Huge day for Jaden Phillips who picked up the slack for the other Gladiator runners.
STAUNTON- The fireworks sparkled against the gloomy gray sky in the pregame for the back-to-back champion Riverheads Gladiators. With the cold air and occasional spit of rain in the air set the scene perfect for a December semi-final game in the Shenandoah. Their offense could've needed that spark for sure as Riverheads would cough up the football on their first possession.
Essex would not be able to capitalize starting at their 49 yard line as they couldn't find their offensive groove either. Riverheads defense would force a 3 and out and the Trojans would have to withstand the Gladiators strong attempts to block a punt. And once again the Gladiators would fumble again but this time giving the ball to Essex at the Gladiator 32.
Avante Banks hit causes Gladiator Zac Smiley to fumble.
KJ Dameron would explode to the left side but would have the big burst called back for holding. The penalty force Essex away from running down hill and Riverheads capitalized. Neither offense looked at if they could make a move as the quarter ended in a scoreless tie.
Takeyo Day converts a 3rd down to get the first down for the Trojans.
In the 2nd, Essex would complete some big passes and would march the ball into the redzone of the Gladiators. The defense would hold for Riverheads forcing a 4th and 8 from the Gladiator 16. Coach Todd Jones would call on Guadalupe Villeda with 5:42 left in the 2nd who would attempt a 33 yard field goal. He wouldn't get a chance to try as the ball went through the holders hands as they raced to get on top of it.
Riverheads would find a soft spot in the Trojans strong defensive front as Zac Smiley and Devin Morris garnered all the attention. It would be Jaden Phillips time to shine as he would go up the middle and break through for a 36 yard touchdown run to give life to the Red Pride Nation. Peyton Skillman would knock in the extra point to make it 7-0 Riverheads going into halftime.
Coach Robert Casto's group would get the ball after shutting Essex down on their drive as Devin Morris capped off the drive with a 6 yard touchdown run to put the Gladiators up 14-0 at the 7:34 mark. The mood of the home crowd would be at ease but not for long.
KJ Dameron directs blocks as he finds daylight for yardage.
Dameron would take a direct snap, break a few tackle attempts, and then he was gone for a 55-yard touchdown run. The conversion would fall just short with 5:25 left the traveling faithful from Essex was excited to cut into the deficit.
3 minutes later, the soft spot that Casto and company had found would be exploited again as Phillips would go for a 29 yard touchdown run with 2:41 left in the 3rd and the Trojans would begin to get frustrated. The execution on defense was falling short and patience was wearing thin as the 3rd quarter ended with the Gladiators holding a 21-6 lead.
Avante Banks escapes enough from Ethan Hartless tackle to prevent a sack.
Essex would try to have some more success in the air but no more would there be 1 Gladiator on an island to himself but a host of players ready to make the easy through in the 1st half quite difficult. Riverheads adjustment would lead to a Dameron pass to be intercepted by Drew Bond who who appeared to have a pick six but a personal foul would negate the touchdown.
This would not stop Riverheads from reaching their goal. Phillips would have his easiest touchdown run with 6:17 left in the 4th quarter. He would stroll in from 27 yards out untouched to make it 28-6. Phillips rushed for 155 yards on the day and 3 touchdowns.
Blake Smith would get an interception to kill a Trojan last attempt to rally and the countdown to a celebration was on for the home crowd.
The other side was filled with many tears and disappointment but the transformation Essex went through was remarkable in itself. Coach Todd Jones in his second season returning has taken then Trojans to the state-semis once again.
Coach Casto is going for a 3-peat next weekend as Riverheads 2nd half play gets it done.
Riverheads (13-1) will once again face Chilhowie (14-0) at 12 noon at Salem City Stadium. The two met last season in the title game and Chilhowie couldn't endure the Gladiators rushing attack. The weather bears watching as a system could bring some interesting weather for that mecca of a contest.
ESSEX 0 0 6 0 - 6
RIVERHEADS 0 7 14 7 - 28
R- Phillips 36 yard run (Skillman kick)
R- Morris 6 yard run (Skillman kick)
E- Dameron 55 yard run (run failed)
R- Phillips 29 yard run (Skillman kick)
R- Phillips 27 yard run (Skillman kick)
