The Gladiators wrapped up their regular season tonight with a 45-20 victory over visiting Waynesboro in a game that saw the same dependable running back trio of Jackson Fitzgerald, Spencer Simpson, and Skyler Shiflett pretty much having their way with the Little Giant defense. Simpson especially smoked the visitors with several nice runs, including two impressive long ones for scores.
The Giants were able to hang with the Big Red until the midway part of the second quarter as they trailed only 16-14 at one point. They were having most of their success through the air, as they would eventually score two of their three TDs on pass plays that went for around 30 yards. But they simply could not stop the Big Red as the Gladiators added two more second quarter scores, including one in the final few seconds before the horn to move out in front 32-14 at the break, and then broke it open with two more TD's in the third quarter.
The Gladiator point total was enhanced with an almost perfect night converting PAT's. They went four for four on two point conversions in the first half to score their 32 points and in the second half, Fitzgerald was 1-2 on single-point kicks. The Giants managed to break through the line and block one of his attempts.
With the win, The Big Red finished a perfect 6-0 in district games and 7-1 overall, with their only loss coming against Valley District opponent Spotswood early in the season. They will now have almost two weeks of rest before hosting a JV championship game on Monday, November 6th.
When that game was first conceived, it was assumed that there would be a definite top two who would meet for the title. Well the Gladiators have done their part, but my understanding is that three other teams (Buffalo Gap, Waynesboro and Wilson) have "round-robined" each other and essentially created a three-way tie for the runner-up spot. Waynesboro and BG each have to win one more game to maintain that deadlock, whereas Wilson wrapped up its season tonight with a win over Stuarts Draft.
So if Waynesboro can knock off Staunton next week and The Gap can take care of Fort Defiance, that three-way tie will remain in place and we can only assume that some formula has either already been discussed or one will be devised that will determine who shows up that night to battle Riverheads for the crown. Please correct me if I am wrong on anyone's record but that was my understanding from talking to some cronies in the stands who have kept on top of the situation.
Getting back to tonight's game, by far the most action-packed quarter was the very first one, but part of that was made a little bit more entertaining by a nearly-constant parade of flags from the officials. That trend has been almost the rule rather than the exception this season, and tonight fans certainly got their opportunities to howl at the men in the stripes, especially early in the game. Fortunately the game was not close enough to cause anyone to feel as if they really made a difference in the score, but at the same time, the penalties did seem excessive at times.
Waynesboro took the opening kickoff and ate up about half the first quarter clock on a drive that took them down to around the Gladiator 30. But Fitzgerald made the big play to drop the quarterback for a loss and RHS was able to take over around its own 35.
On the first play from scrimmage, Fitzgerald broke away from the pack and scampered the 65 yards around left end for the first score of the game. But not so fast as everyone who had a flag threw one on the play. That momentarily stifled the Big Red but it only took about 2-3 more plays before Simpson found the end zone and this time it stood for an early 8-0 lead.
Waynesboro then scored on its ensuing possession to trim the lead to 8-6 but they failed on the attempt at a tying conversion. Simpson then found an opening down the far sideline and took the kickoff in for a score, but once again there was a yellow hankie on the field, which led to more howling, Greenville style.
Turns out there was no cause for concern however because the flag was for a face mask on Waynesboro. Therefore the TD stood and Riverheads moved out in front 16-6. Moments later, Waynesboro hit the first of its two TD passes and this time they did convert the PAT to close to within 16-14. But from that point on, it was all Gladiators as RHS scored the next four TDs to make it 45-14 before Waynesboro got a very late score to account for the final tally.
Regardless of how that title game plays out, both these teams have bright futures. The running back trio that has carried Riverheads this season will be very well-equipped to step up to varsity competition and will most definitely do their part to answer the question of "Will the Gladiators be able to compete when CCC has FINALLY graduated?" Of course those three were by no means the only athletes on this year's JV team, so the RHS program overall looks solid.
As for Waynesboro's future, as discussed throughout the year, the Varsity Giants have struggled and are most likely looking at an 0-10 finish. But I believe this JV team now has five wins. They will be favored over Staunton next week, which will mean a "winning season," and that can only encourage them and the community to keep building for the future.
So with the forecast promising us that next week we will finally have some REAL football weather, let's turn our attention to the aforementioned three-way battle for the other spot in the JV championship, not to mention the final two weeks of regular season action for the district's seven varsity teams. Then it will be time to REALLY get serious and talk about the playoffs.
The Giants were able to hang with the Big Red until the midway part of the second quarter as they trailed only 16-14 at one point. They were having most of their success through the air, as they would eventually score two of their three TDs on pass plays that went for around 30 yards. But they simply could not stop the Big Red as the Gladiators added two more second quarter scores, including one in the final few seconds before the horn to move out in front 32-14 at the break, and then broke it open with two more TD's in the third quarter.
The Gladiator point total was enhanced with an almost perfect night converting PAT's. They went four for four on two point conversions in the first half to score their 32 points and in the second half, Fitzgerald was 1-2 on single-point kicks. The Giants managed to break through the line and block one of his attempts.
With the win, The Big Red finished a perfect 6-0 in district games and 7-1 overall, with their only loss coming against Valley District opponent Spotswood early in the season. They will now have almost two weeks of rest before hosting a JV championship game on Monday, November 6th.
When that game was first conceived, it was assumed that there would be a definite top two who would meet for the title. Well the Gladiators have done their part, but my understanding is that three other teams (Buffalo Gap, Waynesboro and Wilson) have "round-robined" each other and essentially created a three-way tie for the runner-up spot. Waynesboro and BG each have to win one more game to maintain that deadlock, whereas Wilson wrapped up its season tonight with a win over Stuarts Draft.
So if Waynesboro can knock off Staunton next week and The Gap can take care of Fort Defiance, that three-way tie will remain in place and we can only assume that some formula has either already been discussed or one will be devised that will determine who shows up that night to battle Riverheads for the crown. Please correct me if I am wrong on anyone's record but that was my understanding from talking to some cronies in the stands who have kept on top of the situation.
Getting back to tonight's game, by far the most action-packed quarter was the very first one, but part of that was made a little bit more entertaining by a nearly-constant parade of flags from the officials. That trend has been almost the rule rather than the exception this season, and tonight fans certainly got their opportunities to howl at the men in the stripes, especially early in the game. Fortunately the game was not close enough to cause anyone to feel as if they really made a difference in the score, but at the same time, the penalties did seem excessive at times.
Waynesboro took the opening kickoff and ate up about half the first quarter clock on a drive that took them down to around the Gladiator 30. But Fitzgerald made the big play to drop the quarterback for a loss and RHS was able to take over around its own 35.
On the first play from scrimmage, Fitzgerald broke away from the pack and scampered the 65 yards around left end for the first score of the game. But not so fast as everyone who had a flag threw one on the play. That momentarily stifled the Big Red but it only took about 2-3 more plays before Simpson found the end zone and this time it stood for an early 8-0 lead.
Waynesboro then scored on its ensuing possession to trim the lead to 8-6 but they failed on the attempt at a tying conversion. Simpson then found an opening down the far sideline and took the kickoff in for a score, but once again there was a yellow hankie on the field, which led to more howling, Greenville style.
Turns out there was no cause for concern however because the flag was for a face mask on Waynesboro. Therefore the TD stood and Riverheads moved out in front 16-6. Moments later, Waynesboro hit the first of its two TD passes and this time they did convert the PAT to close to within 16-14. But from that point on, it was all Gladiators as RHS scored the next four TDs to make it 45-14 before Waynesboro got a very late score to account for the final tally.
Regardless of how that title game plays out, both these teams have bright futures. The running back trio that has carried Riverheads this season will be very well-equipped to step up to varsity competition and will most definitely do their part to answer the question of "Will the Gladiators be able to compete when CCC has FINALLY graduated?" Of course those three were by no means the only athletes on this year's JV team, so the RHS program overall looks solid.
As for Waynesboro's future, as discussed throughout the year, the Varsity Giants have struggled and are most likely looking at an 0-10 finish. But I believe this JV team now has five wins. They will be favored over Staunton next week, which will mean a "winning season," and that can only encourage them and the community to keep building for the future.
So with the forecast promising us that next week we will finally have some REAL football weather, let's turn our attention to the aforementioned three-way battle for the other spot in the JV championship, not to mention the final two weeks of regular season action for the district's seven varsity teams. Then it will be time to REALLY get serious and talk about the playoffs.
