By RODNEY YOUNG
NRVSports.net
Playing on a mild Friday night in Pearisburg the Giles Spartans sent their seniors out on a winning note exploding for 30 points in the first quarter enroute to a very impressive 53-20 victory on Senior Night over George Wythe.
The win means the Mountain Empire District finished in a three-way tie. These two teams and Grayson County all finished with just one district loss.
The first quarter saw the two teams exchange touchdowns as neither team could stop the other. The two teams combined to score 43 points in the opening quarter.
Spartan senior running back Antonio Wilcoxson scored four touchdowns as he rushed for 163 yards on 14 carries. He also threw a 37-yard touchdown pass to Brady Thwaites to open the scoring in the first minute and 24 seconds. Jalen Miller scored two touchdowns as he ran for 65 yards on 17 carries. He also ran in four two-point conversions accounting for 20 points in the game.
After going up 8-0 George Wythe would come right back with Isaac Smith hitting Camden Skeens on a catch and run, 73-yard touchdown down the Maroon sideline.
Giles would answer that score on their next possession with Wilcoxson scoring on an eight-yard run up the middle. Their two-point conversion failed and it was 14-7 with 5:34 still to go in the quarter.
The Maroons (6-4) would score on an Isaac Smith three-yard run, but the kick was no good.
Giles once again got on the board as Miller scored on a run off right tackle for 12 yards and his two-point conversion made it 22-13 with 4:58 to go in the quarter.
After a Maroon turnover the Spartans made them pay with Wilcoxson running off-tackle for a 28-yard touchdown and their conversion run upped their lead to 30-13 after one quarter of play.
Giles would score two more times in the second quarter as Miller scored on a two-yard run and another Wilcoxson scamper, this one for 50 yards as they took a commanding 46-13 intermission advantage. They had rushed for 276 yards in the first half and had accumulated 313 yards of offense.
The second half saw the two teams finally get stops on defense with the Maroons getting their only tally in the third quarter. Caden Golliher scored on a 24-yard scamper around left end and Lucas Mabry’s kick had the scoreboard showing 46-20 Giles, with 2:38 on the clock.
Giles (8-2) with 7:22 left in the contest would hand the ball off to Wilcoxson and he broke loose for a 52-yard romp. Will Tickle’s kick made the final score 53-20.
“I’m so proud of these kids,” said a happy Giles head coach Sam Wright. “Our lines on offense and defense did a heck of a job . They made holes for Wilcoxson and Miller and helped stop the Maroons offense. The first quarter was back and forth but we came up with a couple turnovers and stops. These guys play for each other and again I’m so proud of them. It was a great way to send out our seniors here on Senior Night.”
George Wythe was led in rushing by Kaiden Irby. He had 55 yards on 13 carries and Skeens had 73 receiving yards. The Maroons committed five turnovers with four of those being interceptions.
Both teams will advance to the Class 1 Region C playoffs next Friday. Both appear to be hosting games next week.
Giles 30 16 0 7-53
GW 13 0 7 0-20
Rushing – Giles- Wilcoxson 14-163, Miller 17-65, Mills 3-46, Humphreys 3-69, T. Ratcliffe 4-10, Sadler 1-1, GW- Irby 13-55, Bralley 4-20, Golliher 6-43, Smith 3-8, Shiver 5-43, Bement 1-8, Rivens 2-13
Passing – Giles – Wilcoxson – 1-1-0 ints.-1 Td- 37 yds., GW- Smith 4-13- 3 Ints.- 1 Td- 101 yds., Bralley 0-1- 1 Int.0 Tds.- 0 yds.
Receptions – Giles -Thwaites 1-37, GW – Skeens 1-73, Rivens 2-13, Irby 1-15
First downs – Giles 15, GW – 12
Fum.-lost– Giles 1-1, GW – 1-1
Penalties – Giles – 6-70, GW- 6-58
Total Yds. – Giles – 391, GW – 291
Total To’s – Giles 2, GW- 5
Punts- avg. – Giles – 3-36.6, GW – 1-54.0
