Maybe it was just because of the damp and dreary day, but this was one of the least exciting and quietest games we have seen in this series in quite some time. The Gladiators just kind of pulled away gradually and there was never any suspense to the game.
Wilson held the Big Red in check for maybe 3 minutes but then Harrison Schaefer broke loose for his signature play around right end and he was off to the races for a 67-yard touchdown, his first of three on the night. The PAT was wide left, leaving the score at 6-0. Later in the first, he scored again, this time from about 7 yards out. The Gladiators tried for two to make up for the missed point, but the pass was knocked down and the score remained 12-0.
The Gladiators scored again early in the second, courtesy of a Wilson miscue. The center snap on a punt rolled along the ground, allowing Riverheads to swoop in on the punter before he could get it off. They blocked his attempted kick and recovered on the 4 yard line. Dalton Jordan scored soon afterwards and a successful kick made it 19-0.
The Wilson crowd finally got to make some noise on the next series as they swept around left end and down the sideline untouched from about 85-90 yards out for their only points of the evening. I believe it was Ty Hevener who scored, but don't quote me.
Riverheads added a third Schaefer TD to make it 26-6 and then as we headed toward halftime, the Gladiators went to the air in an attempt to add one more score. QB Chase Armstrong launched about 3 or 4 passes toward the direction of the end zone. There were no problems with his arm, but most of them were overthrown, indicating that the timing was off just a little. It was likely an experiment to prepare for the playoffs as much as it was a serious threat to score, and the teams headed for the locker room with the score still 26-6.
Any thoughts that Wilson had for staging a comeback were dashed in very short order, as they fumbled on their first play from scrimmage in the third quarter at their own 34 yard line. RHS took full advantage and padded the lead on a Brett Hostetler TD less than 30 seconds into the quarter.
Jordan added his second TD later in the quarter and with the running clock in effect, the Big Red got two final scores from their two quick waterbugs Devin Morris and Jackson Shover. Each one checks in at about 140 pounds but they are lightning quick and can be difficult to find, much less catch once they get out in the open. Each one will no doubt take on a bigger role next year with the departure of Schaefer and Hostetler.
Some of the savvier Gladiator fans took notice down the stretch that the coaching staff generously gave British transfer student Joshua Anikiwui his chance to get in the scorebook when he was sent out to try the PAT following the final TD and also kicked off for the Big Red following that score. Sadly the kick sailed just off to the left, but with Stonewall up next week, maybe he can get another chance. The 5'8" senior, who reportedly has a soccer background, is also listed as a running back, so maybe a carry or two can also come his way next week?
Wilson had once last chance to end the game on a positive note as they drove deep into RHS territory behind some nice runs from Tanner Diehl, but the drive fizzled with a 4th down fumble out of bounds. RHS took over and ran out the clock.
Riverheads, as mentioned, travels to Stonewall next Friday, with the "big one" at Stuarts Draft looming the week after that. Wilson meanwhile will host East Rock next week and finish at Page the final night.
