Riverheads 49, Bath County 6 FINAL
- Thread starter jhwright
- Start date
I have always said that the best thing about a first game of the season is that you only have to play one of them. Coach Casto will take this victory and build on it, but at times it certainly was not very pretty and the Gladiators have some things they need to work on, considering how much tougher the schedule will be getting and very quickly.
One thing we were blessed with compared to what I have heard about the rest of the state was absolutely PERFECT weather. We had no rain and no lightning and if you laid a single sheet of paper on the bleachers beside you, as my neighboring fan did, it was going to stay there all night long. Could it have been because the Bath folks say a prayer before the national anthem........you be the judge!
The Gladiators put this one away with a 21-point first quarter and to be candid about it, that was the only quarter in which they seemed totally focused. They took the opening kickoff and drove down the field in about 8-10 plays, all on the ground, with Zac Smiley scoring from the one. Peyton Skillman added the first of his seven perfect extra point kicks.
On their next two series, the Gladiators tested the airwaves, with positive results on each possession. First Justin McWhorter found Drew Bond all alone in the left flat for about a 35 yard TD completion, and moments later the same duo connected down to the five yard line, which led to a short TD run by Blake Smith.
Although the Gladiators added a fourth TD to go up 28-0 at halftime on another Smiley run, the second quarter as a whole was rather ugly. They coughed the ball up twice on fumbles, including once in their own half of the field, and they were called for more penalties in that one quarter than Coach Casto would probably prefer to see in an entire game. On one play, two different Gladiators were called for holding, so the refs had to choose which one to assess.
The third quarter was the "call the doc" part of the game and as he has been doing for the entirety of Riverheads' existence, Doctor Moore was Johnny on the Spot as at least three different Gladiators went down with cramps. McWhorter was one of those but at least he was nice enough to complete his second TD pass of the night to Bond before collapsing in pain. That score and a short run by second-string running back Cyrus Cox put the Big Red ahead 42-0 as the running clock came into effect by the midway part of the quarter.
Bath then had its moment of excitement on the first play of the fourth quarter as they completed a slant pattern for about 50 yards to move the ball into the red zone. The Big Red D made them work for it but they finally pushed across a TD to make it 42-6.
Then came the play of the night for the large contingent of visiting Red Pride fans as Cox, who is only a sophomore and a small one at that, took the ensuing kickoff, got a couple of key blocks and broke it down the right sideline for about a 90 yard TD to round out the scoring for the evening.
That score had to be a gut-punch for the Chargers, who do have an EXCEPTIONAL kicker. He pinned the Big Red deep on both his kickoffs and I would estimate he averaged at least in the high 40s, if not 50, on his punts tonight. Sorry I did not catch his name but he could be a weapon that will help the Black and Orange in some closer games.
To summarize, a win is a win and it was nice to see the Gladiators unveil so many weapons, including Mr. Cox, who was not realistically expected to be among our scoring threats this year. But the game was definitely ugly at times and you can bet that Coach Casto and the staff will have some discussion this week about maintaining self-control out on the field so as to cut down on the penalties.
The Gladiators host Stuarts Draft next Friday and the Cougars will likely be in a foul mood after suffering a (was it or was it not an upset) loss at Fort Defiance tonight. I will have to miss that game but before I head out of town I will call on Gunz or another capable soul to fill you in on the details of that one. One thing is for sure, the teams will be hard-pressed to top the last two meetings between them......a 16-13 overtime win for the Cougars in 2016, and Riverheads' 17-14 squeaker last season.
One thing we were blessed with compared to what I have heard about the rest of the state was absolutely PERFECT weather. We had no rain and no lightning and if you laid a single sheet of paper on the bleachers beside you, as my neighboring fan did, it was going to stay there all night long. Could it have been because the Bath folks say a prayer before the national anthem........you be the judge!
The Gladiators put this one away with a 21-point first quarter and to be candid about it, that was the only quarter in which they seemed totally focused. They took the opening kickoff and drove down the field in about 8-10 plays, all on the ground, with Zac Smiley scoring from the one. Peyton Skillman added the first of his seven perfect extra point kicks.
On their next two series, the Gladiators tested the airwaves, with positive results on each possession. First Justin McWhorter found Drew Bond all alone in the left flat for about a 35 yard TD completion, and moments later the same duo connected down to the five yard line, which led to a short TD run by Blake Smith.
Although the Gladiators added a fourth TD to go up 28-0 at halftime on another Smiley run, the second quarter as a whole was rather ugly. They coughed the ball up twice on fumbles, including once in their own half of the field, and they were called for more penalties in that one quarter than Coach Casto would probably prefer to see in an entire game. On one play, two different Gladiators were called for holding, so the refs had to choose which one to assess.
The third quarter was the "call the doc" part of the game and as he has been doing for the entirety of Riverheads' existence, Doctor Moore was Johnny on the Spot as at least three different Gladiators went down with cramps. McWhorter was one of those but at least he was nice enough to complete his second TD pass of the night to Bond before collapsing in pain. That score and a short run by second-string running back Cyrus Cox put the Big Red ahead 42-0 as the running clock came into effect by the midway part of the quarter.
Bath then had its moment of excitement on the first play of the fourth quarter as they completed a slant pattern for about 50 yards to move the ball into the red zone. The Big Red D made them work for it but they finally pushed across a TD to make it 42-6.
Then came the play of the night for the large contingent of visiting Red Pride fans as Cox, who is only a sophomore and a small one at that, took the ensuing kickoff, got a couple of key blocks and broke it down the right sideline for about a 90 yard TD to round out the scoring for the evening.
That score had to be a gut-punch for the Chargers, who do have an EXCEPTIONAL kicker. He pinned the Big Red deep on both his kickoffs and I would estimate he averaged at least in the high 40s, if not 50, on his punts tonight. Sorry I did not catch his name but he could be a weapon that will help the Black and Orange in some closer games.
To summarize, a win is a win and it was nice to see the Gladiators unveil so many weapons, including Mr. Cox, who was not realistically expected to be among our scoring threats this year. But the game was definitely ugly at times and you can bet that Coach Casto and the staff will have some discussion this week about maintaining self-control out on the field so as to cut down on the penalties.
The Gladiators host Stuarts Draft next Friday and the Cougars will likely be in a foul mood after suffering a (was it or was it not an upset) loss at Fort Defiance tonight. I will have to miss that game but before I head out of town I will call on Gunz or another capable soul to fill you in on the details of that one. One thing is for sure, the teams will be hard-pressed to top the last two meetings between them......a 16-13 overtime win for the Cougars in 2016, and Riverheads' 17-14 squeaker last season.
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JH:
I certainly owe you an apology here this morning. What in the world was I thinking suggesting that Gunz be my fill-in next week when YOU will be right there to do the job? I guess it was just that you had been so quiet so far this season and Gunz so vocal that he just came to my mind first, especially since he would know the Cougars so well.
So do forgive me and by all means, do keep us all posted on what happens in Greenville next Friday night. Gunz is of course also willing to chime in and I guess it goes without saying that XCross will add his unique brand of commentary too the mix as well.
Oh and a report on Wednesday's JV game would be nice too. I will have my laptop with me and will keep up from long distance. I will then be back for the East Rock games the following week.
I certainly owe you an apology here this morning. What in the world was I thinking suggesting that Gunz be my fill-in next week when YOU will be right there to do the job? I guess it was just that you had been so quiet so far this season and Gunz so vocal that he just came to my mind first, especially since he would know the Cougars so well.
So do forgive me and by all means, do keep us all posted on what happens in Greenville next Friday night. Gunz is of course also willing to chime in and I guess it goes without saying that XCross will add his unique brand of commentary too the mix as well.
Oh and a report on Wednesday's JV game would be nice too. I will have my laptop with me and will keep up from long distance. I will then be back for the East Rock games the following week.
Didn't make the trip to Bath but will be in Greenville next week for sure ! Gunz may not be so vocal since his Cougars got speared by the Indians . Who would have thunk it ? They better clean it up if they want a chance at the playoffs .
If I can't get my old car going I will drive my tractor to the game !
If I can't get my old car going I will drive my tractor to the game !
Gunz is completely fine. A high school football game doesnt define me or my life.
In fact, I posted the scores of the game on here. Not going to rattle my feathers
Longtimerhsfan...I will do my best to recap Friday’s game for you, even though I won’t come close in doing as good as a job as you. However, unfortunately I won’t be able to make it to the JV game Wednesday. Hopefully Gunz can make it and fill us in.
