Riverheads 61 Waynesboro 14 Final nm
- Thread starter kwhs95fan
- Start date
First games are always interesting and this one certainly was as we had a lightning delay less than two minutes into the game, and then when play resumed, the Gladiators actually found themselves trailing 7-6. But a 60 yard gallop by Cayden Cook-Cash swung the momentum back in the Big Red's favor and the Gladiators poured it on from there.
Despite the score, Waynesboro showed some spunk and you can tell that the pieces of the puzzle are there if they can just put them together. But tonight, turnovers were their biggest enemy as they had seven by my count including two interceptions by David Austin and a pick six by Brendan Fortune.
The Fortune pick started the scoring for the Big Red less than 2 minutes into the game, but before RHS could kick off, the lightning signal was given and although it took some time, the stadium mostly emptied for about half an hour.
Credit goes to a lot of people for the way that delay was handled. First of all the administrations of both schools did their best to explain what was going on and what needed to happen. Secondly the fans handled it well, including the absolutely huge Riverheads delegation that easily outnumbered Waynesboro fans tonight.
But the biggest praise has to go to the LONGGGG line of people who had not yet made it into the stadium when the delay occurred. You see, this was a huge crowd by anyone's measure and those of us on the Riverheads side had been watching the line grow longer and longer as the game kicked off. As the game started, the line to get in stretched all the way across the parking lot to the street.
So when the crowd that was already inside had to leave, those in line waited patiently and there was no push to get in or to take priority away from those of us who had already made it inside. So hats off to those folks who waited patiently even though it was closer to 8:00 instead of the usual 7, before they got to see any game action.
Once play resumed, you could tell that Waynesboro was in no way demoralized by Fortune's TD and on their second possession, they took it in for a go-ahead score on about a 10 yard 4th down pass play. RHS had missed its opening PAT so when the Giants converted theirs, they briefly had the lead.
But CCC's big run put the Gladiators back in the red zone, they soon scored to regain the lead, and by halftime the score ballooned to 40-14, with most RHS scores being set up by the Giant miscues. However, Waynesboro had the longest score of the night as a Riverheads fumble was picked up and returned down the home sideline for about a 75 yard score. But that only made it 33-14 at the time and ended the scoring for WHS.
Riverheads' scoring, as expected, was led by CCC and his running mate Luke Bryant with three TD's each. QB Bennett Dunlap sneaked one across from the one, and reserve running back Adam Higgins scored late in the game. Failing to score, although he came mighty close, was fullback Cody Cash, who gave the Gladiators some quality yards whenever the defense was keying on the two biggest threats.
The Gladiators may have also found themselves a permanent place kicker tonight in the form of sophomore Zach Brooks. Coming into the game he was battling Pablo Chavez for the position. After Chavez only went 1 for 3 on his first attempts, Brooks got his chance and nailed the final six kicks to quite likely move into the starting spot.
Next week the Gladiators will head down to Buena Vista to battle the Blues. Last we heard, they were locked in a tight one with arch-rival Rockbridge.
As for Waynesboro, as mentioned above, they have the talent and they will score some points on people, so don't be fooled by tonight's score. In fact it will be very interesting to see how they bounce back next week at Stuarts Draft. The Cougars blanked William Monroe tonight 41-0, so their string of impressive seasons looks like it will continue as well.
Elsewhere in the Shenandoah, Buffalo Gap was easily handling James River last we heard, and in somewhat of a surprise, Fort Defiance was hanging right with Valley District favorite Turner Ashby on its own field. Staunton and Wilson do not start until next week.
So the season is off and running and everybody now knows more about themselves than they did a few hours ago!
Despite the score, Waynesboro showed some spunk and you can tell that the pieces of the puzzle are there if they can just put them together. But tonight, turnovers were their biggest enemy as they had seven by my count including two interceptions by David Austin and a pick six by Brendan Fortune.
The Fortune pick started the scoring for the Big Red less than 2 minutes into the game, but before RHS could kick off, the lightning signal was given and although it took some time, the stadium mostly emptied for about half an hour.
Credit goes to a lot of people for the way that delay was handled. First of all the administrations of both schools did their best to explain what was going on and what needed to happen. Secondly the fans handled it well, including the absolutely huge Riverheads delegation that easily outnumbered Waynesboro fans tonight.
But the biggest praise has to go to the LONGGGG line of people who had not yet made it into the stadium when the delay occurred. You see, this was a huge crowd by anyone's measure and those of us on the Riverheads side had been watching the line grow longer and longer as the game kicked off. As the game started, the line to get in stretched all the way across the parking lot to the street.
So when the crowd that was already inside had to leave, those in line waited patiently and there was no push to get in or to take priority away from those of us who had already made it inside. So hats off to those folks who waited patiently even though it was closer to 8:00 instead of the usual 7, before they got to see any game action.
Once play resumed, you could tell that Waynesboro was in no way demoralized by Fortune's TD and on their second possession, they took it in for a go-ahead score on about a 10 yard 4th down pass play. RHS had missed its opening PAT so when the Giants converted theirs, they briefly had the lead.
But CCC's big run put the Gladiators back in the red zone, they soon scored to regain the lead, and by halftime the score ballooned to 40-14, with most RHS scores being set up by the Giant miscues. However, Waynesboro had the longest score of the night as a Riverheads fumble was picked up and returned down the home sideline for about a 75 yard score. But that only made it 33-14 at the time and ended the scoring for WHS.
Riverheads' scoring, as expected, was led by CCC and his running mate Luke Bryant with three TD's each. QB Bennett Dunlap sneaked one across from the one, and reserve running back Adam Higgins scored late in the game. Failing to score, although he came mighty close, was fullback Cody Cash, who gave the Gladiators some quality yards whenever the defense was keying on the two biggest threats.
The Gladiators may have also found themselves a permanent place kicker tonight in the form of sophomore Zach Brooks. Coming into the game he was battling Pablo Chavez for the position. After Chavez only went 1 for 3 on his first attempts, Brooks got his chance and nailed the final six kicks to quite likely move into the starting spot.
Next week the Gladiators will head down to Buena Vista to battle the Blues. Last we heard, they were locked in a tight one with arch-rival Rockbridge.
As for Waynesboro, as mentioned above, they have the talent and they will score some points on people, so don't be fooled by tonight's score. In fact it will be very interesting to see how they bounce back next week at Stuarts Draft. The Cougars blanked William Monroe tonight 41-0, so their string of impressive seasons looks like it will continue as well.
Elsewhere in the Shenandoah, Buffalo Gap was easily handling James River last we heard, and in somewhat of a surprise, Fort Defiance was hanging right with Valley District favorite Turner Ashby on its own field. Staunton and Wilson do not start until next week.
So the season is off and running and everybody now knows more about themselves than they did a few hours ago!
Great recap as usual @longtimerhsfan. I would like to add a couple of things.
First off the QB for Waynesboro can spin it for sure. He is the prototypical size and has arm strength to throw back across the hash on the out or dig as flat as a calm sea. Early their offense was making play after play through the air.
Now just as a football fan as the game wore on I was surprised at the utilization of two players in particular. First off senior Ryan Barbour was underutilized in my opinion and maybe that was due to him being corralled the first few times he ran. He didn’t appear injured so unless it was load management early in the season once the game started getting go away, I could see that. The second thing was #12, who was clearly the fastest player on the field and it wasn’t really close. With Barbour stymied they ran this young man from the backfield. While I am not their coach and maybe there are other reasons why, but if this young man can catch a football he would be explosive from the slot in their offense.
Regardless of the score I feel this Waynesboro team will be heard from and could surprise a team that sleeps on them.
First off the QB for Waynesboro can spin it for sure. He is the prototypical size and has arm strength to throw back across the hash on the out or dig as flat as a calm sea. Early their offense was making play after play through the air.
Now just as a football fan as the game wore on I was surprised at the utilization of two players in particular. First off senior Ryan Barbour was underutilized in my opinion and maybe that was due to him being corralled the first few times he ran. He didn’t appear injured so unless it was load management early in the season once the game started getting go away, I could see that. The second thing was #12, who was clearly the fastest player on the field and it wasn’t really close. With Barbour stymied they ran this young man from the backfield. While I am not their coach and maybe there are other reasons why, but if this young man can catch a football he would be explosive from the slot in their offense.
Regardless of the score I feel this Waynesboro team will be heard from and could surprise a team that sleeps on them.
I picked up on all your points......the QB has a cannon; Barbour was almost a non-factor after a while; Number 12 can really move; and one other point.... Number 11 looked like their best receiver.
Riverheads by contrast did not even attempt a pass last night. There was one play in which Dunlap rolled out as if to pass, but he ended up tucking it. Based on the last couple of seasons, we should have a passing game but it just wasn't on display last night.
Riverheads by contrast did not even attempt a pass last night. There was one play in which Dunlap rolled out as if to pass, but he ended up tucking it. Based on the last couple of seasons, we should have a passing game but it just wasn't on display last night.
