Myron Wynn is quite the soothsayer.

Heading into the post-game celebratory huddle following host George Wythe’s heart-stopping 21-14 Region C, Division 2 first-round victory over Grayson County on Friday, Wynn knew – and expressing so audibly – that his fourth-quarter rush against Blue Devil quarterback Ethan Hash would result in the game’s biggest fumble.

And Wynn was certainly right. Following a fumble from George Wythe running back Isaac Young with 51 seconds remaining, the Blue Devils – who never led in Friday’s contest – incredulously found themselves at their opponent’s 9-yard line down just seven points. But after a Hash incompletion on first down, the Grayson County senior signal-caller – who threw for 162 yards on 8-of-21 passing – never got a chance to complete his leftward roll-out.

"When you step it up and play with all of your heart, that’s how you win games," admitted Wynn. "Defense definitely wins games."

Hunter Tolley plows through Grayson defenders
Bristol Herald Courier

That’s because Wynn’s immediate pursuit forced a fumble, which was immediately pounced upon by teammate Hardy Lester – dramatically securing a second-round date at Radford next Friday.

"Our defense played well for most of the game … and we did give up a few plays," said George Wythe coach H.S. Ingo, whose squad allowed just 71 rushing yards on 36 attempts. "But before the game, we said that offense sells tickets and defense wins championships."

Maroons’ cornerback Aisiah Fullen, who recorded two interceptions, put the hosts in business midway through the second quarter. With Hash scrambling to avoid yet another George Wythe rush towards the right sideline, Fullen awaited the desperation toss before securing the pigskin and racing 49 yards on his return – giving the locals an awfully short field.

"I saw that ball laying up there, and I hoped that a receiver wasn’t going to come in there and catch it," noted Fullen. "It was a good thing that they didn’t, because I was already putting my hands up there."

Hash, who fired a 62-yard TD strike to teammate Eric Harvey (113 receiving yards) midway through the third for a 14-14 tie, was sacked three times and under a constant rush during his rollout attempts.

"The rushing helps a lot with that, because it gives the corners a good chance to pick it off," said Wynn of Fullen’s second-quarter pick. "That was a really good chance for us to step it up."

Hash, part of a team that went 0-10 just two years ago, bulled his way in from a yard out to net the game’s first tie at 7-7 during first-quarter action. The senior also toted the pigskin on several well-timed quarterback draws, racking up a game-high 17 rushing attempts for the Blue Devils (6-5).

Young, meanwhile, accounted for all three of George Wythe’s rushing scores, including his 20-yard run on a sweep to the right sideline for the go-ahead score with 2:30 left in the third. Young ended the night with a game-high 113 rushing yards.

It’s just another crazy playoff game in an always unpredictable Region C, Division 2 playoff field.

"It’s very open this year," stated Grayson County coach Brett McPherson. "I wouldn’t be shocked if George Wythe ends up winning it, and I wouldn’t be shocked if they got beat next week. You never know what’s going to happen."

For the Maroons (8-3), a shot at revenge awaits them next Friday (7:30 p.m.) against the top-seeded Bobcats. The Bobcats knocked out George Wythe unceremoniously one year ago from postseason action.

"We lost here last year," Wynn quickly added. "This is the year we want to keep going. We have some seniors leaving us this year, and we don’t want them to leave too early."

Grayson County 7 0 7 0 – 14

George Wythe 7 7 7 0 – 21

Scoring Summary

GW – Young 19 run (Hawks kick)

GC – Hash 1 run (Ruiz kick)

GW – Young 5 run (Hawks kick)

GC – Harvey 62 pass from Hash (Ruiz kick)

GW – Young 20 run (Hawks kick)

Total Stats

First Downs: GC 14, GW 13; Rushes-Yards: GC 36-71, GW 48-244; Passing Yards; GC 162, GW 62; Comp-Att-Int: GC 8-21-2, GW 3-7-0; Fumbles-Lost: GC 3-1, GW 3-1; Penalties-Yards: GC 5-35, GW 7-69; Punts-Avg.: GC 4-31, GW 3-35.7