The Goochland Bulldogs captured their first-ever state football title 28-14 on Saturday,

downing defending Group A, Division 2 champion Giles in the process. The Bulldogs'

achievement is pretty remarkable considering that (1) not only had they never competed at

this level, but (2) the last three teams they beat in the playoffs—Gretna, Essex, and

Giles—were all outstanding.

Andrew Fenstermaker got the Spartans on the board first with a two-yard touchdown run on

Giles' opening possession. The Spartans amassed six first downs and chewed up 6:28 of

clock on the drive—patented Giles football. However, Goochland responded with a

touchdown drive of their own, spurred by D. J. Coles' 28-yard touchdown run with 2:40

remaining in the quarter. The only scoring of the second period came on Fenstermaker's

second touchdown of the game, making the score 14-7 at the break.

Goochland seemed to take control of the game in the second half. The Nathan Whitley

extra point tied the game at 14 with 2:34 remaining in the third period.

In the fourth, Goochland's defense continued to stifle the Giles single-wing attack. When

the Bulldogs got the ball back, they marched 90 yards in ten plays for what would be a state

title-winning drive. The possession culminated with a 13-yard Ovell Hicks run to put

Goochland ahead 21-14 with 4:24 to go in the game. Finally, after Giles turned the ball

over on downs, D. J. Coles scored his second touchdown of the game to provide the final

margin of 28-14.

Surprisingly, one of the major factors in this game was a trio of interceptions thrown by

Spartan star halfback Matthew Tanner (one of which was on a ball that should have been

caught). A Michael Ware

interception helped set up quarterback Brian Jordan's one-yard run. Giles won their state semi-final without throwing a single pass, but they completed

more passes (3) to Goochland players today than to their own players (2). Tanner finished

with 91 yards on 23 carries. Goochland's John Austin Hicks (15/123) and Coles (13/118)

each topped the century mark in rushing yardage.

Giles finishes a great year at 12-2. The Spartans should be commended for returning to the

state title game for the second consecutive season, which is always a very impressive

accomplishment. Meanwhile, Coach Joe Fowler and his Bulldogs can celebrate a perfect 14-0 dream season.