Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, December 14, 1993 TAG: 9312140147
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: M.J. DOUGHERTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PEARISBURG LENGTH: Medium
Fans of Giles High School's football team slowly started gathering on the sidelines. As the minutes turned into seconds, the sidelines became more and more crowded.
And when the gun sounded Giles' victory in the state championship game, a mass of ecstatic fans poured onto Spartan Field.
They sounded their noise-makers, blew their whistles, rang their bells, and of course, waved their trademark bandanas that have become synonymous with Giles' football success.
Someone even held the down marker high in the air, appropriately with the `1' showing to mark the team's victory over Central High School of Lunenburg for the Group A Division 2 schools, the division for larger small schools.
The championship trophy was presented. Players hugged fans and one another. And team members Brian Cumbee and David Greever carried Coach Steve Ragsdale from the field.
The only thing missing was the "traditional" dousing of the coach. But the weather conditions - on-and-off snow showers and a wind chill factor that sometimes reached 15 below zero - made that impractical and down right dangerous to Ragsdale's health.
Celebrations continued throughout the weekend. The school's Snow Court Ball took on added significance as a victory celebration. Parties were scheduled throughout Pearisburg.
But the reason for all the happiness was not lost on those who had earned it.
"This is the second one in school history," said senior Peter Janney, who rushed for 152 yards, scored three touchdowns and made eight tackles. "So it's pretty darn important."
Giles' other state championship came in Group AA, the group for medium-sized schools, in 1980, before any member of the current squad had even entered school.
"I don't know, how should it feel - it feels good," said Ragsdale, who coached both teams to perfect 14-0 seasons and state titles. "When you've been there once, you see what it is to win and what it takes."
Whether the state title will mean success in other sports remains to be seen. But so far, it has meant success in boosting support for the Spartans.
"It will help just by bringing out all that spirit," said Rusty Kelley, the school's athletic director.
That spirit showed in handmade signs that lined U.S. 460 on the 15-mile stretch from the county line to the high school that welcomed Lunenburg fans with warnings of their impending defeat. It was evident in the crowd in excess of 7,000 - all but a few hundred of whom rooted for the Spartans. And it could be seen in the congratulatory notices that appeared on sign boards even before the team left the locker room.
"It's football dominance, the way it always is," said Barry Blankenship, a wing back for the Spartans in 1986-87 who spent Saturday waving the biggest bandana flag along the sidelines. "It [the crowd] is outrageous. Outrageous and full of spirit."
But before the team went home Saturday, a trio of players revealed in the locker room why Giles won the title - macaroni and cheese.
"Me, . . . David Greever, and Brian Cumbee sit down and eat it before the game," explained Marty Smith. "We're 31-0 when we eat it. My mom - Joyce Smith - fixes it for us. Kraft Shells and Cheese. It's miracle food."
by CNB