The Gladiators did their part to solidify that three-way tie at the top of the Shenandoah standings tonight with a runaway victory over the Panthers. As is always the case, the Big Red did most of its damage on the ground and also showed some new wrinkles on offense and welcomed back freshman running back Zac Smiley from a three-week injury break.
But for one brief moment early in the second quarter, Gladiator fans forgot who they were watching as quarterback Tyler Smith lofted a beautiful pass about 35 yards downfield to a wide-open Forrest Shuey that led to the Big Red's third score. He was actually one of two receivers who were open on the play and I guess it looked like such a pretty pass because RHS throws so seldom. Good to know that the pass is in the playbook in case it is needed down the road.
Dalton Jordan scored the first two TDs as he went out in style on Senior Night. He actually scored a third time on the opening play of the third quarter but the play was called back on one of the most delayed flags I have ever seen. The TD was up on the scoreboard and the teams were ready for the PAT when the ref in question FINALLY let us know that he had thrown a flag for motion and that it was coming back. The clock operator decided to save on light bulbs by leaving the TD on the board until the Gladiators did score several plays later.
Senior quarterback Smith and his junior brother Blake each scored in the second quarter as did the hard-running Smiley to boost RHS to a 35-0 halftime lead, thereby guaranteeing the running clock. Devin Morris added a pair of third quarter scores and sub Dylan Coffey rounded out the scoring midway through the fourth. The ever-dependable Peyton Skillman booted all eight PATs. Only a sophomore, he is definitely headed for the record books as one of the best in a long line of RHS kickers.
Ironically Page's best chance to dent the scoreboard came on their very first possession of the game. Riverheads had taken a 7-0 lead on Jordan's first score three minutes into the game, and Page proceeded to take the next five minutes off the clock with a pretty impressive drive that took them just inside the 20. RHS then came up with a big stop on fourth and short, and although Page had a play here and there for positive yardage after that, failing to score took the wind out of their sails and they never seriously threatened again.
The game was very cleanly played with little controversy and apparently no injuries, We made it almost to halftime before there was even a penalty or a turnover, but as the Panthers got a little more desperate in the second half, they coughed up three interceptions, two of them by Drew Bond, and at least one fumble. Riverheads threw one harmless pick well after the game was already decided.
The Panthers finish their season at 3-7, whereas RHS is now 8-2. The Gladiators will have the number one seed for the Region B, 1-A playoffs and will get a first-round bye. Their most-likely opponent in the regional semis, two weeks from tonight, will be Altavista.
