These two neighborhood rivals locked horns for the second time this season, but this time it counted in the district standings as tonight's victory keeps RHS in the running for a spot in the JV championship game at the end of the season. My sources tell me that the Gladiators' chances for that game will depend on the outcome of the Buffalo Gap/Fort Defiance JV game in a couple of weeks. Meanwhile, the Big Red's regular season concludes next Wednesday with a trip to Waynesboro.
The Gladiators did all their damage on the ground tonight and spread the wealth around as five different players scored rushing touchdowns. Even more impressive was their defense as they harassed Cougar quarterback Jacob Yow all night long and dropped him for significant losses on at least half a dozen occasions. Even when the Gladiators handed the visitors a chance to score when a Riverheads fumble put them in business around the 12 yard line, the Cougars still could not score and if anything they went backward on what would have been a short touchdown drive.
Prior to that opportunity just before halftime, the only other bright spot for SD came on the opening possession of the game. They took the opening kick-off and kept possession for the first six minutes of the game. However they did not progress very far yardage-wise and when Riverheads took over on downs, they only needed to go about half the field to score. In fact, the Cougars gambled a number of times tonight on fourth down, and failed just about every time, giving RHS frequent favorable field position.
Following that first defensive stop, the Gladiators moved quickly with Joel Maybush scoring the first TD. The Gladiators then scored twice more in the second quarter, first on a Carter Hartsook sneak, followed by a score from their leading rusher Rylan Payne. He had been the Big Red's go-to guy most of the season, but tonight the coaches gave some others their chance to shine.
Leading 19-0 at the break, Lukus deVore scored for RHS to open the third quarter and in the most crowd-pleasing moment of the night, eighth-grader Brady Butler swept left end from about 25 yards out for the longest Big Red touchdown of the game.
Now of course all eyes turn to Stuarts Draft Friday night and the big varsity game, easily the most important game of the season for both teams. Be there if you can but if not I am sure NFHS will make it available for you. You will still make it home in time for at least the last 5-6 innings of the opening game of the World Series.
The Gladiators did all their damage on the ground tonight and spread the wealth around as five different players scored rushing touchdowns. Even more impressive was their defense as they harassed Cougar quarterback Jacob Yow all night long and dropped him for significant losses on at least half a dozen occasions. Even when the Gladiators handed the visitors a chance to score when a Riverheads fumble put them in business around the 12 yard line, the Cougars still could not score and if anything they went backward on what would have been a short touchdown drive.
Prior to that opportunity just before halftime, the only other bright spot for SD came on the opening possession of the game. They took the opening kick-off and kept possession for the first six minutes of the game. However they did not progress very far yardage-wise and when Riverheads took over on downs, they only needed to go about half the field to score. In fact, the Cougars gambled a number of times tonight on fourth down, and failed just about every time, giving RHS frequent favorable field position.
Following that first defensive stop, the Gladiators moved quickly with Joel Maybush scoring the first TD. The Gladiators then scored twice more in the second quarter, first on a Carter Hartsook sneak, followed by a score from their leading rusher Rylan Payne. He had been the Big Red's go-to guy most of the season, but tonight the coaches gave some others their chance to shine.
Leading 19-0 at the break, Lukus deVore scored for RHS to open the third quarter and in the most crowd-pleasing moment of the night, eighth-grader Brady Butler swept left end from about 25 yards out for the longest Big Red touchdown of the game.
Now of course all eyes turn to Stuarts Draft Friday night and the big varsity game, easily the most important game of the season for both teams. Be there if you can but if not I am sure NFHS will make it available for you. You will still make it home in time for at least the last 5-6 innings of the opening game of the World Series.
