue Devils in overtime to advance to the state title game in Harrisonburg.
There they met Buckingham County, and Robert Barcliff put on a show, rushing for 276 yards to set a single game state record.
His two TD's powered George Wythe to an historic 26-12 win at JMU's Bridgeforth Stadium.
