Tonight at Buffalo Gap we witnessed a classic Tortoise vs. Hare match-up, and just like in that old fable, slow and steady won the race as the visiting Gladiators survived despite being smacked in the kisser with not one, but two, haymakers in the first six minutes of the game. But just as Coach Casto would later comment during the radio interview, this was not his first rodeo, and in classic Riverheads fashion, he kept the team focused on the game plan as they outscored the Bison 31-7 over the final three and a half quarters to take the hard-fought win.
Just as I had told you guys to expect, the Bison needed this one so they came out fired up. Riverheads took the opening kickoff and drove to about the 10 yard line. But just when it looked like they were poised to punch it in, they fumbled on a 4th and inches play and the Bison recovered. The Gap wasted no time whatsoever catching Riverheads off guard with a fly pattern over the middle to go up 7-0, less than three minutes into the game.
On the second RHS possession, the Gladiators gambled on a fourth down inside their own territory and came up short, putting the Bison right back in business. Rivenburg swept left end from about 40 yards out and the delirious Gap faithful started celebrating with a 14-0 lead, still less than halfway through the first quarter.
The Gladiators however started down the comeback trail on the next possession as they drove about 60 yards before a Devin Morris toss-sweep to the left put them on the board. He would factor into the game later and deservedly won the radio team's Player of the Game honors.
Midway through the second quarter, the Gladiators were virtually handed the tying touchdown when the Bison mishandled a bizarre center snap and RHS recovered inside the five yard line. Dalton Jordan took it in on the next play and Peyton Skillman booted the PAT for a 14-14 tie.
But the Bison did it again, as yet another long pass took them down to a first and goal at the two. To their credit the Gladiators made them work for it, and they had to score by virtue of recovering their own fumble in the end zone.
That score made it 21-14 with only 49 seconds left but Riverheads was not ready for the water break yet. They drove down the field, helped along by a personal foul penalty, and Skillman booted about a 35 yarder as the horn sounded. That kick was not the "winning score" in the strictest sense, but was definitely a momentum swing.
The Bison were due to receive the second half kickoff and everyone on the field knew that their first possession would be crucial to the outcome. Instead of re-establishing momentum and taking control of the game, they shot themselves in the foot almost immediately with a penalty, and quickly went three and out.
That was all Riverheads needed to take the lead for good and they did just that moments later on Morris' second TD of the night, as he got around right end this time and outraced the defense.
Trailing 24-21, the Bison almost had one last score in them as they drove down into the red zone late in the third. But on a pass into the left corner of the end zone, Mr. Morris, who only stands about 5'7", leaped high and intercepted to snuff that threat.
Riverheads then put the game away on a rare touchdown pass to Drew Bond that came on fourth and 8 with about 4 minutes left. It was Bond's first career TD and I believe his first reception of the season. It took place on the far side of the field and must have been a close play because the refs had to consult each other before calling it a touchdown.
The Bison then got a dandy of a kickoff return to keep a glimmer of hope alive, but Riverheads held around its own 30 and then ran out the clock for the win.
With the victory, the Gladiators are now 4-0 and should have an easier time of it the next two weeks with Stonewall and Wilson, before taking on two other teams (Luray and R E Lee) that are each also undefeated as of the moment. The Gap meanwhile drops to 2-3 overall and in the accurate words of our radio guys are probably "the best 2-3 team around."
Just as I had told you guys to expect, the Bison needed this one so they came out fired up. Riverheads took the opening kickoff and drove to about the 10 yard line. But just when it looked like they were poised to punch it in, they fumbled on a 4th and inches play and the Bison recovered. The Gap wasted no time whatsoever catching Riverheads off guard with a fly pattern over the middle to go up 7-0, less than three minutes into the game.
On the second RHS possession, the Gladiators gambled on a fourth down inside their own territory and came up short, putting the Bison right back in business. Rivenburg swept left end from about 40 yards out and the delirious Gap faithful started celebrating with a 14-0 lead, still less than halfway through the first quarter.
The Gladiators however started down the comeback trail on the next possession as they drove about 60 yards before a Devin Morris toss-sweep to the left put them on the board. He would factor into the game later and deservedly won the radio team's Player of the Game honors.
Midway through the second quarter, the Gladiators were virtually handed the tying touchdown when the Bison mishandled a bizarre center snap and RHS recovered inside the five yard line. Dalton Jordan took it in on the next play and Peyton Skillman booted the PAT for a 14-14 tie.
But the Bison did it again, as yet another long pass took them down to a first and goal at the two. To their credit the Gladiators made them work for it, and they had to score by virtue of recovering their own fumble in the end zone.
That score made it 21-14 with only 49 seconds left but Riverheads was not ready for the water break yet. They drove down the field, helped along by a personal foul penalty, and Skillman booted about a 35 yarder as the horn sounded. That kick was not the "winning score" in the strictest sense, but was definitely a momentum swing.
The Bison were due to receive the second half kickoff and everyone on the field knew that their first possession would be crucial to the outcome. Instead of re-establishing momentum and taking control of the game, they shot themselves in the foot almost immediately with a penalty, and quickly went three and out.
That was all Riverheads needed to take the lead for good and they did just that moments later on Morris' second TD of the night, as he got around right end this time and outraced the defense.
Trailing 24-21, the Bison almost had one last score in them as they drove down into the red zone late in the third. But on a pass into the left corner of the end zone, Mr. Morris, who only stands about 5'7", leaped high and intercepted to snuff that threat.
Riverheads then put the game away on a rare touchdown pass to Drew Bond that came on fourth and 8 with about 4 minutes left. It was Bond's first career TD and I believe his first reception of the season. It took place on the far side of the field and must have been a close play because the refs had to consult each other before calling it a touchdown.
The Bison then got a dandy of a kickoff return to keep a glimmer of hope alive, but Riverheads held around its own 30 and then ran out the clock for the win.
With the victory, the Gladiators are now 4-0 and should have an easier time of it the next two weeks with Stonewall and Wilson, before taking on two other teams (Luray and R E Lee) that are each also undefeated as of the moment. The Gap meanwhile drops to 2-3 overall and in the accurate words of our radio guys are probably "the best 2-3 team around."
