In Greenville tonight, it was a case of "slow and steady wins the race" as a punishing Gladiator ground game produced six methodical touchdown drives, which was more than enough to offset three big-play scores from the visiting Staunton Storm. Once again the Big Red was led by the running back quartet of David Austin, Logan Hostetter, Shay Archie and Brendan Fortune. All four factored into the Riverheads scoring totals but Austin especially had a great game as he ran hard all night, often dragging tacklers for extra yardage, and scored at least half the Gladiator points on the evening. There was nothing fancy about the RHS attack as they simply moved the ball an average of 6-8 yards per rush and only had one or two plays all night of more than 20 yards.
Staunton certainly gave a game effort, especially considering that they only had about 18 healthy bodies on the sidelines. They did not move the ball as effectively as the Big Red was able to, but they gave their fans some exciting plays as their touchdowns came on a 75 yard kickoff return by William Cormier, a 50-yard pick six from Landon Dove (hope I have the name right) as he alertly stepped in front of the receiver one of the very few times Riverheads went to the air and had smooth sailing to the endzone, and a nice broken field run in the final few minutes in which the ball carrier (didn't catch the name) eluded several would-be tacklers as he zigged and zagged his way to the end zone from about 45 yards out.
In case you are questioning the math and wondering how a 6 to 3 touchdown edge could add up to a 29-point advantage on the scoreboard, it is because Riverheads continues to have a perfect record this season not only in wins and losses but in converting two-point conversions after each score. They are now an amazing 16 for 16 on the season, and of course in last week's 24-22 overtime thriller over Fort Defiance, that was the difference in the game. Conversely, Staunton went for the PAT kick each time tonight but the Riverheads D line blocked two of the three.
With the win, the Gladiators are now 3-0 on the season and they will travel to Buffalo Gap next Wednesday. I believe I have read that the Bison are also undefeated so that game just might take the place of last week's Fort game as "THE" JV game of the season in the Shenandoah.
Staunton certainly gave a game effort, especially considering that they only had about 18 healthy bodies on the sidelines. They did not move the ball as effectively as the Big Red was able to, but they gave their fans some exciting plays as their touchdowns came on a 75 yard kickoff return by William Cormier, a 50-yard pick six from Landon Dove (hope I have the name right) as he alertly stepped in front of the receiver one of the very few times Riverheads went to the air and had smooth sailing to the endzone, and a nice broken field run in the final few minutes in which the ball carrier (didn't catch the name) eluded several would-be tacklers as he zigged and zagged his way to the end zone from about 45 yards out.
In case you are questioning the math and wondering how a 6 to 3 touchdown edge could add up to a 29-point advantage on the scoreboard, it is because Riverheads continues to have a perfect record this season not only in wins and losses but in converting two-point conversions after each score. They are now an amazing 16 for 16 on the season, and of course in last week's 24-22 overtime thriller over Fort Defiance, that was the difference in the game. Conversely, Staunton went for the PAT kick each time tonight but the Riverheads D line blocked two of the three.
With the win, the Gladiators are now 3-0 on the season and they will travel to Buffalo Gap next Wednesday. I believe I have read that the Bison are also undefeated so that game just might take the place of last week's Fort game as "THE" JV game of the season in the Shenandoah.
