Riverheads fans got a glimpse into their future tonight as the Big Red JVs opened their season with a resounding win over the visiting Eagles, who were also playing their first game of the year. Ironically the visitors scored on a 95 yard pass play to take the lead in the first minute of the game, but after that it was ALL Riverheads as the Gladiators scored three touchdowns in each of the first two quarters and then added one each in the remaining two periods.
The East Rock TD caught everyone by surprise because they had muffed the kickoff, forcing themselves to scrimmage from around the 4. Just when it looked like RHS was going to stop them cold, force a punt, and get great field position, the Eagles tossed a simple short one about 8 yards over the middle. However, the Riverheads defender gambled on the interception and missed, which left the receiver (sorry did not catch the name) all alone to take it the distance. The two-point PAT failed.
It took RHS only a minute and a half to score the equalizer and in fact they punched across their first three scores in a matter of about 4 minutes. All of that damage was done on the ground, and at the risk of leaving anyone out, I will just say that this year's team has a whole stable full of running backs, which has been a Riverheads tradition for as long as anyone can remember. At least six different guys would eventually contribute by scoring either a TD or one of the Big Red's 7 out of 8 successful PAT conversions.
After all that ground action in the first quarter, the second quarter featured some of the strangest passing plays you will ever see in one game. First of all, the Eagles understandably went to the air to try and forge a comeback. But in one of the wildest statistics you will ever hear, Riverheads' freshman Jax Allebaugh intercepted the Eagles THREE TIMES just in the second quarter. And remember JVs only play 10 minute quarters!
Then on offense Riverheads tried its hand at the passing game with some interesting results. Starting QB Chris Brooks connected on his first attempt for about a 20 yard gain to J C Hagy that momentarily put the Big Red in the red zone. But a jarring tackle knocked the ball loose and the Eagles recovered, only to turn it right back over to the Gladiators on the next play.
Moments later Brooks found Hagy again from about 40 yards out and the 6 foot freshman went up for the ball, took it away from a couple of defenders, then juggled it for what appeared to be 15 of the final 20 yards before breaking into the clear and crossing the goal line. If there is such a thing as a highlight reel for JV football, that play would deserve to be included. Youtube video anyone????
Already holding a 46-6 halftime lead, the Gladiators opened the second half with some of the tiniest little guys you have ever seen running the second-string offense. But it made no difference as they still dominated the line of scrimmage and took over eight minutes off the clock before scoring to make it 54-6 at that point.
In the final few minutes, those same little guys found themselves driving again and they actually tried to avoid scoring by taking knees and deliberately earning delay of game penalties. But there was just too much time left on the clock so one of the smallest of the small, 5'2" Brendon Fortune, fell across the goal line for the final Big Red score of the night.
Needless to say it was a great opening night for first-year coach Ryan Armstrong, who is replacing the legendary Gene Wassick this year. The Gladiators are now off until they travel to Covington for a non-district contest on Wednesday the 25th. Of course the Big Red varsity has their big one in Elkton less than 48 hours from now.
The East Rock TD caught everyone by surprise because they had muffed the kickoff, forcing themselves to scrimmage from around the 4. Just when it looked like RHS was going to stop them cold, force a punt, and get great field position, the Eagles tossed a simple short one about 8 yards over the middle. However, the Riverheads defender gambled on the interception and missed, which left the receiver (sorry did not catch the name) all alone to take it the distance. The two-point PAT failed.
It took RHS only a minute and a half to score the equalizer and in fact they punched across their first three scores in a matter of about 4 minutes. All of that damage was done on the ground, and at the risk of leaving anyone out, I will just say that this year's team has a whole stable full of running backs, which has been a Riverheads tradition for as long as anyone can remember. At least six different guys would eventually contribute by scoring either a TD or one of the Big Red's 7 out of 8 successful PAT conversions.
After all that ground action in the first quarter, the second quarter featured some of the strangest passing plays you will ever see in one game. First of all, the Eagles understandably went to the air to try and forge a comeback. But in one of the wildest statistics you will ever hear, Riverheads' freshman Jax Allebaugh intercepted the Eagles THREE TIMES just in the second quarter. And remember JVs only play 10 minute quarters!
Then on offense Riverheads tried its hand at the passing game with some interesting results. Starting QB Chris Brooks connected on his first attempt for about a 20 yard gain to J C Hagy that momentarily put the Big Red in the red zone. But a jarring tackle knocked the ball loose and the Eagles recovered, only to turn it right back over to the Gladiators on the next play.
Moments later Brooks found Hagy again from about 40 yards out and the 6 foot freshman went up for the ball, took it away from a couple of defenders, then juggled it for what appeared to be 15 of the final 20 yards before breaking into the clear and crossing the goal line. If there is such a thing as a highlight reel for JV football, that play would deserve to be included. Youtube video anyone????
Already holding a 46-6 halftime lead, the Gladiators opened the second half with some of the tiniest little guys you have ever seen running the second-string offense. But it made no difference as they still dominated the line of scrimmage and took over eight minutes off the clock before scoring to make it 54-6 at that point.
In the final few minutes, those same little guys found themselves driving again and they actually tried to avoid scoring by taking knees and deliberately earning delay of game penalties. But there was just too much time left on the clock so one of the smallest of the small, 5'2" Brendon Fortune, fell across the goal line for the final Big Red score of the night.
Needless to say it was a great opening night for first-year coach Ryan Armstrong, who is replacing the legendary Gene Wassick this year. The Gladiators are now off until they travel to Covington for a non-district contest on Wednesday the 25th. Of course the Big Red varsity has their big one in Elkton less than 48 hours from now.
