In our first playoff preview, we mentioned that the road to a VHSL State Championship runs through the 540, and this Saturday, that statement will become more than evident. Not only will the VHSL Class 2 State Championship be played in the 540, but it will also feature a regional clash between the undefeated Radford Bobcats and the one-loss Riverheads Gladiators, two of this regions most dominant teams. With history in the making for both of these programs we wanted to first share our official game preview featuring game information, players to know, and more!
Saturday, December 9th | 11;30 AM | Salem Stadium- Salem, Virginia
The Riverheads Gladiators have a shot to do what no other modern playoff-era team has ever done before: win 8 straight and capture 11 total. While a historic season is in the making for this regional powerhouse, they will be heading into a battle of the best this Saturday. Waiting for the Gladiators will be a team looking to make history of their own. The undefeated Radford Bobcats are looking to cap off a perfect season with a state championship win—their first time since 1972. Before either of these teams can write history, their fate will fall between the hashes of Salem Stadium in this Saturday's VHSL Class 2 State Championship Game.
Some would say talent wins championships; others would say coaching. This matchup will say both, as both the Bobcats and Gladiators prepare to showcase that championships are won with a complete team. Utilizing a wide array of talent on both sides of the ball, Radford and Riverheads have built a season off hard-working chemistry, and the results will be on display this Saturday. Leading the Bobcats will be two-way senior Landen Clark, who has made his impact throughout this entire playoff run. Utilizing his dual-threat skillset, along with the weapons that surround him, Clark has led this Radford offense to average 41 points per game this postseason. Awaiting this attack will be a Riverheads defense that features an array of playmakers who have only allowed an average of 8.5 points per game throughout their playoff run.
At the other end stands a Riverheads run game that features a locked and loaded double-barrel attack from senior Cayden Cook-Cash and sophomore Jonathan Talbott, who have led the Gladiators' offense to average 43.5 points per game this postseason. While Riverheads displays a wide array of talent on the offensive end, it will also be the ferocious defense of the Bobcats that looks to stand strong in Salem. Led by a combination of playmakers throughout every position, this Radford defense has only allowed an average of 16 points per playoff game and following their 2nd half shutout against Graham last week, are currently playing at their highest level. It will come down to both the offensive and defensive units to mesh collectively as both teams look to finish their story this Saturday.
Regional history is in the making, and it all comes down to two of the most dominant teams this region holds: 8 Straight versus First Since. Radford is looking for their first state championship since 1972, and Riverheads is looking to go 8 straight. Only one of these teams can bring home the VHSL Class 2 State Championship for the region. Only one of these teams can finish their story.
Riverheads Road Here:
-Finished Regular Season 9-1 with One Loss To Central Woodstock in August
-Playoff Wins Over: Madison County, Clarke County, Central Woodstock, and Poquoson
Radford's Road Here:
-Undefeated 10-0 Regular Seaon Record
-Playoff Wins Over: James River, Appomattox County, Glenvar, and Graham
540 Players To Watch:
Cayden Cook-Cash- Riverheads RB (c/o 2024) | http://www.hudl.com/v/2KQ55i
Jonathan Talbott- Riverheads RB (c/o 2026) | https://www.hudl.com/profile/16887850/Jonathan-Talbott
Max Kanipe- Radford WR (c/o 2024) | http://www.hudl.com/v/2MdURG
Charlie Davis- Radford LB (c/o 2024) | http://www.hudl.com/v/2MLUj1
Sincere Taylor- Radford ATH (c/o 2025) | http://www.hudl.com/v/2MKyTg
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