RHS produced its most explosive offensive effort of the season tonight as eight different Gladiators scored (nine including place-kicker Cooper Robson who was a perfect 9 for 9 on the evening) on yet another gorgeous spring night for football. This game was a tune-up for next Thursday's (yes THURSDAY) showdown with fellow unbeaten Stuarts Draft. The Cougars by the way did their part to increase the hype for that game by posting their fourth shut-out of the season as they blanked Staunton tonight 49-0.
It was Homecoming at Riverheads and the Smiley Brothers, Zac and Noah, combined for the first three scores as the Big Red wasted little time getting started. Zac scored on a short run just three minutes into the game, and on the home team's second possession he rambled 58 yards to set up a second score. Little Brother Noah (who is by no means "little" by the way!) hammered in one of his own as RHS led 21-0 at the first horn.
The Bison then caught a puzzling break from the officials early in the second quarter that helped them get on the board. Facing a first down near midfield, they threw a pass that at first appeared to be complete, but was ruled incomplete. They then ran a routine running play. So are you counting with me.....that was first and second down, right? But no, the refs insisted that the next down (third) was only second, and the drive continued. The PA announcer, who was right on top of the situation, questioned loudly and clearly why they were insisting it was still second down but the stripes stuck to their guns. Moments later the Bison scored on about a 35 yard pass play to make it 21-6. It certainly made no difference in the long run but come on guys.....it can't be that hard to count to three.
Riverheads sensational freshman running back Cayden Cook-Cash quickly got that score back for the Gladiators to make it 28-6, but then the wheels fell COMPLETELY off the Bison bus. For the rest of the first half, just about anything that could go wrong for the visitors did in fact go wrong as they gift-wrapped three more RHS touchdowns and the halftime lead ballooned to 49-6.
First Zac Smiley made a defensive gem as he tipped a Bison pass to himself to put RHS in scoring position. Later a Gap snap sailed over the punter's head and gave the Gladiators a first and goal at the two. As if all of that wasn't bad enough, BG fumbled at its own 18 to give RHS one final chance to score before the break. Those three scores came so fast and furious that I cannot even remember who scored in what order but quarterback Bennett Dunlap scored on a two-yard keeper, Cy Cox raced around left end and tight-roped the sidelines for a 46-yard scamper, and Landon Lightner hauled in a 15 yard TD pass from Dunlap. When we finally got to the Homecoming festivities, Cox was crowned King to basketball star Savannah Crawford's Queen.
Due to the lengthy halftime, the running second half clock was actually a blessing, but the two teams certainly crammed a lot of action into those last two quarters. Cook-Cash (who apparently is sometimes referred to as "Triple C") gave the Gladiators their highlight-reel play of the night when he did his best Zac Smiley impression, as he tipped a Bison pass to himself and juggled it on the way down, finally hauling it in just before he hit the ground for RHS' second pick of the game. That led to a feel-good touchdown from junior running back Aiden Miller, who was seeing his first action back from an ankle injury.
The final Gladiator score came from sophomore running back Luke Bryant, who broke several tackles on his way to a 30 yard run in the final minutes. The Bison managed two more scores of their own in the second half and they can take comfort from knowing that they scored more against Riverheads than anyone else has this season, topping the 17-point effort from Tazewell in the season-opener.
That brings up an interesting sub-plot to next week's big showdown against the Cougars. The Draft has given up just one, count it, ONE touchdown in its five victories, and even that was scored in the final seconds of a rout over Wilson. Riverheads on the other hand may be averaging 49 points per game but they are giving up 11 points on defense and have not shut out anyone. So as you talk around the water cooler this week, be sure to discuss whether than dominant Draft defense will be able to shut down that potent Gladiator offense.
Aren't we lucky that we only have to wait six days to find out instead of the usual seven? Thursday will also be April Fool's Day, but only one of those teams will have the last laugh at the other's expense. Meanwhile, we hope you have stocked up on snacks and your beverages of choice for the longggg weekend of Sweet Sixteen action, which begins in about 13 hours. Enjoy!!!
It was Homecoming at Riverheads and the Smiley Brothers, Zac and Noah, combined for the first three scores as the Big Red wasted little time getting started. Zac scored on a short run just three minutes into the game, and on the home team's second possession he rambled 58 yards to set up a second score. Little Brother Noah (who is by no means "little" by the way!) hammered in one of his own as RHS led 21-0 at the first horn.
The Bison then caught a puzzling break from the officials early in the second quarter that helped them get on the board. Facing a first down near midfield, they threw a pass that at first appeared to be complete, but was ruled incomplete. They then ran a routine running play. So are you counting with me.....that was first and second down, right? But no, the refs insisted that the next down (third) was only second, and the drive continued. The PA announcer, who was right on top of the situation, questioned loudly and clearly why they were insisting it was still second down but the stripes stuck to their guns. Moments later the Bison scored on about a 35 yard pass play to make it 21-6. It certainly made no difference in the long run but come on guys.....it can't be that hard to count to three.
Riverheads sensational freshman running back Cayden Cook-Cash quickly got that score back for the Gladiators to make it 28-6, but then the wheels fell COMPLETELY off the Bison bus. For the rest of the first half, just about anything that could go wrong for the visitors did in fact go wrong as they gift-wrapped three more RHS touchdowns and the halftime lead ballooned to 49-6.
First Zac Smiley made a defensive gem as he tipped a Bison pass to himself to put RHS in scoring position. Later a Gap snap sailed over the punter's head and gave the Gladiators a first and goal at the two. As if all of that wasn't bad enough, BG fumbled at its own 18 to give RHS one final chance to score before the break. Those three scores came so fast and furious that I cannot even remember who scored in what order but quarterback Bennett Dunlap scored on a two-yard keeper, Cy Cox raced around left end and tight-roped the sidelines for a 46-yard scamper, and Landon Lightner hauled in a 15 yard TD pass from Dunlap. When we finally got to the Homecoming festivities, Cox was crowned King to basketball star Savannah Crawford's Queen.
Due to the lengthy halftime, the running second half clock was actually a blessing, but the two teams certainly crammed a lot of action into those last two quarters. Cook-Cash (who apparently is sometimes referred to as "Triple C") gave the Gladiators their highlight-reel play of the night when he did his best Zac Smiley impression, as he tipped a Bison pass to himself and juggled it on the way down, finally hauling it in just before he hit the ground for RHS' second pick of the game. That led to a feel-good touchdown from junior running back Aiden Miller, who was seeing his first action back from an ankle injury.
The final Gladiator score came from sophomore running back Luke Bryant, who broke several tackles on his way to a 30 yard run in the final minutes. The Bison managed two more scores of their own in the second half and they can take comfort from knowing that they scored more against Riverheads than anyone else has this season, topping the 17-point effort from Tazewell in the season-opener.
That brings up an interesting sub-plot to next week's big showdown against the Cougars. The Draft has given up just one, count it, ONE touchdown in its five victories, and even that was scored in the final seconds of a rout over Wilson. Riverheads on the other hand may be averaging 49 points per game but they are giving up 11 points on defense and have not shut out anyone. So as you talk around the water cooler this week, be sure to discuss whether than dominant Draft defense will be able to shut down that potent Gladiator offense.
Aren't we lucky that we only have to wait six days to find out instead of the usual seven? Thursday will also be April Fool's Day, but only one of those teams will have the last laugh at the other's expense. Meanwhile, we hope you have stocked up on snacks and your beverages of choice for the longggg weekend of Sweet Sixteen action, which begins in about 13 hours. Enjoy!!!
