As usual I am not able to get on the computer and add my comments until the wee hours but it sounds like I have missed some things here today. First of all, what in the world is all that talk about racist officials and phone calls to the VHSL? I was not aware of any particular controversy during today's game but of course I was not right down on the field.
Secondly, someone was worried that the NFHS broadcast was not working. Was that just related to the 10 minute delay and did it eventually come on? I sure hope so because I always enjoy watching the game again to see what I can pick up on that I missed.
Anyway, I don't see where anyone has posted any actual recap, so briefly, the Gladiators won 45-14 behind four touchdowns from Cayden Cook-Cash, and single scores from Luke Bryant and Aidan Miller. Cooper Robson was perfect on PATs and also added a very short field goal that was roughly the same distance as a PAT. Ashworth and Reeves scored the two Galax touchdowns.
The Gladiators drove long-distance for their two first half touchdowns, going 95 and 87 yards, each culminating in a Triple C score. His first one, late in the first quarter, covered about 38 yards and featured a couple of his famous stiff-arms.
His second score was only about 4 yards and came early in the second quarter. Galax also had a decent drive in the second quarter, but the Gladiators stopped them on downs, so the half ended with the game still very much in doubt at 14-0.
The Gladiators then pretty much put it away with a 17 point third quarter. Galax went three and out, and CCC scored from about 62 yards out, pretty much untouched this time. But Galax then got its passing game going and moved in to score on an Ashworth keeper that cut the margin to 21-7 with plenty of time still left in the game.
If you had to pick one turning point, it may have been the next play. With the Tide having just scored and hoping to establish momentum, they went for the onside kick. However, the kicker topped it and it rolled a harmless three yards. By rule that gave RHS the ball at the Tide 42. From there they moved into position for Robson's field goal, which made it a three score game at 24-7.
The Big Red stopped Galax on its next possession and Triple C fielded a punt around the RHS 25. Luke Bryant then put the nail in the coffin as he swept left end for about 75 yards to make it 31-7. According to the news reports, he and CCC combined for about 380 yards rushing in the game.
The teams then traded fourth quarter scores with Reeves scooting around right end from about 35 yards out and Miller scoring off tackle from about the 6. As the game wound down, the Gladiator sideline got so carried away that the Gatorade bucket ended up 10 yards out on to the field!
Congrats to both teams on fine seasons and there is every reason to think they will meet each other again frequently in the future. As mentioned on here, this was RHS' sixth straight title and ninth overall, but perhaps more importantly, they are now all alone on a national level as their 50 straight wins puts them first in the country in terms of an active winning streak. Reportedly Bixby, Oklahoma is one game behind with 49 straight victories.
With some key players returning next year, the Big Red should be in good shape to add to some of those records, but it may not be that easy. The Lord Botetourt game in the third week of the season, assuming the schedule repeats itself in the usual two-year fashion, should be hyped as much as it was this year, but I for one will worry about the season-opener when we travel to Waynesboro. After the way they came alive down the stretch this fall, Ryan Barbour and his crew will certainly head into the season with major confidence on their side, so nobody should just "assume" a Riverheads victory in that one.
Last but not least, I second someone's comment about the traffic on 81 being as insane as ever. So I hope everyone made it home safely.
Big Red basketball is up next as the Gladiators will battle Bath twice to open the season, starting Thursday at home, before then facing defending state champ Parry McCluer twice. I think we will have a little David vs. Goliath thing going on in those two games!