CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Mount Airy met up with Tarboro in the 2023 1A State Championship game. A rematch of last year's state title game, and the third time these two programs have met in the championship round since 2017. Tarboro claimed the hardware in 2017 and last year, Mount Airy evened the scoreboard with a 20-7 victory.
On Saturday, Mount Airy earned the ninth NCHSAA Football State Championship with a 21-3 win at Kenan Memorial Stadium on the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill campus. c
Postgame Interviews after Mount Airy's win over Tarboro
The first half was a defensive battle. As the teams went into the half with Tarboro leading 3-0. In the third quarter, Deric Dandy picked up a massive tackle on 4th down as the Vikings went for it on 4th and 1. That turnover on downs gave Mount Airy the ball on the Tarboro 29-yard line, which the Granite Bears would quickly capitalize on.
Tyler Mason scored the first touchdown of the game on a 12-yard run after a 5-play Mount Airy drive, giving the Granite Bears a 7-3 lead.
On their next drive, quarterback Ian Gallimore shoveled the ball to Mario Revels for an 89-yard touchdown just 15 seconds into the 4th quarter.
With a 14-3 lead and with the momentum squarely on their side, Gallimore and the Granite Bears put together a 9-play, 32-yard drive, that ended with Gallimore finding Blake Hawks in the endzone, securing the championship for Mount Airy, stretching their lead to 21-3.
Mount Airy finished the season with a perfect 16-0 record, capping it off with another 1A State Championship. This was the 14th appearance in the final game of the season, moving their record to 9-5 in championship appearances since their first in 1935.
One player on each side of the ball was named Most Valuable Player for the Granite Bears. Mario Revels was named Offensive MVP, and Ian Gallimore won Defensive MVP. Revels averaged 8.7 rushing yards per play 100 receiving yards, and one touchdown, while Gallimore finished the game with 104 yards through the air, six tackles, and two touchdowns.
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