The Big Red hit the road tonight to TA's very nice stadium for the first scrimmage of the season for both teams. As is usually the case with scrimmages, the format was very loose and the whole idea was for both coaches to see who they have and what might need work. As a result it was not easy for fans to keep up since everybody saw action and especially since some players were not wearing the normal numbers they will have this year.
Riverheads "won" both halves of the scrimmage but I am sure both coaches saw positives and were encouraged. The action began with each team getting 10 untimed downs. The Gladiators went on offense first and took full advantage as the duo of Cayden Cook-Cash and Luke Bryant combined for three long TD runs, each one covering at least 50 yards. Score was not being kept at that point, but if it was, the Big Red would have taken an early 21-0 lead.
The Knights then scored one TD on a nice pass play toward the end of their series. The teams then played two more series of untimed downs and to the best of my recollection, there was no further scoring and that was most likely because each team was playing primarily subs.
After a 10 minute break, the action resumed and the second half consisted of three 15 minute quarters, but with the time running continuously, even during changes of possession. As a result it took less than an hour to finish things up.
The Knights got the first break when RHS fumbled in its own territory and the home team cashed in on the mistake for a quick 7-0 lead. But Riverheads regained its composure and tied things up by the end of that quarter. TA then moved ahead 10-7, before the Gladiators scored two more TDs to finish out the "score" at 21-10.
As already hinted, the dynamic duo will carry RHS' rushing attack this season, but the Big Red also got nice runs from David Austin, Cole Fletcher and Adam Higgins. Starting QB Bennett Dunlap opened his senior campaign by connecting with Brody Phillips, only a freshman, and Austin Roberts for nice catches that kept those second half drives alive.
As for TA, they showed signs of being a quick-strike passing team this year and number 88 was an especially productive receiver. All things considered, a nice sportsmanlike game played in front of a sizable crowd in perfect weather.
The JV teams also scrimmaged but I got there late for that one. From what I could tell the two teams were pretty evenly matched and the Gladiators got a good running game from a Stuarts Draft transfer but I did not catch the name.
The Big Red will host its only remaining scrimmage when powerhouse Greenbrier East visits next Friday night for a varsity only scrimmage. To the best of my knowledge it will be the first time the two teams have ever met anywhere in any capacity. The Gladiators then open their regular season at Waynesboro two weeks from tonight.
Riverheads "won" both halves of the scrimmage but I am sure both coaches saw positives and were encouraged. The action began with each team getting 10 untimed downs. The Gladiators went on offense first and took full advantage as the duo of Cayden Cook-Cash and Luke Bryant combined for three long TD runs, each one covering at least 50 yards. Score was not being kept at that point, but if it was, the Big Red would have taken an early 21-0 lead.
The Knights then scored one TD on a nice pass play toward the end of their series. The teams then played two more series of untimed downs and to the best of my recollection, there was no further scoring and that was most likely because each team was playing primarily subs.
After a 10 minute break, the action resumed and the second half consisted of three 15 minute quarters, but with the time running continuously, even during changes of possession. As a result it took less than an hour to finish things up.
The Knights got the first break when RHS fumbled in its own territory and the home team cashed in on the mistake for a quick 7-0 lead. But Riverheads regained its composure and tied things up by the end of that quarter. TA then moved ahead 10-7, before the Gladiators scored two more TDs to finish out the "score" at 21-10.
As already hinted, the dynamic duo will carry RHS' rushing attack this season, but the Big Red also got nice runs from David Austin, Cole Fletcher and Adam Higgins. Starting QB Bennett Dunlap opened his senior campaign by connecting with Brody Phillips, only a freshman, and Austin Roberts for nice catches that kept those second half drives alive.
As for TA, they showed signs of being a quick-strike passing team this year and number 88 was an especially productive receiver. All things considered, a nice sportsmanlike game played in front of a sizable crowd in perfect weather.
The JV teams also scrimmaged but I got there late for that one. From what I could tell the two teams were pretty evenly matched and the Gladiators got a good running game from a Stuarts Draft transfer but I did not catch the name.
The Big Red will host its only remaining scrimmage when powerhouse Greenbrier East visits next Friday night for a varsity only scrimmage. To the best of my knowledge it will be the first time the two teams have ever met anywhere in any capacity. The Gladiators then open their regular season at Waynesboro two weeks from tonight.
