Southwest Virginia sports fans are familiar with the trip up Interstate 81. Painfully familiar.
In addition to the usual speed traps, tractor-trailers and sports utility gas-hogs, the crowded road featured a blue caravan on this foggy Saturday morning.
The Big Blue Nation was on another mission. Their quest was the Group A, Division 2 state football championship.
From the cannonball and massive air horn to the legacy of former coach Harry Fry, traditions abound with the Gate City football program. Blue Devil fans often arrive two hours before kickoff and fill up half over the bleachers on the visitors’ side of Legion Field.
Since 1970, athletes from Gate City have won 15 state championships in girls’ tennis, girls’ basketball, volleyball, softball and football.
With four state titles and 441 wins since 1956, Gate City ranks as the 67th most successful football program in the nation and No. 2 in Virginia.
There would not be another trophy for Southwest Virginia’s title town at Salem Stadium. Gretna and its remarkable freshman quarterback Nick Miller made sure of that with a 52-0 knockout.
Despite the lopsided score, the Blue-clad fans cheered until the end and then consoled their heroes after the game.
Those football-savvy Gate City fans seemed to realize that their team had made a long, sweat-filled journey from last year’s 4-6 record. And they did it with only nine seniors.
"It was a thrill to be here," GC junior quarterback Tihlee Anderson said. "We were the underdogs all year, but we played with heart and worked together to reach our goal."
In fact, Gate City lost three regular season games and finished behind Lebanon in the Clinch Mountain District.
With undersized yet fearless senior running back Tyler Parks leading the way, Gate City made yet another charge at a championship. Very few teams can overcome eight turnovers, however.
"All our seniors deserve a lot of credit," GC head coach Nick Colobro said. "They worked hard to help us reach this point."
The Gate City quarterback said he appreciated the extra effort and leadership from his teammates.
"I wouldn’t trade this team for any team in the world," Anderson said. "These guys are like my brothers.
"Things didn’t out the way we wanted in this game, but we will go back to work and hopefully we can make it back here next year."
No doubt, the Big Blue Nation will be ready for another trip up the road.
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