Although the main event is tomorrow night in Fishersville, a large contingent of fans from both schools convened in Greenville tonight for JV football and JV/Varsity volleyball. Those of us who chose to got to see a little bit of action both inside and outside on a nice crisp evening.
RHS won the JV football game 52-14 but in all fairness to Wilson it was a closer game than that. The Hornets actually scored first, on their first play from scrimmage in fact to grab a quick 6-0 lead. After Riverheads scored back to back touchdowns to take a 14-6 advantage, Wilson knotted the score at 14-14. All of that action took place in the first seven minutes of the game.
Riverheads scored once more in the first and once in the second quarter, leaving the issue still very much in doubt with a 28-14 halftime tally. But the Gladiators then scored three times in the second half, adding a two-point PAT each time to account for the final score.
The Gladiators were led by an exceptional individual performance from freshman running back Luke Bryant, who scored four touchdowns, all on long runs. Two of his scores covered more than 70 yards. When he was not exploding for the big one, he and his running mate Cayden Cook-Cash, were ripping off big gashes on short yardage plays as each one refused to go down, and Wilson had trouble all night tackling either one of them.
The Big Red only passed once all night but it went for a 38 yard completion from Chris Brooks to J C Hagy that set up a score. However the honors for most entertaining player to watch might have to go to a Wilson player. I did not get a roster but I think his name was Braden Poole or something like that. He appeared to be no more than 5 foot and maybe 100 pounds but he scored the first Wilson TD and faked out the Gladiators several other times on big runs.
Truth is Wilson had some talent on the offensive side of the ball but they could not stay out of their own way as penalties and timing issues kept them from operating as smoothly as they could have. The win moves Riverheads to 3-0 as their abbreviated schedule this season will have only 7 games. Unofficially Wilson is 2-4 after tonight. The Gladiators will be at Fort Defiance next Thursday for a 6:00 kickoff.
As for volleyball, a near capacity crowd with a pair of rowdy student sections was treated to a real donnybrook as the Big Red handed Wilson its first loss of the season, as the home team won in four sets. Since I joined the action late and since I don't know the rules worth a hoot, I can only give you some general highlights but it was well worth the half hour I spent in the gym.
First of all, I understand that Wilson won the JV match 2-1. As for the varsity, we had heard up on the hill that the Gladiators took the first set 25-23. So based on that score alone, that one had to be a classic. Wilson then won the second, but I have no details because the match was tied at 1-1 when I walked in the gym. The third set had just started and RHS was holding a 3-1 lead.
As it turned out, they would not relinquish that lead as they stretched it out to 20-10 at one point before Wilson had a rally to close to within 23-20. But RHS regained control and won that set 25-21.
The fourth and deciding set pretty much followed the same script but was a lot tighter. Riverheads trailed only once at 4-3, before they caught fire and moved out to a 13-4 advantage. They were still leading 20-13 when the Hornets caught fire and trimmed the lead to 20-19. Wilson never took the lead but they did forge a tie at 24 and had the serve on their side. But adrenaline set in and the server smashed that one a good 6 feet out of bounds to put RHS up 25-24. They then ended the match with the set point to win 26-24.
Again remembering that I don't know the rules and half the time it seems to me as if the point should go to the opposite side from the one that gets it, I have to be fair and mention that Wilson fans howled loudly and frequently during those last two sets over the officiating. But who am I to say if it was poorly officiated or if they were just supporting their team and did not want to lose their first match of the season?
Whatever the case it was a wild atmosphere and the Big Red was having a "Pink Out" to support Breast Cancer Awareness month. I assume these two teams will clash again in Fishersville before this month is out so that one should be a wild affair as well.
Next up is of course varsity football, kicking off at 7:00 tomorrow night at the Hive.
RHS won the JV football game 52-14 but in all fairness to Wilson it was a closer game than that. The Hornets actually scored first, on their first play from scrimmage in fact to grab a quick 6-0 lead. After Riverheads scored back to back touchdowns to take a 14-6 advantage, Wilson knotted the score at 14-14. All of that action took place in the first seven minutes of the game.
Riverheads scored once more in the first and once in the second quarter, leaving the issue still very much in doubt with a 28-14 halftime tally. But the Gladiators then scored three times in the second half, adding a two-point PAT each time to account for the final score.
The Gladiators were led by an exceptional individual performance from freshman running back Luke Bryant, who scored four touchdowns, all on long runs. Two of his scores covered more than 70 yards. When he was not exploding for the big one, he and his running mate Cayden Cook-Cash, were ripping off big gashes on short yardage plays as each one refused to go down, and Wilson had trouble all night tackling either one of them.
The Big Red only passed once all night but it went for a 38 yard completion from Chris Brooks to J C Hagy that set up a score. However the honors for most entertaining player to watch might have to go to a Wilson player. I did not get a roster but I think his name was Braden Poole or something like that. He appeared to be no more than 5 foot and maybe 100 pounds but he scored the first Wilson TD and faked out the Gladiators several other times on big runs.
Truth is Wilson had some talent on the offensive side of the ball but they could not stay out of their own way as penalties and timing issues kept them from operating as smoothly as they could have. The win moves Riverheads to 3-0 as their abbreviated schedule this season will have only 7 games. Unofficially Wilson is 2-4 after tonight. The Gladiators will be at Fort Defiance next Thursday for a 6:00 kickoff.
As for volleyball, a near capacity crowd with a pair of rowdy student sections was treated to a real donnybrook as the Big Red handed Wilson its first loss of the season, as the home team won in four sets. Since I joined the action late and since I don't know the rules worth a hoot, I can only give you some general highlights but it was well worth the half hour I spent in the gym.
First of all, I understand that Wilson won the JV match 2-1. As for the varsity, we had heard up on the hill that the Gladiators took the first set 25-23. So based on that score alone, that one had to be a classic. Wilson then won the second, but I have no details because the match was tied at 1-1 when I walked in the gym. The third set had just started and RHS was holding a 3-1 lead.
As it turned out, they would not relinquish that lead as they stretched it out to 20-10 at one point before Wilson had a rally to close to within 23-20. But RHS regained control and won that set 25-21.
The fourth and deciding set pretty much followed the same script but was a lot tighter. Riverheads trailed only once at 4-3, before they caught fire and moved out to a 13-4 advantage. They were still leading 20-13 when the Hornets caught fire and trimmed the lead to 20-19. Wilson never took the lead but they did forge a tie at 24 and had the serve on their side. But adrenaline set in and the server smashed that one a good 6 feet out of bounds to put RHS up 25-24. They then ended the match with the set point to win 26-24.
Again remembering that I don't know the rules and half the time it seems to me as if the point should go to the opposite side from the one that gets it, I have to be fair and mention that Wilson fans howled loudly and frequently during those last two sets over the officiating. But who am I to say if it was poorly officiated or if they were just supporting their team and did not want to lose their first match of the season?
Whatever the case it was a wild atmosphere and the Big Red was having a "Pink Out" to support Breast Cancer Awareness month. I assume these two teams will clash again in Fishersville before this month is out so that one should be a wild affair as well.
Next up is of course varsity football, kicking off at 7:00 tomorrow night at the Hive.
