Good things come to those who wait. Clintwood Coach Rick Mullins had plenty of patience early waiting for some offensive daylight to develop. Early on it was hard to see how the Green Wave were going to manage but the wear and tear on the Tiger was both physically and mentally as Clintwood did exactly what was advertised. They owned the second half just like they did last week.

Clintwood will face Galax for the Division 1 state championship game which will kick-off at 12 noon in Salem. The Maroon Tide who had little trouble handling Central Lunenburg in their 50-14 victory haven't had a close contest since their big regular season finale with Grayson County. Grayson County defeated the same Clintwood team 61-6 in the regular season. However, this isn't the same Clintwood squad.

Clintwod's defense didn't break but bended quite a bit in the first half with Sussex Central marching into Green Wave territory. The Tigers would have drives die as Clintwood would rise to the again as Austin Kelley help lead defensive stand after defensive stand. The big turning point would happen in the second quarter.

A snap for a punt would sail astray over the head of Dalton Dahley who had the mindset to kick the ball out the back of the endzone instead of have charging Tiger defenders pounce on it. Sussex Central took a 2-0 lead.

Sussex Central's offense would then catch fire as big runs by Jeronte Langford and Darian Curley would give the Tigers an opportunity to strike again. This time they would. Tyquan Johnson kept driving and working to get free on an option run and found himself in the endzone to make it 8-0 Sussex Central.

Langford would have a career high 28 carries for 162 yards on the afternoon.

The next big turning point was about to happen as the Tigers went to the spread for the two point conversion. Johnson fired a pass to what looked like to be a wide open connection to Charles Bryant but the pass won't be incomplete as a defender was able to knock the ball free.

That miss would prove to be huge for a little thing nicknamed "mo".

In the second half, "mo" (short for momentum) had clearly left the Tigers and they could do nothing to get it back. Austin Kelley would block a punt just enough to ensure good field position for the Green Wave who were beginning to have success versus the veer offense. On that possession Austin Dotson would get going as his 1-2 yards in the first half runs suddenly became first down runs. Tigers were beginning to wear down physically.

Austin Dotson would bust in for the short touchdown run to cut the lead to 8-6 Sussex. Clintwood would kick the extra point which seemed at the time an unpopular decision but made perfect sense as the crowd would later find out.

On Sussex Central's next possession the elusive John Jones would have a good return call back for a block in the back having the Tigers start inside their own 10 yard line. The Tigers operating out of the spread would have a bad snap and the Green Wave would recover and another 6 looked guaranteed as momentum was completely on Clintwoods side.

The Tiger defense would raise to the ocassion. Big stops lead by Shabre Judkins and Alteriq Flowers help force the Green Wave to attempt a field goal in which was nailed. Giving Clintwood the 10-8 lead early in 4th.

The mental wear began to show.

The Tigers would have costly penalties killing drives before they could begin. A short punt gave Clintwood the ball in good territory. The Tigers looked to had held Clintwood until Robbie Mullins made a cut to his right and would go untouched for a 25-yard score. Definitely the easiest run the Green Wave had all day in this hard hitting contest. The extra point was good giving Clintwood a 17-8 lead after the extra point.

Folks began to see the importance of not risking that single point as the Green Wave was up two scores.

Sussex Central wasn't ready to give up on travel plans to Salem just yet. Jones would break two tackles and had a convey heading down the right side line. He appeared to be going for a score when Jordan Balthis hit a Tiger blocker into Jones and knocking him out of bounds.

After going no huddle, Sussex Central would run a series of toss plays that had the Green Wave defenders bent to their knees.

The Tigers would march down to the 1-yard line of Clintwood with on their final opportunity of the game. The Green Wave catch their second wind and would deny Langford from muscling in and ending in drama of onside kicks.

Robbie Mullins was Clintwood's leading rusher going 8 carries for 49 yards, Dotson chipped in 45, and Gavan Meade was held to 29 yards on 19 carries.

Sussex Central ends their season 12-2 and but will return the majority of his squad for next season.

Clintwood will look to capture the first state title since the 70s.

CLINTWOOD 0 0 7 10 17

SUSSEX CENTRAL 0 8 0 0 8

SC Safety (Dahley kicked the ball of the back of the endzone)

SC Johnson 24 yard touchdown run

C Dotson 2 yard touchdown run

C Tanner Brooks 24 yard field goal

C Mullins 25 yard run

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