No big surprise, riverheads roughed up gap 49-14. I was impressed with riverheads team speed on defense. No surprise gap couldn’t stop their offense as gap has struggled on defense a good bit. Stuart Draft should be able to hit some passes on them and should be able to use their size to run straight ahead. Should be a whale of a game that could go either way but I don’t bet against riverheads football. I will also say that riverheads discipline wasn’t quite up to their usual high standard. May just be a lot of youth. Also, they may have some injuries as I did not see #34 on the field and I know he is a good player. Hats off to the riverheads coaching
RHS/Gap
- Thread starter BGfootball95
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18 carries for 242 yds and 6 tds for Smiley. There were a couple of questionable calls but none that were egregious. I will let longtime do his thing on particulars but it was different facing a single wing team. They run the spin series which is a lot of what Giles ran against Riverheads in 2013. I was impressed with their offense for the most part but the D needs work to stop Fort next week.
Smiley gets the big stats, and he is impressive but, on a lot of those runs there were no defenders present for the blockers to block. Zac is hard for any one defender to tackle him though
I respectfully disagree about being no one to block. On several runs especially to the right, there were defenders in the area but they were either blocked or ran past. In my humble opinion, Gaps calling card on D is their LB’s. They flow well and have enough speed but got caught in the wash or blown up on a good many plays. This team has a legitimate shot to take Fort out but they will have to play assignment football and read their keys.
Ordinarily with a 35 point blow out, you assume that the winning team was in control from the start and that there was no "turning point." But that was not the case here tonight as there was a clearly-defined point at which this game turned drastically in Riverheads' favor. As a result a 21-14 lead quickly became 35-14, the Big Red said "thank you very much" and we finished the game with the running clock in play.
The point I am referencing came at roughly the midway point of the second quarter. Each team had scored on its first two possessions for a 14-14 tie and Riverheads had just taken the next step by scoring a third TD to go up 21-14. To that point the Bison were showing every indication that they came to play as they had pulled off two big offensive plays and seemed ready to take RHS to the final horn, if not win the game for their seniors and their fans.
So with the defenses not yet warmed up for either team, the Bison started to march up the field to see if they could match that latest Gladiator TD. But they reached about a 4th and 4 around their own 42 and decided to gamble and go for it. The Gladiators not only stopped them cold, but they scored themselves in just two plays to make it 28-14.
On the next Gap possession, they found themselves in roughly the same situation, except that they were almost to midfield and needed only about a yard or two. But once again RHS rose to the task and held them. This time the Big Red needed only ONE play to score so in a matter of about three minutes of clock time, the game went from a one-score deficit to a three-TD halftime margin.
Those two TDs took the wind completely out of the sails of the Bison and they never threatened in the second half, whereas RHS scored a pair of quick TDs to start the running clock and we all got out of the cold a little bit earlier. So were those two gambles foolish? Our radio guys didn't mince words and said they definitely thought they were questionable decisions on the part of the Bison staff......saying that a good punt would have put Riverheads deep in its own territory with still just a one-score game and plenty of time to catch up. But if you wanted to argue the case from a Bison standpoint... it was Senior Night, you were the underdog, and at the time Riverheads had not shown that they were going to be able to stop the Bison offense. So they rolled the dice and on another night it might have worked and the results could have been different.
As already mentioned, Zac Smiley was the man of the hour, scoring what I would assume is a career-high six TDs, all on the ground. At least two or three of them were 40 yards or more, including the one that made it 35-14 whereas he earned the others from in close. However, speaking of "earning" their keep, they may not have scored but Cy Cox and Zac's younger brother Noah also had some key runs tonight. One Cox carry in particular kept a Gladiator streak alive which I will get to in a moment.
As for RHS' seventh TD, it came through the air on a pass from Elijah Dunlap to Braeson Fulton. If I am not mistaken it was the Big Red's only completion of the night, for the obvious reason that they did not need to pass. Although a TD is a TD, this one had a certain "wounded duck" quality to it, and one of the fans in my area even questioned if it came down with feathers on the ball! Just another sign that it was the Gladiators' night to shine!
As always our place-kicker Peyton Skillman did his thing, connecting on all 7 PATs. In the early going, when the Bison were matching us touchdown-for-touchdown it looked as if he could end up being a key factor, due to the fact that the Gap chose to go for two after each score. The Big Red has never trailed this season in any game but for the third time they found themselves in a 14-14 tie and had the game continued on an even keel, those two-point conversions could have proven to be crucial.
Allow me to explain the Cy Cox comment above, since it will lead to a question that we can open up for discussion. You see, Riverheads has had an uncanny season in which they have received the opening kickoff in eight of their nine games, last week being the only exception. Not only that but they entered tonight with a string of having scored on their opening possession in their first eight games, so naturally we were motivated to see that streak continue.
Well Smiley appeared to do the honors on one of his first carries when he swept around left end, hurdled a defender around the 20 and took it in for the score. However he was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct, with the ref presumably taking the position that the hurdle was illegal. This was at least the fourth or fifth hurdle I can recall in Smiley's career and before him, Harrison Schaefer also had that technique down to a science. But this is only about the second, maybe third time, that an official has said "no sir, can't do that young man." So can anyone clarify the rule on that..............is hurdling allowed? or is it legal in some circumstances but not in others?
As for how Cy fits into this discussion, the penalty of course put RHS back a little bit and they soon found themselves facing a 4th and 7. In that case, Cy swept around left end for about 8 yards to move the chains, which eventually led to a two-yard Smiley TD, his first of the night and kept the Big Red's record intact.
So victory number 9 is in the books as is Stuarts Draft's 9th win, as they easily handled Staunton tonight. So next week we will start discussions on that one. Hate to spoil the fun this early in the game, but one of my bleacher-mates pulled up next Friday's forecast on his phone, and all I will say at this point is "I didn't know it could get THAT cold around here in early November." So plan to bundle up!
The point I am referencing came at roughly the midway point of the second quarter. Each team had scored on its first two possessions for a 14-14 tie and Riverheads had just taken the next step by scoring a third TD to go up 21-14. To that point the Bison were showing every indication that they came to play as they had pulled off two big offensive plays and seemed ready to take RHS to the final horn, if not win the game for their seniors and their fans.
So with the defenses not yet warmed up for either team, the Bison started to march up the field to see if they could match that latest Gladiator TD. But they reached about a 4th and 4 around their own 42 and decided to gamble and go for it. The Gladiators not only stopped them cold, but they scored themselves in just two plays to make it 28-14.
On the next Gap possession, they found themselves in roughly the same situation, except that they were almost to midfield and needed only about a yard or two. But once again RHS rose to the task and held them. This time the Big Red needed only ONE play to score so in a matter of about three minutes of clock time, the game went from a one-score deficit to a three-TD halftime margin.
Those two TDs took the wind completely out of the sails of the Bison and they never threatened in the second half, whereas RHS scored a pair of quick TDs to start the running clock and we all got out of the cold a little bit earlier. So were those two gambles foolish? Our radio guys didn't mince words and said they definitely thought they were questionable decisions on the part of the Bison staff......saying that a good punt would have put Riverheads deep in its own territory with still just a one-score game and plenty of time to catch up. But if you wanted to argue the case from a Bison standpoint... it was Senior Night, you were the underdog, and at the time Riverheads had not shown that they were going to be able to stop the Bison offense. So they rolled the dice and on another night it might have worked and the results could have been different.
As already mentioned, Zac Smiley was the man of the hour, scoring what I would assume is a career-high six TDs, all on the ground. At least two or three of them were 40 yards or more, including the one that made it 35-14 whereas he earned the others from in close. However, speaking of "earning" their keep, they may not have scored but Cy Cox and Zac's younger brother Noah also had some key runs tonight. One Cox carry in particular kept a Gladiator streak alive which I will get to in a moment.
As for RHS' seventh TD, it came through the air on a pass from Elijah Dunlap to Braeson Fulton. If I am not mistaken it was the Big Red's only completion of the night, for the obvious reason that they did not need to pass. Although a TD is a TD, this one had a certain "wounded duck" quality to it, and one of the fans in my area even questioned if it came down with feathers on the ball! Just another sign that it was the Gladiators' night to shine!
As always our place-kicker Peyton Skillman did his thing, connecting on all 7 PATs. In the early going, when the Bison were matching us touchdown-for-touchdown it looked as if he could end up being a key factor, due to the fact that the Gap chose to go for two after each score. The Big Red has never trailed this season in any game but for the third time they found themselves in a 14-14 tie and had the game continued on an even keel, those two-point conversions could have proven to be crucial.
Allow me to explain the Cy Cox comment above, since it will lead to a question that we can open up for discussion. You see, Riverheads has had an uncanny season in which they have received the opening kickoff in eight of their nine games, last week being the only exception. Not only that but they entered tonight with a string of having scored on their opening possession in their first eight games, so naturally we were motivated to see that streak continue.
Well Smiley appeared to do the honors on one of his first carries when he swept around left end, hurdled a defender around the 20 and took it in for the score. However he was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct, with the ref presumably taking the position that the hurdle was illegal. This was at least the fourth or fifth hurdle I can recall in Smiley's career and before him, Harrison Schaefer also had that technique down to a science. But this is only about the second, maybe third time, that an official has said "no sir, can't do that young man." So can anyone clarify the rule on that..............is hurdling allowed? or is it legal in some circumstances but not in others?
As for how Cy fits into this discussion, the penalty of course put RHS back a little bit and they soon found themselves facing a 4th and 7. In that case, Cy swept around left end for about 8 yards to move the chains, which eventually led to a two-yard Smiley TD, his first of the night and kept the Big Red's record intact.
So victory number 9 is in the books as is Stuarts Draft's 9th win, as they easily handled Staunton tonight. So next week we will start discussions on that one. Hate to spoil the fun this early in the game, but one of my bleacher-mates pulled up next Friday's forecast on his phone, and all I will say at this point is "I didn't know it could get THAT cold around here in early November." So plan to bundle up!
Who was the better team when as a coach you face team on paper is better you got to take chances to give yourself a chance to win Cudos to him he trying to win the game. (Going for it on 4th down)
That first fourth down longtime is referencing had two calls that were the questionable part to me. Up to that point #5 had gashed the defense pretty good up the guy. He was not utilized on 3rd and 4 when they attempted the long pass that ended incomplete or on the ensuing 4th and 4 where they decided to run the much lighter #4 up the middle. Those two plays would more or less seal the Bison fate. From that point forward the predominate call from Gap was the sweep which was by and large strung out and stopped for little to no gain.
I agree you have to take some chances but the second 4th down referenced had an equally puzzling play call. Facing short yardage, not a lot of time left, and roughly mid field. The offense lines up to try and entice offsides, which had proved successful so good attempt. Then the staff calls timeout to get their ducks in a row. Out of this timeout, they roll a small back out to the right naked on a option pass attempt that was tackled for about a 6 yard loss. Again not something they had shown success with or even a counter to something the defense had bit on.
I do think if they stick with this offense it will pay off since no one else in the ’doah runs it. To me calling the single wing is an art as evidenced by teams like the powerful Giles teams of the recent past. I truly believe this Gap team has a legitimate shot to take Fort down and sneak in the playoffs. Interestingly enough if that were to come to fruition, the most likely 1st round opponent would be Draft and we all know what they say about the second time around against a team.
I agree you have to take some chances but the second 4th down referenced had an equally puzzling play call. Facing short yardage, not a lot of time left, and roughly mid field. The offense lines up to try and entice offsides, which had proved successful so good attempt. Then the staff calls timeout to get their ducks in a row. Out of this timeout, they roll a small back out to the right naked on a option pass attempt that was tackled for about a 6 yard loss. Again not something they had shown success with or even a counter to something the defense had bit on.
I do think if they stick with this offense it will pay off since no one else in the ’doah runs it. To me calling the single wing is an art as evidenced by teams like the powerful Giles teams of the recent past. I truly believe this Gap team has a legitimate shot to take Fort down and sneak in the playoffs. Interestingly enough if that were to come to fruition, the most likely 1st round opponent would be Draft and we all know what they say about the second time around against a team.
