These two schools have had their share of slobberknockers over the years, so there was no reason for tonight to be any different. The game was especially meaningful because each team came into the evening with two straight losses and neither wanted that third loss on their record.
Each had also had the misfortune of being manhandled by an aggressive Buffalo Gap defense in recent games to the point that they likely came into tonight's action questioning their own offensive capabilities. But each one managed to kick things into high gear as Wilson tallied two scores in the first quarter, only to see Riverheads score twice in the second and take the lead for good. But even after the Gladiators moved in front by two scores, Wilson still made it interesting by scoring in the final minute, leaving an onside kick as the play that finally settled the issue.
Although both teams moved the ball at will, ironically Riverheads won the game thanks to three great defensive plays. With Wilson leading 10-7 early in the second and possibly looking like the team with the momentum, the Hornets gambled not once but twice on 4th and less than one while still in their own territory. The Big Red defense rose to the occasion both times, stopped the runner cold, took over in Hornet territory and eventually scored.
Those two defensive stops turned the Hornets' three point lead into a 22-10 halftime lead for the home team. But after Wilson scored to cut the lead to 22-17, Riverheads needed another defensive stop and got it......this time with a Trevor Lima interception. The Gladiators took full advantage of that turnover to score their final TD of the game and move ahead 29-17 midway through the fourth.
However, with his team out of time outs, Logan Podgorski uncorked his prettiest pass of the night, which his receiver hauled it at the RHS three. Moments later they were in the end zone to trim the lead to 29-24, but with only 54 seconds left. The Gladiators were not about to lose another one in the final seconds, so when Copper Arehart fell on the onside kick, the Big Red faithful could finally heave a sigh of relief.
The stars were many for both teams and the big plays kept the crowd at the edge of their seats. A pair of senior running backs got the party started with nearly identical plays. Clinton Coffey put the Hornets in front with a long sweep around left end where he beat the defense once he turned the corner. But on RHS' first possession, Jackson Fitzgerald scored on basically the same play to tie the score at 7-7. On Wilson's next possession, they stopped themselves deep in RHS territory with a penalty and had to settle for a Maddox Woods field goal, that gave them their final lead of the game as the first quarter ended.
After that first defensive gem, RHS quarterback Kendal Edwards scored on a just-refused-to-give-up sneak from about eight yards out, as he appeared to drag the entire Wilson defense across the goal line with him. Bryan Lopez-Rojas' PAT put the Big Red on top for good at 14-10.
Moments later, Wilson's second gamble failed and the Gladiators responded with their most impressive sequence of the night. Edwards found Lima in the end zone for a perfect strike. However the refs ruled that he was guilty of excessive celebration. That backed the Big Red up 15 yards for the PAT. Lopez-Rojas came up short but a penalty on the Hornets gave Riverheads new life. This time they went for two and Edwards found Fitzgerald in the end zone for the completion.
Riverheads took the second half kick-off with hopes of killing some time and taking a three-score lead, but that entire possession backfired miserably. As a result, Wilson only had to drive 30 yards after a punt to score the TD that brought them to within 22-17.
The Green Team soon had the ball back and were on their way to a potential winning TD, when Lima snagged his pick. That led to Spencer Simpson scoring the final Big Red TD of the night. As you knew they would, the Hornets then made their final desperation drive and got the game back to a one-TD margin, but could not convert the onside kick.
Although four different Gladiators scored tonight, the Big Red also got some hard yards in the trenches from Skyler Shiflett, Rylan Payne, and Gage Hutton. Other Hornets who heard their name called often tonight included Nolan Deaver and Ainsley McAllister. Sorry but I did not catch the name of the guy who hauled in that final Podgorski pass.
Best wishes also go out to Hornet senior lineman Kenneth Wharam, who suffered an injury late in the game. Unfortunately the rescue squad on duty had just been called away, so a replacement unit had to be summoned. Both teams and their fan bases were to be commended for the show of solidarity as he was taken from the field. The nature of the injury was not clear.
With tonight's win, Riverheads moves to 1-2 in district play but 3-2 overall. Wilson has already had a bye week and is therefore now 0-2 in the league and only 1-3 overall. Interestingly, each team's next game will be against Fort Defiance. Wilson will host the Indians next Friday, whereas RHS will travel to the Fort in two weeks after a bye next week.
Speaking of those Indians, Buffalo Gap must have relaxed its defense tonight because the Fort scored three times against them. But the Bison scored at will, winning that border war 41-21.
Riverheads fans will not be completely football-less next week as their JVs will host Page County Wednesday night as they look to remain unbeaten.
Each had also had the misfortune of being manhandled by an aggressive Buffalo Gap defense in recent games to the point that they likely came into tonight's action questioning their own offensive capabilities. But each one managed to kick things into high gear as Wilson tallied two scores in the first quarter, only to see Riverheads score twice in the second and take the lead for good. But even after the Gladiators moved in front by two scores, Wilson still made it interesting by scoring in the final minute, leaving an onside kick as the play that finally settled the issue.
Although both teams moved the ball at will, ironically Riverheads won the game thanks to three great defensive plays. With Wilson leading 10-7 early in the second and possibly looking like the team with the momentum, the Hornets gambled not once but twice on 4th and less than one while still in their own territory. The Big Red defense rose to the occasion both times, stopped the runner cold, took over in Hornet territory and eventually scored.
Those two defensive stops turned the Hornets' three point lead into a 22-10 halftime lead for the home team. But after Wilson scored to cut the lead to 22-17, Riverheads needed another defensive stop and got it......this time with a Trevor Lima interception. The Gladiators took full advantage of that turnover to score their final TD of the game and move ahead 29-17 midway through the fourth.
However, with his team out of time outs, Logan Podgorski uncorked his prettiest pass of the night, which his receiver hauled it at the RHS three. Moments later they were in the end zone to trim the lead to 29-24, but with only 54 seconds left. The Gladiators were not about to lose another one in the final seconds, so when Copper Arehart fell on the onside kick, the Big Red faithful could finally heave a sigh of relief.
The stars were many for both teams and the big plays kept the crowd at the edge of their seats. A pair of senior running backs got the party started with nearly identical plays. Clinton Coffey put the Hornets in front with a long sweep around left end where he beat the defense once he turned the corner. But on RHS' first possession, Jackson Fitzgerald scored on basically the same play to tie the score at 7-7. On Wilson's next possession, they stopped themselves deep in RHS territory with a penalty and had to settle for a Maddox Woods field goal, that gave them their final lead of the game as the first quarter ended.
After that first defensive gem, RHS quarterback Kendal Edwards scored on a just-refused-to-give-up sneak from about eight yards out, as he appeared to drag the entire Wilson defense across the goal line with him. Bryan Lopez-Rojas' PAT put the Big Red on top for good at 14-10.
Moments later, Wilson's second gamble failed and the Gladiators responded with their most impressive sequence of the night. Edwards found Lima in the end zone for a perfect strike. However the refs ruled that he was guilty of excessive celebration. That backed the Big Red up 15 yards for the PAT. Lopez-Rojas came up short but a penalty on the Hornets gave Riverheads new life. This time they went for two and Edwards found Fitzgerald in the end zone for the completion.
Riverheads took the second half kick-off with hopes of killing some time and taking a three-score lead, but that entire possession backfired miserably. As a result, Wilson only had to drive 30 yards after a punt to score the TD that brought them to within 22-17.
The Green Team soon had the ball back and were on their way to a potential winning TD, when Lima snagged his pick. That led to Spencer Simpson scoring the final Big Red TD of the night. As you knew they would, the Hornets then made their final desperation drive and got the game back to a one-TD margin, but could not convert the onside kick.
Although four different Gladiators scored tonight, the Big Red also got some hard yards in the trenches from Skyler Shiflett, Rylan Payne, and Gage Hutton. Other Hornets who heard their name called often tonight included Nolan Deaver and Ainsley McAllister. Sorry but I did not catch the name of the guy who hauled in that final Podgorski pass.
Best wishes also go out to Hornet senior lineman Kenneth Wharam, who suffered an injury late in the game. Unfortunately the rescue squad on duty had just been called away, so a replacement unit had to be summoned. Both teams and their fan bases were to be commended for the show of solidarity as he was taken from the field. The nature of the injury was not clear.
With tonight's win, Riverheads moves to 1-2 in district play but 3-2 overall. Wilson has already had a bye week and is therefore now 0-2 in the league and only 1-3 overall. Interestingly, each team's next game will be against Fort Defiance. Wilson will host the Indians next Friday, whereas RHS will travel to the Fort in two weeks after a bye next week.
Speaking of those Indians, Buffalo Gap must have relaxed its defense tonight because the Fort scored three times against them. But the Bison scored at will, winning that border war 41-21.
Riverheads fans will not be completely football-less next week as their JVs will host Page County Wednesday night as they look to remain unbeaten.
