As a tune-up for Friday's big varsity game at RHS, the JVs met at Waynesboro tonight. I cannot provide a final, since I left with about 4 minutes to go. RHS was ahead 22-0 at that point and they had just taken possession on a punt somewhere around the Waynesboro 40. If I had to hazard a guess, I would say that they would not have tried to aggressively score again, and therefore that could have been the final score. But I suppose W'boro might have gotten the ball back and managed to avoid the shut-out. I am sure the final score will be out there somewhere for those who are interested.
Anyway, it was not an especially pretty game, as each team had a number of mistakes and penalties. The hard count that the Gladiators frequently use seemed to cause confusion all night long, not only for the Little Giants, but for the officials as well. There were at least 3-4 occasions when the stripes honestly did not seem to know who to penalize. In a tighter game, it could have been annoying to have that lack of control.
Despite the seemingly comfortable score, there was one play that really keyed the RHS win. They were leading only 8-0 midway through the second quarter and had driven down to the two-yard line, where they shot themselves in the foot with a couple of errors and found themselves facing a 4th and goal from the 10. Had the Giants been able to hold them, the teams could have gone into the locker room with just a one-score game. Instead RHS converted for a TD pass and added a safety moments later for a more comfortable 16-0 lead at the break.
The Junior Gladiators are now 2-1 on the season and will host Luray next Wednesday, a team that bludgeoned them on the road last year. That game will of course precede the Shenandoah District opener on Friday the 25th when the Big Red will travel to Luray. People are already buzzing about that one!
Anyway, it was not an especially pretty game, as each team had a number of mistakes and penalties. The hard count that the Gladiators frequently use seemed to cause confusion all night long, not only for the Little Giants, but for the officials as well. There were at least 3-4 occasions when the stripes honestly did not seem to know who to penalize. In a tighter game, it could have been annoying to have that lack of control.
Despite the seemingly comfortable score, there was one play that really keyed the RHS win. They were leading only 8-0 midway through the second quarter and had driven down to the two-yard line, where they shot themselves in the foot with a couple of errors and found themselves facing a 4th and goal from the 10. Had the Giants been able to hold them, the teams could have gone into the locker room with just a one-score game. Instead RHS converted for a TD pass and added a safety moments later for a more comfortable 16-0 lead at the break.
The Junior Gladiators are now 2-1 on the season and will host Luray next Wednesday, a team that bludgeoned them on the road last year. That game will of course precede the Shenandoah District opener on Friday the 25th when the Big Red will travel to Luray. People are already buzzing about that one!
