INDEPENDENCE, Va. – Grayson County Public Schools got about as tough a start to the school year as anyone could ask for.
“It was definitely a hard time that we had to overcome to get where we are at, but we overcame it,” said Mac Goad, senior wide receiver.
Two months in, they were one of the hardest hit by Helene keeping them out of class for weeks.
“There were a lot of folks and even kids on our team who didn’t have power for over a week probably,” said Stephen James, the football team’s head coach.
“It added like an extra 25- 30-minute drive to everybody getting to and from the school,” said Mac Goad.
But after dealing with injuries and a hurricane, in a Cinderella-like story, the county’s football team has taken those hardships and used it as fuel for success.
“Even during the summer, we always had in the back of our minds that we are capable of getting to where we are,” said Maverik Goad, Junior Quarterback. “We just had to put it together in practice and everybody come out and do their jobs and we have done that so far.”
For the first time in school history, the Grayson County High School football team is competing for a state title December 14th.
The day before the game, the school showed their support for the team before they head down to Salem.
“They are a good group of young men,” said James. “They work hard. They pretty much do everything that we ask of them. They’re good kids in the community and they just do a great job.”
Around town, folks are also excited.
One spot in town you can see the excitement is at the Grayson Express.
Store clerk and brother to two football players, Tanner Jones, said the game is all people are talking about.
“Everybody has been talking about how they are getting ready for Saturday and everybody in the town is coming,” said Jones.
He said he knows the guys have been working for this and there is no one more deserving.
Their coach said all they have to do is play their game for four quarters.