Matthew Gorry | The Elkin Tribune
Elkin’s Ty Parsons avoids an Alleghany defender for the score Saturday in the Super Bowl.
Matthew Gorry | The Elkin Tribune
Elkin’s Brett Beaver celebrates after a big hit on an Alleghany ball-carrier Saturday in the Super Bowl. Coach Sly Best celebrates in the background.
Matthew Gorry | The Elkin Tribune
The Elks celebrate with Silly String after topping Alleghany in the Super Bowl Saturday.
Matthew Gorry | The Ekin Tribune
The Buckin’ Elks celebrate with their trophy and banners after beating Alleghany for their second-straight Super Bowl title Saturday.
HAYS - The future of Elkin High School football looks bright.
The Elkin junior pee wees powered their way to their second-straight undefeated season, capped off by a Super Bowl championship over Alleghany Saturday at North Wilkes.
“We worked hard all season and they believed in the coaches and we believed in them - they’re champions,” coach Farando “Sly” Best said. “Dedicated kids, dedicated coaches, dedicated parents and Elkin’s number one.
“I don’t think they understand what it really means yet. They’re young. But today was a big team effort,” he added.
The Elks dominated on both sides of the ball throughout the regular season, en route to a perfect 7-0 record. Elkin reeled off six-consecutive shutouts and outscored opponents by a combined score of 192-6.
In the opening-round of the playoffs, the Elks breezed past East Wilkes 30-6 to set up a championship matchup with Alleghany Saturday afternoon in Hays.
In the title game, Elkin got off to a slow start, fumbling on its opening possession. But two tackles for loss by Chris Propst and William Luffman forced the Trojans to punt on their first possession.
Then the Buckin’ Elks got rolling.
Boone Beaver broke free on third down up the middle for a 36-yard score for the games’ opening score. Ty Parsons ran in the two-point conversion to give Elkin an early 8-0 lead.
Chance Purvis recovered an Alleghany fumble to open the second quarter. From there, Parsons took over.
After a 20-yard gain, Parsons, “the fastest back in the league,” darted down the right sideline for a 65-yard score to put the Elks up 14-0 with 4:09 left to play in the half.
Elkin forced a turnover on downs when Damion Spiva batted down and nearly intercepted a fourth-down pass. Two plays later, Parsons ran it in from eight yards out. Brett Beaver hit Brady Shugart on a two-point conversion pass to extend the lead out to 22-0.
Purvis continued to be a force on defense, bringing down a Trojan ball-carrier behind the line on third- and fourth-down plays to force another turnover on downs.
Parsons found paydirt from 27 yards out for his third-straight touchdown run to extend the lead out to 28-0 before the halftime whistle.
In the second half, playing defense until Alleghany scores per little league rules, the Elks dominated.
On the Trojans’ first possession, Parsons picked off a pass down field. Brett Beaver then delivered the hit of the game in the backfield, laying out an Alleghany ball-carrier to force another turnover on downs.
After two more fourth-down stops, the Trojans avoided the shutout with an 11-yard touchdown run under a minute to play to cut the lead to 28-6.
The Elks ran out the clock to seal their second-straight Super Bowl title and 21st-consecutive win overall.
Elkin celebrated with Silly String and dousing coaches Trent Beaver and Best with water before receiving the championship trophy.
“They learned football. They didn’t just come out here and play, they learned technique and positions,” Best explained. “They ran every play to a ‘T’ - that’s why there’s perfection out here. That’s why we’re number one.”
“We’ve tried to tell them not to take this for granted because you’re not always this successful,” Beaver added. “They worked hard and they got rewarded for their hard work. We’re happy for these boys.”
With success at the little league level, Best and Beaver believe that should translate into a stronger program at the high school level in the future.
“If you look at the high school right now, we’re coming along there, you can see progress,” Best said. “When you see these kids coming up, hopefully its going to mean a lot for the program and Elkin is going to be number one in high school as well.”
With the season coming to a close, Beaver said Saturday was a bittersweet day.
“I hate to see it’s over,” he said. “We’ve enjoyed the boys and we’ve had fun with this group. It’s a happy and sad day because we’ve enjoyed being with these boys four days a week. We’re going to miss it.”
Reach Matthew Gorry at 835-1513 or mgorry@heartlandpublications.com.
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