Galax not only had the Virginia High School League coach of the year in Shane Allen. The state champ school also boasted the offensive and defensive players of the year, both of whom were named to the first team all state in offense and defense.
Running back Tedruhn Tucker was named offensive player of the year by the VHSL.
At 6 feet and 215 pounds, Tucker rushed for 2,374 on 405 attempts for a 5.9-yard average for 28 rushing touchdowns this season for the Maroon Tide. A first-team all-state selection as a sophomore and junior, he added four receptions for 65 yards and two touchdowns. In the state finals, Tucker gained 117 yards rushing on 32 attempts, along with one catch for nine yards in Galax’s 7-6 win over Essex. In addition, he added a critical fourth-quarter sack in the endzone for a safety. Training 6-4, he converted a third-and-one at the Essex 34-yard line to set up the game-winning field goal with 12 seconds remaining.
Tucker was also named to the defense first team as a defensive linemen.
Linebacker Austin Ashworth was named defensive player of the year.
At 6 feet, 1 inch and 200 pounds, Ashworth was a dominant force in his linebacker position for the Maroon Tide. He finished his senior year with 175.5 tackles,150 solo stops, 24 tackles for loss, seven sacks, three interceptions, three forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries. An all-state second-team selection last year, he scored three defensive touchdowns in 2023. In the state title win, Ashworth led a stingy Galax defense that limited the high-powered Essex offense, averaging 41 points per game to 155 total yards and one touchdown.
Ashworth was named to the first team offense as a tight end.
Other players being named to the first team include Holden Haynes, a junior at Galax, named to the offensive line, and Patrick Henry junior kicker Grant Buchanan.
On defense, George Wythe’s Tandom Smith was named first team linebacker.
Allen led Galax to the school’s second state title and first since 2015 with a 7-6 win over Essex in the Class 1 state championship game to complete a title run that began the season with a 1-3 start. Since taking over the program in 2020, he has led the Maroon Tide to a 38-12 record and three state championship game appearances.
