As we awaited the kickoff for tonight's game at the Fort, there were probably many discussions going on in the stands about the last time the teams met. Who could forget that wild one in Greenville in which the Fort controlled the action for three quarters, only to see Riverheads stage a miracle rally, tie the score to force overtime, then win it on a game-saving tackle on a two-point conversion play? That was of course less than six months ago due to COVID delaying the 2020 season until this past spring.
Well tonight's game did not have that degree of drama as the visiting Gladiators won 46-20, but nevertheless fans on both sides were treated to the best their teams had to offer and no doubt left the field feeling good about the future of their programs. As they say on the TEEVEE, this was a tale of two halves as RHS went on a first-half rampage, scoring six touchdowns and five two-point conversions to take a 46-0 lead into the locker room, only to see the Indians refuse to quit as they produced three scores of their own, two in very impressive fashion I might add, to make the final score more respectable.
That first half by Riverheads was almost all about their ground game as a quartet of running backs (Brody Phillips, Brady Boehm, Carson Brooks, and Grayson Ward....my apologies if I am wrong on any name or if I have forgotten anyone important) ran roughshod over the Indians and scored at will, including a 30 point second quarter. They hardly needed to pass but did on their first touchdown drive as a 25 yard completion from Levi Dunlap to Austin Roberts caught the Indians off guard after about half a dozen running plays had put them in scoring position.
Although the Indians were struggling for the vast majority of the half, they did end it on a positive note as a nice run up the middle put them in Riverheads territory for the first time all night, but with only four seconds remaining. So they went with a little razzle dazzle as a reverse carried the ball down to about the 10 before a Gladiator knocked the ball carrier out of bounds to keep the 0 on the board at least momentarily.
However it took no time for the Fort to remove said goose egg as they returned the second half kickoff for a touchdown on what was undeniably the best individual effort of the night by any player. I believe I caught the player's name as being Jackie McLaughlin, but again don't quote me.
Anyway, the youngster received the kickoff around his own 15 and initially it looked like about four different Gladiators were there ready for a gang tackle. But he somehow avoided all of them, found his way out to the sideline and followed a wave of blockers all the way to the end zone. That made the score 46-6 but the Indian fans were just as proud as if they had won the game.
Moments later, another running back put a terrific spin move on the RHS defense, broke some tackles, and scored from about 40 yards out to make the score 46-12. One more fourth period Indian TD accounted for the final score.
With all that action by the home team, Riverheads didn't have many chances in the second half to pad its lead but the Gladiator subs were still fun to watch as one running back (McCauley perhaps?) who couldn't POSSIBLY weigh more than 75 pounds tried his best to gain yardage for the Big Red, proving that all sizes and shapes can excel at this sport!
All things considered a fun game to watch and one in which the lesson learned should be that the final outcome is not always as important as how hard you fight from the opening kickoff to the final horn.
The two Varsity teams will now meet Friday at Riverheads and I believe each JV team should be on the road next week. I know Riverheads travels to Staunton and if I have the schedule straight, the Indian JVs should be at Buffalo Gap for their next action, presumably also on Wednesday.
Well tonight's game did not have that degree of drama as the visiting Gladiators won 46-20, but nevertheless fans on both sides were treated to the best their teams had to offer and no doubt left the field feeling good about the future of their programs. As they say on the TEEVEE, this was a tale of two halves as RHS went on a first-half rampage, scoring six touchdowns and five two-point conversions to take a 46-0 lead into the locker room, only to see the Indians refuse to quit as they produced three scores of their own, two in very impressive fashion I might add, to make the final score more respectable.
That first half by Riverheads was almost all about their ground game as a quartet of running backs (Brody Phillips, Brady Boehm, Carson Brooks, and Grayson Ward....my apologies if I am wrong on any name or if I have forgotten anyone important) ran roughshod over the Indians and scored at will, including a 30 point second quarter. They hardly needed to pass but did on their first touchdown drive as a 25 yard completion from Levi Dunlap to Austin Roberts caught the Indians off guard after about half a dozen running plays had put them in scoring position.
Although the Indians were struggling for the vast majority of the half, they did end it on a positive note as a nice run up the middle put them in Riverheads territory for the first time all night, but with only four seconds remaining. So they went with a little razzle dazzle as a reverse carried the ball down to about the 10 before a Gladiator knocked the ball carrier out of bounds to keep the 0 on the board at least momentarily.
However it took no time for the Fort to remove said goose egg as they returned the second half kickoff for a touchdown on what was undeniably the best individual effort of the night by any player. I believe I caught the player's name as being Jackie McLaughlin, but again don't quote me.
Anyway, the youngster received the kickoff around his own 15 and initially it looked like about four different Gladiators were there ready for a gang tackle. But he somehow avoided all of them, found his way out to the sideline and followed a wave of blockers all the way to the end zone. That made the score 46-6 but the Indian fans were just as proud as if they had won the game.
Moments later, another running back put a terrific spin move on the RHS defense, broke some tackles, and scored from about 40 yards out to make the score 46-12. One more fourth period Indian TD accounted for the final score.
With all that action by the home team, Riverheads didn't have many chances in the second half to pad its lead but the Gladiator subs were still fun to watch as one running back (McCauley perhaps?) who couldn't POSSIBLY weigh more than 75 pounds tried his best to gain yardage for the Big Red, proving that all sizes and shapes can excel at this sport!
All things considered a fun game to watch and one in which the lesson learned should be that the final outcome is not always as important as how hard you fight from the opening kickoff to the final horn.
The two Varsity teams will now meet Friday at Riverheads and I believe each JV team should be on the road next week. I know Riverheads travels to Staunton and if I have the schedule straight, the Indian JVs should be at Buffalo Gap for their next action, presumably also on Wednesday.
