Kyle Green

Essays: Northside Football Championship

Northside High School football players do stretching drills during the first day of football practice. After going 1-9 two years ago, new coach, Burt Torrence has brought the team back to respectability. Finishing the regular season with an 8-2 record, the Northside football team won two playoff games and qualified for the state championship game. Northside's football team went on to win its first state championship on 12-12-2009, defeating Bruton High School 20-17. This is also notable as it is the first football championship for any high school currently in Roanoke County and the first football championship since the VHSL established playoffs. It was also the first appearance by a Roanoke County school in the championship game since Andrew Lewis lost to T.C. Williams in 1971, a game that has become famous for being portrayed in the 2000 movie "Remember the Titans."
   
Northside High School football player, Tyler Fisher (middle, #12), catches a 24 yard touchdown against Cave Spring High School player, Coy Hypes (left back, #35), during the State semi-final game held at Bogle field in Roanoke, Virginia on Saturday. Northside defeated Cave Spring 28-7 to advance to the state finals.
   
Northside High School football players hang out bus windows and shout to schoolmates as they made their way to Blacksburg for the state championship football game on Saturday. The game is the first state championship football game Northside High Schools 41 year history.
     
  
Northside High School football player, Donovohn Brown (middle, #2), breaks off a long touchdown catch and run against Bruton High School during the first half of the Region III State High School Football Championship game Saturday in Blacksburg. Northside defeated Bruton 20-17 to win the first football state championship in school history.
   
Northside High School football player, Dustin Phelps (middle, #25), celebrates a long touchdown catch against Bruton High School during the Region III State High School Football Championship game Saturday in Blacksburg. Northside defeated Bruton 20-17 to win the first football state championship in school history.
   
Injured Northside High School football player, Matt Sandoval (middle, #52), cries as he is helped off the field by teammates Gino Saunders (*left, #76), and Ryan Morgan (right, #56) after the Region III State High School Football Championship game against Bruton High School Saturday in Blacksburg. Northside defeated Bruton 20-17 to win the first football state championship in school history.
     
  
Northside High School football head football coach, Burt Torrence (middle) is doused with Gatorade after the Region III State High School Football Championship game against Bruton High School Saturday in Blacksburg. Northside defeated Bruton 20-17 to win the first football state championship in school history.
   
Northside High School football player, Tyler Fisher (middle, #12), is swarmed by fans at the end of the game against Bruton High School at the conclusion of the Region III State High School Football Championship game Saturday in Blacksburg. Northside defeated Bruton 20-17 to win the first football state championship in school history.
   
Northside High School football head football coach, Burt Torrence (right) hugs player, Matt Sandoval (left, #52) after the Region III State High School Football Championship game against Bruton High School Saturday in Blacksburg. Northside defeated Bruton 20-17 to win the first football state championship in school history.
     
  
Northside High School football players, hug teammate, Matt Sandoval (middle, #52) in the locker room after the Region III State High School Football Championship game Saturday in Blacksburg. Northside defeated Bruton 20-17 to win the first football state championship in school history.
   
Northside High School football player, Connor Kurtz (left, #22), plays a harmonica while teammate, Tyler Fisher (right, #12), laughs in the locker room after the game Region III State High School Football Championship game against Bruton High School Saturday in Blacksburg. Northside defeated Bruton 20-17 to win the first football state championship in school history.