(1989) Powell Valley vs. Lunenburg - "The Catch"

In 1989, the Powell Valley Vikings were on a roll, losing only to Gate City in the regular season and breezing through the playoff games only to come face-to-face with the Lunenburg Central Chargers for the state title. Their hopes for their only title since 1982 were put into jeopardy, however, when With only 58 seconds left in the game Lunenburg scored, breaking a 14-14 tie. The PAT was missed, however, putting the Chargers up 20-14 and setting up a one-point deficit that would eventually cost them the game.

The following kickoff was returned by Powell Valley's Matt Stidham to the Viking 45 yard line. With 52 seconds left, Powell Valley quarterback Robbie Duncan passed to Tim Baker for an 18 yard gain. Stidham then surprised Lunenburg by running the football all the way to the 33 yard line. With just 20 seconds left in the game, Duncan rolled right and heaved the ball 40 yards all the way to the end zone. Receiver Ricky Webb went up between two Charger defenders and came down with the ball, falling down in the endzone for the tying touchdown. Tim baker's dramatic extra point kick was good, and the Vikings had to hold on for just 11 more seconds to claim the state title, defeating Lunenburg Central by a score of 21-20.

Also noteworthy and heard announced near the end of the video is that Appalachia won the state championship on the same day, going into the playoffs with an unimpressive 5-5 record only to win every game thereafter and defeat Madison in the state final 24-14.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• 1989
• Powell
• Valley
• Vikings
• Lunenburg
• Central
• Chargers
• The
• Catch
• Southwest
• Virginia
• Football
• State
• Championship
• Title
• Phil
• Robbins
• Robbie
• Duncan
• Ricky
• Webb

[truhcd]

Was a great game, tough reliving that moment. Too bad we didn't have instant replay for that one.

[SWVAFootball]

@truhcd Were you one of Lunenburg's players or fans in the stands during that game?

[TheStidham5]

do yall have any more vidoes of matt stidham

[SWVAFootball]

@TheStidham5 Yes, I do have some more footage of the '89 Vikings. I'll consider posting it in the near future!

[djtrumpet11]

And Pound themselves used to field some really good teams. Only chance Pound got to win some gold to my knowledge was in 1999, after a dramatic half state victory against Rural Retreat but lost 21 to 6 to Surry Co in the finals.

[djtrumpet11]

There is an error in your caption. This was actually Powell Valley's 3rd state championship. They won their second in 1985 against this same team, by 1 point. Only game they lost was to Pound by a score of 14 to 6. From 1986 until both PVHS and Pound closed due to consolidation, was also PV's longest win streak ever against one certain team as they dominated the series against Pound in every shape, form, and fashion since 1986.

[truhcd]

@SWVAFootball - I played for Lunenburg - #34 (RB and DB on otherside of the field).

[TheStidham5]

my dad agian

[djtrumpet11]

Funny. Both Duncan AND Webb are related to me.