SALEM- Impressive was an understatement when judging the performance of the Gladiators of Riverheads heading into Saturday's big game for it all versus Galax. Complete domination as Riverheads took opponents to class each and every week. Many folks would love to see a challenge and they would get their wish in Salem. Though it didn't look like it would be that way in the beginning.
Braeson Fulton got things going early for the Gladiators.
On the very first play Braeson Fulton would find a hole and burst a big run taking it inside the Maroon Tide 20 and just like that a message was sent. Little did many know that Galax got the message and didn't like it. Their defense stood their ground and forced Riverheads to go for it on 4th and 3. The defense would stuff the Riverheads running game and the momentum swung big time.
Denver Brown was a big impact player and got Galax started.
Later on both teams exchanging body blows it would only be late when Denver Brown would shock the stadium bursting out for a 33 yard touchdown to let folks know that they meant business with 0:25 seconds left in the first. Before that quarter was over Zach Smiley had to showcase his talent with a 59 yard run after breaking loose from the clutches of 3 Maroon Tide players. Smiley would cap off the drive with a 12 yard run to make it 7-7 with 10:44 remaining.
Zach Smiley showed he had the burst to leave defense on a big first quarter run.
After exchanging turnovers Riverheads would get 3 points from Skillman to make it 10-7 with 2:39 before the half. Gladiators didn't want to trail and pressed the issue. They would throw a costly pick six to Smiley who returned it 44 yards for the score making it 17-7 at the half.
In the 2nd half, Brown gave the Maroon Tide faithful a reason to cheer again cutting the lead to 3 with a 13 yard touchdown run. Smiley would answer in a little over a minute racing 45 yards for a touchdown to make it 24-14 Riverheads with 9:24 remaining in the 3rd. Cole Pickett would connected on key downs and answered with a 5 yard touchdown pass to Brown to make it 24-21 with 3:17 to go in the 3rd.
Galax had a lot of momentum that suddenly left late in the 4th.
Galax could feel their opportunity coming and a chance to knock off the favorite. They would get down to the 1 yard line of Riverheads and couldn't earn that 1 yard to retake the lead. The real Gladiator defense showed up and returned the favor of what Galax had done to them earlier. On 4th down though Galax would hit a 31 yard field goal by Eduardo Ortiz with 4:33 left to play.
In the next 31 seconds, things would change. The celebration of having the chance to knock off number one clouded the sights of the Galax defense. No one saw Cole Burton get the hand off from Elijah Dunlap who executed it to perfection. By time they realized he had the ball it would be too late. Burton took the ball 60 yards down the field and scored with 4:02 remaining in the game. 31-24 Riverheads.
THE RUN: Cole Burton gets the game winning touchdown.
Galax had a shot to answer but they got in their own way with penalties and sacks. They ended up facing 4th and 30 and would come up short as the ball fell helplessly to the ground. And just like that Riverheads captured their 4th in a row and with so many returning next season, 5 is on deck.
Coach Robert Casto proved the Gladiators can win the tight contests as well.
Smiely finished with 135 yards rushing and 3 total touchdowns. Brown ran for 144 yards to lead the Maroon Tide. Coach Mark Dixon's group exceeded all expectations in this one.
Riverheads will lose 13 seniors but return next season with a fleet of backs, a highly athletic quarterback, and they return Zach Smiley. The attention will grow next season but for now the Gladiators can enjoy their 4th in row and celebrate with Red Pride!
GALAX 7 0 14 3 - 24
RIVERHEADS 0 17 7 7 - 31
G- Brown 33 yard run (Ortiz kick)
R- Smiley 12 run (Skillman kick)
R- Skillman 24 yard field goal
R- Smiley 44 yard int return (Skillman)
G- Brown 13 yard run (Ortiz kick)
R- Smiley 45 yard run (Skillman kick)
G- Brown 5 yard pass from Pickett (Skillman
G- Ortiz 31 yard field goal
R- Burton 60 yard run (Skillman kick)
