CHAPEL HILL — The stage was set for a showdown in the 1A State Championship match as the Tarboro Vikings and Mount Airy Granite Bears clashed in the state finals in 2017 and 2022, each having claimed a victory over the other in previous championship matches. On Saturday, Mount Airy walked away with its ninth NCHSAA Football State Championship with a 21-3 win at Kenan Memorial Stadium on the University of North Carolina campus.
In a defensive stalemate, a highlight from the first quarter came from an impressive punt from Tarboro’s Oscar Perez Gaspar, who launched a 55-yarder landing just shy of the 5-yard line.
Gaspar also provided the first points of the game in the second quarter, finishing a seven-play, 17-yard drive with a 39-yard field goal. In the final minute of the half, Tarboro’s defense made a goal line stand and the Granite Bears missed a 21-yard field goal attempt, securing a 3-0 Tarboro lead at the break.
In the third quarter, Deric Dandy was credited with a crucial tackle as went for it on fourth and one. The turnover on downs gave Mount Airy the ball on the Tarboro 29-yard line. Capitalizing on the field position, Tyler Mason gave the game its first touchdown with a 12-yard run after 5 plays, propelling the Granite Bears to a 7-3 lead.
On the Granite Bears next drive, Ian Gallimore executed a quick shovel pass to Mario Revels for an 89-yard touchdown in the first 15 seconds of the fourth quarter. The momentum continued for the Granite Bears as Gallimore, in a patient 9-play, 32-yard drive, connected a pass to Blake Hawks in the endzone, sealing the championship title for Mount Airy and a 21-3 lead.
Tarboro finished the season with a 13-1 record. This is Tarboro’s 14th appearance in the state finals since their first in 1984, and their 7th consecutive appearance, having had the chance at a state title every year since 2017. The Vikings’ state finals record is 8-6, and they were state runner-ups in 2022 and now 2023.
Mount Airy finished the season with a 16-0 record. This is Mount Airy’s 14th appearance in the final game of the season, having an 9-5 record in their championship appearances since their first in 1935.
The NCHSAA is committed to promoting good sportsmanship and has partnered with the NC Farm Bureau to recognize two athletes from each State Championship event with the NC Farm Bureau Sportsmanship Awards. The Sportsmanship Award winners for the 2023 1A Football State Championship Match were Dee Dawkins from Mount Airy and Shermardra Clark from Tarboro.
The NCHSAA is proud to partner with Wells Fargo to present the Most Valued Player award in the 1A State Championship match to Tyler Mason from Mount Airy. Mason had a stellar performance with 133 rushing yards and a touchdown.
In tandem with the Carolina Panthers, the NCHSAA is proud to present Offensive and Defensive Most Valued Player awards to two players from each team. From Mount Airy, Mario Revels won Offensive MVP, and Ian Gallimore won Defensive MVP. Revels had an average of 8.7 rushing yards per play and 100 receiving yards, while Gallimore finished the game with 104 passing yards, six tackles, and two touchdowns. From Tarboro, Kamerin Mcdowell-Moore won Offensive MVP, and Isaiah Jones won Defensive MVP. McDowell-Moore finished the game with 31 rushing and 11 receiving yards accompanied by 8.5 tackles, while Jones finished the game with 6.5 tackles.
— Allison Schuldt
Podcasts/Media
-
Podcast
/ 16 hours agoBleav in Panthers – The One With The Bye Week – Tues Nov 12th 2024
Hosted by Desmond Johnson and Jonathan Stewart Schuyler is still out on Paternity leave...
-
Podcast
/ 6 days agoTitans Talk with West Forsyth HC Kevin Wallace – Season 5 Ep 10 – Mon Nov 4th 2024
The Titans fall to East Forsyth 48-42 in the Regular Season finale to end...
-
Podcast
/ 1 week agoBleav in Carolina Panthers – The One With the Saints Victory Monday – Mon Nov 4th 2024
Hosted by Tobacco Road Sports Radio’s Desmond Johnson and Panthers All Time Leading Rusher...
-
Podcast
/ 2 weeks agoBleav in Panthers – The One Where Reality Sets In – Tues Oct 29th 2024
Hosted by Tobacco Road Sports Radio’s Desmond Johnson, Sports Illustrated Panthers Beat Writer Schuyler...
ACC Football
-
ACC Football
/ 15 hours agoDabo Swinney defends ACC competitiveness, uses Vanderbilt wins over Alabama, Auburn to make point
Published by On3 Clemson earned a hard-fought road win at Virginia Tech on Saturday...
-
ACC Football
/ 2 days agoPaul Finebaum weighs in on Mike Norvell hot seat, potential of Deion Sanders to FSU
Published by On3 Paul Finebaum didn’t mince words in evaluating Florida State’s falloff from...
-
ACC Football
/ 2 days agoPaul Finebaum assesses damage to Miami, ACC College Football Playoff chances
Published by On3 Paul Finebaum knows Miami did some damage to itself by losing...
-
ACC Football
/ 4 days agoDemon Deacons Drop High-Scoring 46-36 Contest to California
Courtesy GoDeacs.com WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Despite a valiant effort to comeback from a 15-point third...
NFL/Carolina Panthers
-
NFL
/ 2 days agoPanthers edge Giants in overtime at Munich NFL game
Published by DPA International The Carolina Panthers beat the New York Giants 20-17 in...
-
NFL
/ 6 days agoCarolina Panthers lock up RB Chuba Hubbard with 4-year, $33.2 million extension
Published by On3 The Carolina Panthers have come to an agreement on an extension...
-
NFL
/ 2 weeks agoJonathon Brooks injury update: Dave Canales addresses chances of Panthers RB making debut vs. Saints
Published by On3 The Carolina Panthers are anxiously awaiting the debut of rookie running...
-
NFL
/ 2 weeks agoPanthers HC Daves Canales reveals starting QB between Bryce Young, Andy Dalton vs. Saints
Published by On3 Carolina Panthers (1-7) head coach Dave Canales announced Wednesday that Bryce...