And I mean that literally because if the Cougars completed a pass tonight, I don't remember it. Instead they unleashed a potent ground game featuring a player that will most likely re-write the record books before he leaves the Draft. I didn't have a program for reference but I was told he is only an eighth-grader. The name is Baylor Graber, which you have to admit is a pretty cool football name.
He not only rushed for 3 or 4 touchdowns, but he added some two-point PATS, he handled the kickoff chores, and he was in on what seemed to be just about every defensive play. If there had been a radio station there tonight, he would have probably found a way to run up to the press box between plays and handle the commentary on the game. So Cougar fans are no doubt licking their chops and if he really is as good as he looked tonight, the Draft will be a force to reckon with for quite some time. Definitely NOT good news for the rest of the district.....
I left with about a minute left, so I assume the final was 50-30. The Cougars had just taken possession for one final time, and I certainly assume they did not make any further attempt to score. But the game was not exactly a runaway as RHS had some moments of its own that kept things interesting.
The Gladiators in fact drew first blood, as they drove the length of the field, all on the ground, to score off the opening kick-off. The Cougars quickly tied the score on their first possession and then put the game away with a 30-point second period. To their credit, the Gladiators played hard the second half and did not go away quietly.
In fact the visitors had three different but equally exciting plays that kept them in the game. In the middle of that explosive second quarter with the Draft ahead 24-8, the Gladiators connected on a very nice 60 yard TD pass in which QB Ethan Mulcahy lofted the ball just inches over the head of the defender and Brody Phillips hauled it in and took it in for the score. That closed the gap to 24-14 at the time, but the Cougars scored twice more before half to safeguard their working margin.
The second big RHS play of the night came on the second half kickoff, when they surprised the Cougars with a nicely-executed onside kick, which they covered after it had gone about 11 yards. They took that in to score their third TD of the game and stay within reach at 38-22.
However, the not-to-be-denied Cougars scored again to double up the Big Red at 44-22, before Riverheads responded one final time with an impressive 65 yard kickoff return by Jonathan Talbott, leading to a touchdown that narrowed the deficit to 44-30 early in the final period. But the Gladiators were unable to draw any closer and the Cougars added an insurance TD by you-know-who to round out the scoring.
The loss was Riverheads' first of the season after opening with wins over Waynesboro and Parry McCluer. They now have three weeks off before resuming the season with five more district games. They will travel to Buffalo Gap on Wednesday, October 5th.
I believe I am correct that Stuarts Draft is undefeated on the season and if Mr. Graber continues to perform as he did tonight, they will be the team to beat this season in the Shenandoah JV circles.
He not only rushed for 3 or 4 touchdowns, but he added some two-point PATS, he handled the kickoff chores, and he was in on what seemed to be just about every defensive play. If there had been a radio station there tonight, he would have probably found a way to run up to the press box between plays and handle the commentary on the game. So Cougar fans are no doubt licking their chops and if he really is as good as he looked tonight, the Draft will be a force to reckon with for quite some time. Definitely NOT good news for the rest of the district.....
I left with about a minute left, so I assume the final was 50-30. The Cougars had just taken possession for one final time, and I certainly assume they did not make any further attempt to score. But the game was not exactly a runaway as RHS had some moments of its own that kept things interesting.
The Gladiators in fact drew first blood, as they drove the length of the field, all on the ground, to score off the opening kick-off. The Cougars quickly tied the score on their first possession and then put the game away with a 30-point second period. To their credit, the Gladiators played hard the second half and did not go away quietly.
In fact the visitors had three different but equally exciting plays that kept them in the game. In the middle of that explosive second quarter with the Draft ahead 24-8, the Gladiators connected on a very nice 60 yard TD pass in which QB Ethan Mulcahy lofted the ball just inches over the head of the defender and Brody Phillips hauled it in and took it in for the score. That closed the gap to 24-14 at the time, but the Cougars scored twice more before half to safeguard their working margin.
The second big RHS play of the night came on the second half kickoff, when they surprised the Cougars with a nicely-executed onside kick, which they covered after it had gone about 11 yards. They took that in to score their third TD of the game and stay within reach at 38-22.
However, the not-to-be-denied Cougars scored again to double up the Big Red at 44-22, before Riverheads responded one final time with an impressive 65 yard kickoff return by Jonathan Talbott, leading to a touchdown that narrowed the deficit to 44-30 early in the final period. But the Gladiators were unable to draw any closer and the Cougars added an insurance TD by you-know-who to round out the scoring.
The loss was Riverheads' first of the season after opening with wins over Waynesboro and Parry McCluer. They now have three weeks off before resuming the season with five more district games. They will travel to Buffalo Gap on Wednesday, October 5th.
I believe I am correct that Stuarts Draft is undefeated on the season and if Mr. Graber continues to perform as he did tonight, they will be the team to beat this season in the Shenandoah JV circles.
