Riverheads 49 Skyline 21 Final
- Thread starter gladiators01
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The Big Red rushed for seven touchdowns and never completed a pass tonight as they took an early lead and rolled to a victory over the Hawks in a game that got ugly at times and almost laughable at other times. With the win the Gladiators are now 5-0 on the season and appear to be on a collision course for a final night meeting with Stuarts Draft. More on that next week.
RHS received the opening kickoff and took it straight up the gut about 10-12 times on a 70-yard drive to strike first. Zac Smiley was doing most of the early work as he scored the first three TDs for Riverheads. He was pressed into extra duty, as were some others, due to the absence tonight of the Big Red's other top running back Braeson Fulton.
On Skyline's first possession, they drove the ball to midfield, but then came up short on the first of their MANY fourth down gambles and RHS took over on the 50. Shortly thereafter Smiley was in the end zone again for a 14-0 lead. SHS then caught the Gladiators napping and scored on a nice fly pattern that covered about 60 yards to close to within 14-7.
Skyline got the ball back following Riverheads' only punt of the night and was headed toward a possible tying TD when Cy Cox stepped in front of a pass deep in the red zone and thwarted the drive. The Gladiators then spent about half the second quarter on an 88 yard drive, capped off by Smiley's third TD of the game to make it 21-7.
Once again the Hawks retaliated to close to within a single touchdown, leaving Riverheads less than two minutes to work with. A 20 yard gallop by Smiley and a big penalty against the Hawks put the Gladiators in scoring position and they pushed it across from the one with five seconds left before halftime to make it 28-14.
Skyline received the second half kickoff and immediately got a break on a Riverheads penalty to move the ball to midfield. But on the very next play the Gladiators intercepted their second pass of the game and first of two they would snag in the quarter. Cox took immediate advantage and rambled for about 50 yards down to the one, then scored on the next play to give Riverheads a 35-14 lead.
Moments later the Hawks turned it over again, this time on a fumble and Riverheads turned that one into an Aiden Miller score to make it 42-14. By this time, the Hawks were getting frustrated and the penalties started to mount up. Despite giving up yet another interception, their third of the game, they managed to score again to make it 42-21 early in the fourth.
As for the funny part of the proceedings, which would have been annoying as hell in a closer game, the referees forgot how to count in the waning moments of the contest. RHS was driving, and had made it down into the red zone. All of a sudden the more savvy Gladiator fans noticed that Skyline CLEARLY had 12 men on defense. If the fans noticed it, you can bet the coaches did too. But despite a ton of noise from the visiting sidelines, a flag was not thrown and on the SECOND play run with the Hawks having that unfair advantage, the Gladiators got the last laugh as Cox zipped in to the endzone from about 8 yards out.
Believe it or not the Hawks STILL kept their 12th man on the field even for the PAT. So yes, they ran THREE plays with an extra man on the field and none of the officials ever noticed, nor did their staff make any effort to get the extra guy off the field.
The game mercifully ended a few minutes later. For the benefit of RHS fans who could not make the trip, Elijah Dunlap started at quarterback tonight but freshman Bennett got a few snaps late in the game. As for the running attack of the Big Red, other than the previously mentioned players, Cole Burton had a couple of nice runs from the fullback slot. RHS had unofficially 273 yards in the first half and likely finished around the 400 mark, all of it on the ground.
The Pride finally opens district play next Friday night, as does the entire Shenandoah, as we travel to Wilson. For the rest of the regular season, everybody will have shorter trips and therefore larger crowds. The Gladiators will then have back-to-back home games with Fort Defiance and Staunton on the 18th and 25th.
RHS received the opening kickoff and took it straight up the gut about 10-12 times on a 70-yard drive to strike first. Zac Smiley was doing most of the early work as he scored the first three TDs for Riverheads. He was pressed into extra duty, as were some others, due to the absence tonight of the Big Red's other top running back Braeson Fulton.
On Skyline's first possession, they drove the ball to midfield, but then came up short on the first of their MANY fourth down gambles and RHS took over on the 50. Shortly thereafter Smiley was in the end zone again for a 14-0 lead. SHS then caught the Gladiators napping and scored on a nice fly pattern that covered about 60 yards to close to within 14-7.
Skyline got the ball back following Riverheads' only punt of the night and was headed toward a possible tying TD when Cy Cox stepped in front of a pass deep in the red zone and thwarted the drive. The Gladiators then spent about half the second quarter on an 88 yard drive, capped off by Smiley's third TD of the game to make it 21-7.
Once again the Hawks retaliated to close to within a single touchdown, leaving Riverheads less than two minutes to work with. A 20 yard gallop by Smiley and a big penalty against the Hawks put the Gladiators in scoring position and they pushed it across from the one with five seconds left before halftime to make it 28-14.
Skyline received the second half kickoff and immediately got a break on a Riverheads penalty to move the ball to midfield. But on the very next play the Gladiators intercepted their second pass of the game and first of two they would snag in the quarter. Cox took immediate advantage and rambled for about 50 yards down to the one, then scored on the next play to give Riverheads a 35-14 lead.
Moments later the Hawks turned it over again, this time on a fumble and Riverheads turned that one into an Aiden Miller score to make it 42-14. By this time, the Hawks were getting frustrated and the penalties started to mount up. Despite giving up yet another interception, their third of the game, they managed to score again to make it 42-21 early in the fourth.
As for the funny part of the proceedings, which would have been annoying as hell in a closer game, the referees forgot how to count in the waning moments of the contest. RHS was driving, and had made it down into the red zone. All of a sudden the more savvy Gladiator fans noticed that Skyline CLEARLY had 12 men on defense. If the fans noticed it, you can bet the coaches did too. But despite a ton of noise from the visiting sidelines, a flag was not thrown and on the SECOND play run with the Hawks having that unfair advantage, the Gladiators got the last laugh as Cox zipped in to the endzone from about 8 yards out.
Believe it or not the Hawks STILL kept their 12th man on the field even for the PAT. So yes, they ran THREE plays with an extra man on the field and none of the officials ever noticed, nor did their staff make any effort to get the extra guy off the field.
The game mercifully ended a few minutes later. For the benefit of RHS fans who could not make the trip, Elijah Dunlap started at quarterback tonight but freshman Bennett got a few snaps late in the game. As for the running attack of the Big Red, other than the previously mentioned players, Cole Burton had a couple of nice runs from the fullback slot. RHS had unofficially 273 yards in the first half and likely finished around the 400 mark, all of it on the ground.
The Pride finally opens district play next Friday night, as does the entire Shenandoah, as we travel to Wilson. For the rest of the regular season, everybody will have shorter trips and therefore larger crowds. The Gladiators will then have back-to-back home games with Fort Defiance and Staunton on the 18th and 25th.
Good game. Exactly as I predicted, except it was more like 8 yards a pop, instead of 7. At least Riverheads had to punt once. Skyline really did not play that bad. Riverheads just runs like a well-oiled machine.
Great run down of the action. Not sure where the officials were from but they didn’t look to be a cohesive unit most of the night. Nothing that cost either team tremendously but enough to annoy both sets of fans.
The Hawks have some very good athletes with #5, # 24, and #14 standing out as playmakers. The QB #2 Appleton is very good as a sophomore despite the TO’s. Nice arm strength and he showed he can run on the few times he just tucked it and committed to it.
I think this was a good test for the Riverheads D since I have to believe that the Hawks threw the ball 40+ times. I don’t recall but a dozen or so rushing attempts and a couple of those were unplanned scrambles by the QB. So the DB’s did enough despite giving up 21.
One last thought on Skyline, great facilities and easy to get in and out of.
The Hawks have some very good athletes with #5, # 24, and #14 standing out as playmakers. The QB #2 Appleton is very good as a sophomore despite the TO’s. Nice arm strength and he showed he can run on the few times he just tucked it and committed to it.
I think this was a good test for the Riverheads D since I have to believe that the Hawks threw the ball 40+ times. I don’t recall but a dozen or so rushing attempts and a couple of those were unplanned scrambles by the QB. So the DB’s did enough despite giving up 21.
One last thought on Skyline, great facilities and easy to get in and out of.
Pretty sure it was Winchester officials association. I actually thought they were better than normal. I would like to see film of that one onside kick. My biggest beef with the officials is they huddle too much, and then don't always signal what the penalty is. Also, at least once they made the wrong signal for the obviously clear penalty.
Thanks for the recap ! Your comments make me feel like I was there. Go Big Red !!!!
good ole xcross, u had your chance to go and get a free meal and u declined, and them refs, they were something else, head ref had to be at least 73. next up Wilson GO BIG RED
braeson fulton is a very hard runner, they have many rbs on the team, keep him off the field till he is 100 percent, u have 4 games to rest him if need be till the showdown vs draft, GO BIG RED
wow congrats, hat off to him, that is a lot of football games, 50 years of being a official, he has seen lots of football talent, and I bet some very memorable games
Finding some of these scores are like searching for Easter eggs. It may be tomorrow morning before I get everything. There is one game playing this evening which will have someone I need to track as well. Sorry for the delay and I will start a new thread so anybody that wants to, can discuss this game.
