GALAX, Va.—
The entire Galax community is fired up for the Maroon Tide's maiden voyage into the championship round.Saturday's Division 1 matchup with Clintwood kicks at high noon in Salem, marking the first ever appearance for a Mountain Empire District team in the title tilt. Karen Loftus spent some time with Coach Mark Dixon and the Tide earlier this week.
For their first appearance in the state semifinals, the Maroon Tide certainly left their mark, putting up 50 on Central Lunenburg, and punching their ticket to the Division I State Title game.
"It was wonderful. I never would have dreamed the score would have been like that," Galax Head Coach Mark Dixon said. "The kids, they just keep rising up and playing better and better. They're playing their best football right now at the right time of the year and I think they're confident. I know they're really excited about this next one."
"Our key was just to keep up with our one guy and read that guy and our speed just kept up with them. They were quick but our keys is what got us to the State Championship game," said Deion George, a senior wide receiver for Galax.
With the semifinals behind them, their focus is on Clintwood, a 12-2 team out of Dickenson County, that's going to be their toughest challenge yet.
"They're great. They're really big and really fast and that's a tough combination to deal with," Dixon said. "While last week we dealt with a lot of speed, they bring both to the table. They're the best team we've seen by far. They have it all. They're well coached. They're disciplined. They're physical. It'll take everything we've got and we'll probably need some breaks along the way to hang in there."
"They're big and they have speed," George said. "This will be a good game."
The size factor may be the biggest obstacle in the title game, but Coach Dixon's players are quick to put his concerns to rest.
"I'm always worried that that's going to happen because we're not big and they'll tell me before we go out there that don't worry about it coach, we'll be alright," Dixon said. "And I'll send them out there and they'll do what they always do, which is fight their little hearts out and see where we end-up."
Where they end-up may have a lot to do with Clintwood's stand-out fullback and linebackers.
"I think the 13, he's their big fullback and just an unbelievable linebacker," Dixon said. "He's just a whale of a football player. The more I watch him, the more impressive he gets. #44 is their other linebacker and he's a tremendous player. I haven't seen them be blocked yet, so we have to some how, some way, get in the way."
One set back in the Maroon Tides' preparation is the weather, forcing them to practice inside for most of the week.
"It's going to have an impact," Dixon said. "There's no doubt we like to pass the ball and we haven't thrown it yet in three days. We've been stuck doing this. At the same time, the positive note is, they're so powerful and they run so much, we've been able to work on playing run defense for 3 days."
As for ending the season on a win and taking home their first ever football state title, they're now just one step away from their ultimate goal.
"It'd mean the world to me. It'd mean the world to me because of our boys," Dixon said. "I want to see them get what they've worked so hard for. But at this point, whatever happens- whether we win, whether we lose- they've lit this community on fire."
Deion George said" "I think we have a good chance of winning a State Championship. We just have to play hard, give 100%, 4 quarters and we'll be all right."
