Quick Dive: The State Championship History of The 540

Since 1920, or the earliest record of VHSL history, the region known as the 540 has won a total of 59 VHSL state championships. As we prepare for another weekend of high school football history in our region, we wanted to take a quick dive into the championship roots of this region.

The roots of football in this region date back to the 1920s and feature a historic rivalry between the cities of Roanoke and Portsmouth. Jefferson Senior, also known as Roanoke High School, would become the first recorded team to win three straight state championships in the latter of five straight appearances. The bulk of Jefferson Senior's state championship games were played against Woodrow Wilson from Portsmouth, Virginia. These two teams would meet four times for the Group AAA State Championship.

However, the Group AAA State Championship history doesn't stop there for this region. Seven years following Jefferson Senior's last state championship in 1957, a school in Salem called Andrew Lewis High School would win the 1964 Group AAA State Championship. Andrew Lewis would carry its own state championship history in this region, including the 1971 shutout loss to TC Williams, more familiarly known as the championship game in the movie Remember The Titans. Then, 2 years later in 1973 a team known as Patrick Henry from Roanoke would go on to defeat Lafayette 23-0 to win the Group AAA title- their only state championship to date.

The history of VHSL State Championship games continued to grow throughout the region as three other programs captured multiple titles across various groups. Parry McCluer secured their first three Group A State Championships in 1977, 1979, and 1983. Courtland claimed their initial three Group AA State Championships in 1982, 1983, and 1985. Radford would win two Group AA State Championships in 1971 and 1972, and this weekend, will look to win their first since.

As the championship history grew in this region, so did the sport and its formatting. In 1986, we were introduced to what is now known as the modern playoff era, featuring six different division/class levels. However, it was only from here that playoff dominance was established in this region.

The Salem Spartans and the Riverheads Gladiators, two of the most winning high school football programs in the state of Virginia, will look to continue their history this weekend with an opportunity to win their 11th State Championship. Both of these teams have created historical resumes of their own in the modern playoff era. Salem, with two sets of three-peats in 1998/99/00 and 2015/16/17. Riverheads, currently holding an astounding record of seven straight state championships dating back to 2016. Both teams lead the state of Virginia in final four appearances (Salem - 21, Riverheads - 12).

Outside of the regional dominance from powerhouses such as Salem and Riverheads, this region also holds a history that will be forever cherished. Five different high school programs have won only one football state championship in their storied history. Buffalo Gap, Glenvar, Patrick Henry, Pulaski County, and Woodgrove each continue their journey towards bringing another title back to their respective schools.

From record-holding teams like the 2010 Riverheads Gladiators to historical championship runs like Woodgrove in 2018, this region has experienced VHSL State Championship football like no other. With over 100 years of history, the Virginia High School Football Playoffs will forever run through the 540.