Goose Creek overpowers Greenwood to win 4A-Division 2 title (AUDIO)

Goose Creek's Virgil Smalls crashes in for his third touchdown of the game

Goose Creek coach Chuck Reedy helped Clemson win the 1981 national championship as an assistant coach on Danny Ford’s staff.  Saturday afternoon at Death Valley he became a champion again as his Goose Creek Gators defeated Greenwood 37-21 to win the 4A-Division 2 championship.  It’s the first football state championship in the school’s history.

As they have all season, the Gators relied on their punishing ground game to wear down the Eagles.  Goose Creek rushed for 403 yards averaging nearly 7 yards per rush.  Caleb Kinlaw led the way with 130 yards.  Virgil  Smalls added 117 yards and three touchdowns.  The Gators converted 11 of 18 third and fourth down opportunities.

But the game turned on a blocked punt.  Early in the fourth quarter of a 21-21 game, Greenwood was forced to punt from its own 15.  Goose Creek linebacker Gerald Turner blocked the punt and the ball shot thru the end zone for a safety and a 23-21 Goose Creek lead. l

From there,  Reedy dialed up his running game.  He did not call another pass play the rest of the game.   The Gators went right down the field after the safety with Smalls scoring from a yard out for a 30-21 lead with 7:52 to play.  After a three and out by the Eagles, the Gators put together another scoring drive with Tramel Terry running in from 31 yards out for the game’s final points.

Greenwood passed for 185 yards with receiver Spearman Robinson catching three balls for 84 yards and two touchdowns.

AUDIO: Goose Creek coach Chuck Reedy

AUDIO: Greenwood coach Gene Cathcart

Goose Creek finishes the season at 14-1 while Greenwood completes its season with a 13-2 mark.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Subscribe: RSS