Riverheads 21 Buffalo Gap 14
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Crazy game. Gap is good. Impressed by them. They have a bunch of wins in front of them.
Best Thursday night game I've seen.
Best Thursday night game I've seen.
Just a question but does anyone there think the outcome would have been different with a dry field? I was not overwhelmed by speed from Gap but they are built for straight power. Definitely an improvement over some of the previous teams. Cline and Bowers have put a stamp on that team.
I think it slowed the Red team, but the Gappers had a great plan of attack. They executed better for the majority.
Garret Campbell seemed to struggle the most and Schaefer, particularly on one pass defense.
Probably similar outcome, maybe not as dramatic.
Garret Campbell seemed to struggle the most and Schaefer, particularly on one pass defense.
Probably similar outcome, maybe not as dramatic.
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You could apply just about any sports cliche you have ever heard to this game. In some ways it was not an especially well-played game as the ball hit the turf a lot more than it should have, despite the weather, and also the teams had some composure issues as each was hit with an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty that directly led to a score. I think you can attribute all of that to the intensity with which these two teams go after each other, and in that regard the passion was definitely there. But chances are neither coach was pleased with his team's poise.
The teams traded opening possessions in which each one fumbled the ball. The Gap recovered RHS' fumble near midfield but could not capitalize and the Gladiators then held the Bison on their first possession. Then on Riverheads' second chance with the ball, Schaeffer broke it big down the right sideline with about a 55-yard jaunt, almost identical to his first score against Luray last week.
The Bison then drove 80 yards for the equalizer and in fact took the lead at 8-7 still in the first quarter. Most of the yardage came on a wide open pass play but then David Mullins, their big workhorse of the evening, scored from about four yards out. They then passed out in to the right flat for the two-point conversion and for the first time this season, the Big Red trailed in a game.
As the first quarter drew to a close, the Gladiators seemed well on their way to retaking the lead. They then opened the second quarter by driving deep into the red zone but came up empty. All told they would have three drives into Bison territory as the ENTIRE second quarter was played in the Gap end of the field. But to their credit, the Gap defense held each time and the visitors took their one point lead into the locker room.
The Bison then took the second half kickoff and drove straight down the field (Riverheads style you might say), taking 6 1/2 minutes off the clock before scoring to move ahead 14-7. They were helped along by a Gladiator who was flagged for protesting the call on a measurement inside the ten-yard line. The Gap actually completed the pass on the PAT that would have made it a two-score game, but he was beyond the end line.
The teams then traded possessions for about the equivalent of a full quarter and it was really beginning to look as if the visitors were going to be the ones leaving Greenville with their perfect record intact.
But just as quality teams do, the Gladiators found a way to pull it out. They did so by turning to their defense as a couple of incredible individual plays opened the door. First, with BG clinging to its 14-7 lead deep in its own end of the field and the clock showing roughly 6 minutes, Gladiator Hunter Allen stormed through the line untouched and dropped the Bison QB for a huge loss at the three yard line. That led to a punt that the Big Red was able to field in Gap territory.
That was all Mr. Schaeffer needed and 2-3 plays later, he again swept the right side and tightroped up the sideline, eluding a couple of tackles along the way, and scored from 44 yards out. Some coaches might have gone for two in that situation, but Coach Casto put his faith in his kicker and Tristan Robson knotted up the score with just over 5 minutes remaining.
When the Bison got the ball back, they elected to go to the air and that is when the Gladiators got their second and most important defensive gem. The Gap quarterback lofted a pass down the right sideline in front of his own bench but a Riverheads defender stretched his body out and hauled in the INT. The announcer at the time gave it to Landon Diehl but in the radio wrap-up, they credited Tyler Smith for it. Whoever it was, it was the play of the night for RHS.
With almost five minutes to go, a tie score, and possession near midfield, the Gladiators were in no hurry and played their game. As they crept into the red zone, BG elected to use its timeouts, so as to have some time left if Riverheads did in fact score. The Gladiators kept the oversized crowd on the edge of their seats as they finally scored on a fourth and goal from the one on a Garrett Campbell sneak with just 1:07 remaining. As mentioned earlier, the Gap shot themselves in the foot in the late stages as a face mask and an unsportsmanlike penalty on back to back plays helped Riverheads cover about 12 of the final 20 yards.
With the Bison out of time-outs and Robson kicking the ball deep, the Gladiators appeared sure of the win at that moment. But there was still a little bit of drama left.
The Bison completed one wounded duck throw into Riverheads territory and on another awkward-looking pass, the entire Riverheads bleachers erupted when one referee standing five feet away from the play did not throw a flag but a deeper official called interference from 30 yards away. That set the Bison up in business around the 25 with time for one or two more plays. But RHS put them out of their misery with a quarterback sack and a game-ending interception by Diehl, and this time it really WAS him.
So the Gladiators remain unbeaten on the season with their toughest win of the year, but in all fairness major credit also has to go to the Bison. They controlled the game with their defense and they were the first team this year that seemed able to figure out Riverheads' running game. I have not seen the stats but other than Schaeffer's two scoring runs, the Gladiator offense struggled all night. BG on the other hand mixed the pass and run effectively and kept Riverheads off balance most of the night.
Since I mentioned cliches earlier, I will close with a couple of them. "The mark of a good team is to not play your best but still win". And "a win is a win" and we will take it. But hats off to the Bison for making us work for this one!
The teams traded opening possessions in which each one fumbled the ball. The Gap recovered RHS' fumble near midfield but could not capitalize and the Gladiators then held the Bison on their first possession. Then on Riverheads' second chance with the ball, Schaeffer broke it big down the right sideline with about a 55-yard jaunt, almost identical to his first score against Luray last week.
The Bison then drove 80 yards for the equalizer and in fact took the lead at 8-7 still in the first quarter. Most of the yardage came on a wide open pass play but then David Mullins, their big workhorse of the evening, scored from about four yards out. They then passed out in to the right flat for the two-point conversion and for the first time this season, the Big Red trailed in a game.
As the first quarter drew to a close, the Gladiators seemed well on their way to retaking the lead. They then opened the second quarter by driving deep into the red zone but came up empty. All told they would have three drives into Bison territory as the ENTIRE second quarter was played in the Gap end of the field. But to their credit, the Gap defense held each time and the visitors took their one point lead into the locker room.
The Bison then took the second half kickoff and drove straight down the field (Riverheads style you might say), taking 6 1/2 minutes off the clock before scoring to move ahead 14-7. They were helped along by a Gladiator who was flagged for protesting the call on a measurement inside the ten-yard line. The Gap actually completed the pass on the PAT that would have made it a two-score game, but he was beyond the end line.
The teams then traded possessions for about the equivalent of a full quarter and it was really beginning to look as if the visitors were going to be the ones leaving Greenville with their perfect record intact.
But just as quality teams do, the Gladiators found a way to pull it out. They did so by turning to their defense as a couple of incredible individual plays opened the door. First, with BG clinging to its 14-7 lead deep in its own end of the field and the clock showing roughly 6 minutes, Gladiator Hunter Allen stormed through the line untouched and dropped the Bison QB for a huge loss at the three yard line. That led to a punt that the Big Red was able to field in Gap territory.
That was all Mr. Schaeffer needed and 2-3 plays later, he again swept the right side and tightroped up the sideline, eluding a couple of tackles along the way, and scored from 44 yards out. Some coaches might have gone for two in that situation, but Coach Casto put his faith in his kicker and Tristan Robson knotted up the score with just over 5 minutes remaining.
When the Bison got the ball back, they elected to go to the air and that is when the Gladiators got their second and most important defensive gem. The Gap quarterback lofted a pass down the right sideline in front of his own bench but a Riverheads defender stretched his body out and hauled in the INT. The announcer at the time gave it to Landon Diehl but in the radio wrap-up, they credited Tyler Smith for it. Whoever it was, it was the play of the night for RHS.
With almost five minutes to go, a tie score, and possession near midfield, the Gladiators were in no hurry and played their game. As they crept into the red zone, BG elected to use its timeouts, so as to have some time left if Riverheads did in fact score. The Gladiators kept the oversized crowd on the edge of their seats as they finally scored on a fourth and goal from the one on a Garrett Campbell sneak with just 1:07 remaining. As mentioned earlier, the Gap shot themselves in the foot in the late stages as a face mask and an unsportsmanlike penalty on back to back plays helped Riverheads cover about 12 of the final 20 yards.
With the Bison out of time-outs and Robson kicking the ball deep, the Gladiators appeared sure of the win at that moment. But there was still a little bit of drama left.
The Bison completed one wounded duck throw into Riverheads territory and on another awkward-looking pass, the entire Riverheads bleachers erupted when one referee standing five feet away from the play did not throw a flag but a deeper official called interference from 30 yards away. That set the Bison up in business around the 25 with time for one or two more plays. But RHS put them out of their misery with a quarterback sack and a game-ending interception by Diehl, and this time it really WAS him.
So the Gladiators remain unbeaten on the season with their toughest win of the year, but in all fairness major credit also has to go to the Bison. They controlled the game with their defense and they were the first team this year that seemed able to figure out Riverheads' running game. I have not seen the stats but other than Schaeffer's two scoring runs, the Gladiator offense struggled all night. BG on the other hand mixed the pass and run effectively and kept Riverheads off balance most of the night.
Since I mentioned cliches earlier, I will close with a couple of them. "The mark of a good team is to not play your best but still win". And "a win is a win" and we will take it. But hats off to the Bison for making us work for this one!
Credit to both fan bases for a great atmosphere last night. Both sides were loud and proud and a big crowd for a rainy Thursday night. It was fun to be apart of that scene.
I was struggling to decide whether to see this game or the Wilson /Luray game. I went to Fishersville. Both games were close, but I think I chose the wrong game.
I just finished watching the online replay of this game (see www.telemediaproductions.com if interested) and I came away with a different perspective on two points.
First of all, Riverheads did a better job offensively than it looked like at the time. Schaefer especially ran the ball hard. I think they were just hampered by the weather and by the huge size discrepancy between their line and that of the Bison. I guess the lower-scoring nature of the game made them seem less focused and productive than they really were.
Secondly I got a totally different perspective of the last-minute PI call against the Gladiators. The official that was closest to the play was either shielded from seeing it or facing the wrong direction, and the one who did throw the flag had the better view. Turns out it really was the correct call.
First of all, Riverheads did a better job offensively than it looked like at the time. Schaefer especially ran the ball hard. I think they were just hampered by the weather and by the huge size discrepancy between their line and that of the Bison. I guess the lower-scoring nature of the game made them seem less focused and productive than they really were.
Secondly I got a totally different perspective of the last-minute PI call against the Gladiators. The official that was closest to the play was either shielded from seeing it or facing the wrong direction, and the one who did throw the flag had the better view. Turns out it really was the correct call.
As one of the fans that erupted, it had nothing to do with the PI call. The "sideline" crew I was a part of was surprised we had two of our players get tackled in the backfield while getting after the QB. And concerning the offensive output of the two teams, other than the 3rd quarter and two big passes, I feel we controlled a much bigger team most of the night. We did struggle with some of our staple plays, because Rod Bowers is a phenomenal addition to the staff as he always played us close. I appreciate the link and I will watch it again to see if my enthusiasm may have clouded my vision.
