Riverheads @ Staunton
- Thread starter gladiatorgrad10
- Start date
But he didn't tell us who won!!!!!!!! So who did???????Huh huh? Quick tell us!!!
Seriously with 6-1 Riverheads making the trip to 7-1 Staunton on Senior Night, I don't think even the most devoted diehard Gladiator fan ever thought we would see a running clock in this one, but sure enough we did, and I sure don't think anyone expected this to be the night RHS would pitch its only shutout of the season but sure enough they did, behind three touchdowns from Triple C and an obviously stout defense.
So stout in fact that I don't think Staunton made it inside the RHS 30 tonight and they failed to have even one of those big explosive plays that we had been reading about all season. However that does not mean that RHS played a "perfect" game.
Far from it because they drove the fans and coaches crazy with one of their most penalty-plagued games of the season. I distinctly remember three holding calls, a personal foul, and at least three false starts or offsides. That is far too many miscues for this late in the season and if this had been a closer game, it could have changed the outcome. Needless to say, those little yellow hankies will be a point of emphasis in this upcoming week's Big Red practice sessions.
Despite that lopsided final score, this was only a 7-0 game heading into the final minute of the first half. The Gladiators had eaten up exactly half the first quarter clock as they took the opening kickoff steadily down the field for a TD. They stopped themselves momentarily on one of those holding calls but finally QB Bennett Dunlap swept right end on a bootleg to put the visitors ahead to stay.
Then in the second quarter, they took over at the 6:43 mark and ran the clock all the way down to 15.7 before Triple C pushed it across on a fourth down play. Again they hindered the drive along the way with a holding call.
So with a halftime score of 14-0 and The Storm receiving the second half kickoff the game was by no means over. And sure enough they came out fired up and for a brief moment seemed more energized and determined to get back into the game.
They put together a couple of first downs and eased into Riverheads territory, but the Gladiators stopped them on downs. From that point on, absolutely nothing went right for Staunton. In fact the most exciting second half play for Staunton was a punt that added up to about 65 yards including its roll.
After RHS stopped Staunton on that first possession, Triple C was off and running down the near sideline. He did not score but a horse collar penalty left the Big Red sitting pretty. Staunton momentarily held tough but Triple C's second score of the night made it 21-0.
On the ensuing kickoff, Staunton fumbled and RHS was right back in business. Again it came down to a crucial fourth down play but Dunlap found Austin Roberts in the right corner of the end zone and that touchdown removed any doubt about the outcome. Triple C then added one more score midway through the fourth quarter to make it 35-0 and put the running clock in motion.
With three touchdowns, you might think he was the player of the game. Yes, he and running mate Luke Bryant were a lot for The Storm to handle, but the game ball just might have to go to fullback Cody Cash tonight. He had some incredibly tough runs right up the gut and more often than not, gained 6-8 yards, especially on first down carries. Hats off also to place kicker Zac Brooks who was 5-5 tonight and has been on a roll lately.
So other than that frustrating penalty problem, this was the Big Red's most well-rounded game of the season. They will need another one next week when Stuarts Draft rolls into Greenville. The Cougars barely squeaked past Fort Defiance tonight 10-7 but that was still good enough to leave them one game behind Riverheads, thereby making next week's game THE Shenandoah District championship game as it has been several times in recent years.
Meanwhile in the shocker of the evening, Wilson traveled out to Buffalo Gap and manhandled the Bison by something like 42-20. The Hornets will now host Staunton next week with each jockeying for the best possible position in the Region 3-C playoffs. Buffalo Gap will host Fort Defiance and given tonight's two results, that one is now totally unpredictable.
Seriously with 6-1 Riverheads making the trip to 7-1 Staunton on Senior Night, I don't think even the most devoted diehard Gladiator fan ever thought we would see a running clock in this one, but sure enough we did, and I sure don't think anyone expected this to be the night RHS would pitch its only shutout of the season but sure enough they did, behind three touchdowns from Triple C and an obviously stout defense.
So stout in fact that I don't think Staunton made it inside the RHS 30 tonight and they failed to have even one of those big explosive plays that we had been reading about all season. However that does not mean that RHS played a "perfect" game.
Far from it because they drove the fans and coaches crazy with one of their most penalty-plagued games of the season. I distinctly remember three holding calls, a personal foul, and at least three false starts or offsides. That is far too many miscues for this late in the season and if this had been a closer game, it could have changed the outcome. Needless to say, those little yellow hankies will be a point of emphasis in this upcoming week's Big Red practice sessions.
Despite that lopsided final score, this was only a 7-0 game heading into the final minute of the first half. The Gladiators had eaten up exactly half the first quarter clock as they took the opening kickoff steadily down the field for a TD. They stopped themselves momentarily on one of those holding calls but finally QB Bennett Dunlap swept right end on a bootleg to put the visitors ahead to stay.
Then in the second quarter, they took over at the 6:43 mark and ran the clock all the way down to 15.7 before Triple C pushed it across on a fourth down play. Again they hindered the drive along the way with a holding call.
So with a halftime score of 14-0 and The Storm receiving the second half kickoff the game was by no means over. And sure enough they came out fired up and for a brief moment seemed more energized and determined to get back into the game.
They put together a couple of first downs and eased into Riverheads territory, but the Gladiators stopped them on downs. From that point on, absolutely nothing went right for Staunton. In fact the most exciting second half play for Staunton was a punt that added up to about 65 yards including its roll.
After RHS stopped Staunton on that first possession, Triple C was off and running down the near sideline. He did not score but a horse collar penalty left the Big Red sitting pretty. Staunton momentarily held tough but Triple C's second score of the night made it 21-0.
On the ensuing kickoff, Staunton fumbled and RHS was right back in business. Again it came down to a crucial fourth down play but Dunlap found Austin Roberts in the right corner of the end zone and that touchdown removed any doubt about the outcome. Triple C then added one more score midway through the fourth quarter to make it 35-0 and put the running clock in motion.
With three touchdowns, you might think he was the player of the game. Yes, he and running mate Luke Bryant were a lot for The Storm to handle, but the game ball just might have to go to fullback Cody Cash tonight. He had some incredibly tough runs right up the gut and more often than not, gained 6-8 yards, especially on first down carries. Hats off also to place kicker Zac Brooks who was 5-5 tonight and has been on a roll lately.
So other than that frustrating penalty problem, this was the Big Red's most well-rounded game of the season. They will need another one next week when Stuarts Draft rolls into Greenville. The Cougars barely squeaked past Fort Defiance tonight 10-7 but that was still good enough to leave them one game behind Riverheads, thereby making next week's game THE Shenandoah District championship game as it has been several times in recent years.
Meanwhile in the shocker of the evening, Wilson traveled out to Buffalo Gap and manhandled the Bison by something like 42-20. The Hornets will now host Staunton next week with each jockeying for the best possible position in the Region 3-C playoffs. Buffalo Gap will host Fort Defiance and given tonight's two results, that one is now totally unpredictable.
A few observations on this game and in general.
First off this is a much improved Storm team regardless of the final score. I feel they were very conservative in the first half by trying to run a bit more than they should have but the Gladiator defense looked much better tonight so it was tough sledding either way.
Secondly, there were more penalties than we normally see this late by Riverheads. IMO it seemed like holding was called in particular on certain plays. Not saying they weren’t there but it was somewhat odd that what seemed like every 5+ yard run to that side was flagged.
Third, the pass defense is still finding its legs but did look much better overall. A few players have moved around and are getting more comfortable in those roles.
Finally, IF Riverheads can get by Draft in this final regular season game, have the defense playing downhill and being the aggressor, and clean up those penalties, I think this team can compete with the other handful of teams in class 1 that have a legitimate shot at hoisting the trophy in Salem. I am warning everyone though, if this team does get to and/or win in Salem, this will not be the 3 touchdown blowouts all the way to December we have seen. Partly due to a few inefficiencies that are diligently being worked on but also due to some good football being played in other parts of the state as well. The ride starts with this week of practice.
First off this is a much improved Storm team regardless of the final score. I feel they were very conservative in the first half by trying to run a bit more than they should have but the Gladiator defense looked much better tonight so it was tough sledding either way.
Secondly, there were more penalties than we normally see this late by Riverheads. IMO it seemed like holding was called in particular on certain plays. Not saying they weren’t there but it was somewhat odd that what seemed like every 5+ yard run to that side was flagged.
Third, the pass defense is still finding its legs but did look much better overall. A few players have moved around and are getting more comfortable in those roles.
Finally, IF Riverheads can get by Draft in this final regular season game, have the defense playing downhill and being the aggressor, and clean up those penalties, I think this team can compete with the other handful of teams in class 1 that have a legitimate shot at hoisting the trophy in Salem. I am warning everyone though, if this team does get to and/or win in Salem, this will not be the 3 touchdown blowouts all the way to December we have seen. Partly due to a few inefficiencies that are diligently being worked on but also due to some good football being played in other parts of the state as well. The ride starts with this week of practice.
Looks like they started 7 seniors on D so maybe not so young but they are a scrappy bunch. Good luck the rest of the season!
From my observations the big differences in this game were that the long drives were Staunton's D down in the second half and kept their offense off the field. It was only 7-0 until a few seconds before the half. Second half, Staunton turned the ball over a few times and you can't do that to a team like Riverheads who capitalized on all of them. Staunton limited the big play until the 2nd half, but once Riverheads hit one the atmosphere changed. Riverheads D did an excellent job shutting down a once potent offense. Finally and I don't know how much of a difference it would have been, but talking to a Staunton HS person, they said the school has a F policy where if a player has an F, they are ineligible for the week. They said last 4 weeks there have been numerous players on the list and 4 starters have been out the last few weeks. A team like Staunton that only has 25-30 total players, that can't be good.
To all those doubters who started crowing when RHS lost to LB, your doubt should have been erased weeks ago. The younger Cash brother ran really hard and impressed me as did the entire RHS D.
To all those doubters who started crowing when RHS lost to LB, your doubt should have been erased weeks ago. The younger Cash brother ran really hard and impressed me as did the entire RHS D.
@Ampipe_High not sure which Cash you are referring to but the FB (Cody Cash) is a senior and the WB (CCC) is a Junior. Both run hard and while C2 doesn’t have breakaway speed he is a smart inside runner.
The FB. Thanks for the clarification on their grades. Someone had told me that C2 was younger than CCC. Both have great vision.
I didn't want to post this until I had consulted with one of my sources but I have now verified that Cody and Cayden are not brothers. They might be more distantly related but are not brothers.
