My choice of words is a reference to a 15-minute delay in the start of tonight's game due to a power failure that briefly darkened the entire stadium. The problem was quickly and efficiently resolved and the Big Red then proceeded to "cattle prod" the visiting Cougars into submission in a game that had the running clock in effect within the first 15 seconds of the second half. We were also blessed by the fact that the rain stopped before kickoff and the expected cold front had not yet set in.
The Big Red's 1-2 punch of Cayden Cook-Cash and Luke Bryant, who have led the offense this season, were not nearly as much of a factor as they have been, although CCC did have an impressive 68 yard kickoff return to open the second half in which he started on the far side in front of the Cougar bench, weaved his way all the way across the field while the wedge was being set up, and then outraced the defense down the near sideline untouched. That touchdown made it 38-0 and set the running clock in motion.
But it was really a night for other Gladiators to show their stuff. David Austin at 5'5" and 135 pounds scored the first two Big Red TD's and later added a two-point conversion, Chris Brooks tossed a perfect 48 yard spiral to a wide open J C Hagy, and after the lone Cougar score trimmed the lead to 38-7, the Gladiator subs got in on the act.
That led to some of the tiniest little guys you have ever seen not only holding their own against the Cougars but outscoring them two touchdowns to none the rest of the way. Michael Cole got the honors late in the third quarter and as the game was winding down, fan favorite Brendon Fortune (who could not POSSIBLY weigh the 130 that the program says he does!) delighted the home crowd by sweeping left end for 29 yards and the final Big Red TD.
Arguably this was Riverheads' most impressive win of an abbreviated season, but more importantly, it was the one that allows them to finish 7-0 and hand Coach Ryan Armstrong a perfect record in his first year on the job. Considering the relative youth on the varsity team and of course the fact that ALL of tonight's players have 3-4 more years of eligibility left, it is easy to conclude that the RHS program is on solid ground for the next few years.
And speaking of the varsity team, by this time tomorrow night, we will all know how the "big one" has turned out. It will be cold out there but should be well worth it. My sources tell me that the blankets and such reserving seats have had the bleachers completely covered for a day or two already as this will clearly be the most heavily-anticipated Riverheads/Stuarts Draft game in years, maybe ever.
And on another side note, congratulations to the Lady Gladiators, who easily defeated ARGS tonight in three sets in the opening round of the Region B volleyball tournament. They will now swing into semi-final action early next week and one more win will earn them a return trip to the state tournament.
The Big Red's 1-2 punch of Cayden Cook-Cash and Luke Bryant, who have led the offense this season, were not nearly as much of a factor as they have been, although CCC did have an impressive 68 yard kickoff return to open the second half in which he started on the far side in front of the Cougar bench, weaved his way all the way across the field while the wedge was being set up, and then outraced the defense down the near sideline untouched. That touchdown made it 38-0 and set the running clock in motion.
But it was really a night for other Gladiators to show their stuff. David Austin at 5'5" and 135 pounds scored the first two Big Red TD's and later added a two-point conversion, Chris Brooks tossed a perfect 48 yard spiral to a wide open J C Hagy, and after the lone Cougar score trimmed the lead to 38-7, the Gladiator subs got in on the act.
That led to some of the tiniest little guys you have ever seen not only holding their own against the Cougars but outscoring them two touchdowns to none the rest of the way. Michael Cole got the honors late in the third quarter and as the game was winding down, fan favorite Brendon Fortune (who could not POSSIBLY weigh the 130 that the program says he does!) delighted the home crowd by sweeping left end for 29 yards and the final Big Red TD.
Arguably this was Riverheads' most impressive win of an abbreviated season, but more importantly, it was the one that allows them to finish 7-0 and hand Coach Ryan Armstrong a perfect record in his first year on the job. Considering the relative youth on the varsity team and of course the fact that ALL of tonight's players have 3-4 more years of eligibility left, it is easy to conclude that the RHS program is on solid ground for the next few years.
And speaking of the varsity team, by this time tomorrow night, we will all know how the "big one" has turned out. It will be cold out there but should be well worth it. My sources tell me that the blankets and such reserving seats have had the bleachers completely covered for a day or two already as this will clearly be the most heavily-anticipated Riverheads/Stuarts Draft game in years, maybe ever.
And on another side note, congratulations to the Lady Gladiators, who easily defeated ARGS tonight in three sets in the opening round of the Region B volleyball tournament. They will now swing into semi-final action early next week and one more win will earn them a return trip to the state tournament.
