Riverheads posted its third shutout of the season tonight and more importantly, left Gypsy Hill Park with a winning record, but it did not come as easily as that headline might sound. The Storm put up a good fight and it was still a 7-0 game midway through the third quarter before the Gladiators finally took command and pulled away. With the win, the Big Red is 4-3 in the Shenandoah and 5-4 overall, with hopes still alive to nail down a home game for the first round of the Region 1-B playoffs.
As it has been all season, the Gladiators were led by the running back trio of Jackson Fitzgerald, Skyler Shiflett and Preston McCauley. After listening to the radio wrap-up, it appears that each scored one TD in the game, although in live action it appeared that Shiflett scored twice. But in the recap, those guys indicated that one touchdown was scored on a Mekhi Meadows fumble recovery in the end zone. As we all know, when 22 bodies are all swarming around one location, things are not always as they seem, so we will go with their explanation.
Ironically Staunton had the first scoring threat of the game. After returning the opening kickoff to midfield, they threw the Big Red an unexpected curve with a halfback option pass. Fortunately for RHS, the pass was a wobbler and that enabled the defense, which had been completely caught off guard, to catch up to the receiver and make the tackle at the 12. Staunton then advanced the ball to the 2, but instead of taking the lead, they fumbled a snap and Riverheads held.
The Gladiators then embarked on a 98-yard drive, the kind that would make any coach proud. McCauley had the biggest run of that drive, rambling up the near sideline for about 35 yards. The drive took about 7 minutes off the clock and I now wonder if the scoring play was the Meadows touchdown. Regardless, the PAT made it 7-0.
For the rest of the half, Staunton tried to match that score with a mostly aerial attack and Riverheads also aired it out a time or two. But neither team scored again and the half ended at 7-0.
The Gladiators then received the second half kick-off and took another 7 minutes off the clock, finally scoring their second TD to go up 13-0. Bryan Lopez-Rojas missed the PAT this time.
The visitors then added their third and fourth TDs in the fourth quarter. Jonah Williams came in to kick those two PATs, nailing the first one perfectly but boinking the second one off the left upright.
Speaking of "visitors" hats off to the dedicated Gladiator fan base, who outnumbered Staunton tonight by at least a 4-1 margin. That has always been a Riverheads trademark, even when they make long road trips, so hopefully we will see that trend continue not only this season but in the years to come.
The Gladiators will now have their Senior Night next Friday with Waynesboro providing the opposition. We will then find out how the spirited battle for the 3/4/5 spots in the playoffs has turned out between our county rivals Buffalo Gap and former district foe Luray. One way or another, two of those teams will be playing each other in the first round.......we just have to determine the who and the where.
As it has been all season, the Gladiators were led by the running back trio of Jackson Fitzgerald, Skyler Shiflett and Preston McCauley. After listening to the radio wrap-up, it appears that each scored one TD in the game, although in live action it appeared that Shiflett scored twice. But in the recap, those guys indicated that one touchdown was scored on a Mekhi Meadows fumble recovery in the end zone. As we all know, when 22 bodies are all swarming around one location, things are not always as they seem, so we will go with their explanation.
Ironically Staunton had the first scoring threat of the game. After returning the opening kickoff to midfield, they threw the Big Red an unexpected curve with a halfback option pass. Fortunately for RHS, the pass was a wobbler and that enabled the defense, which had been completely caught off guard, to catch up to the receiver and make the tackle at the 12. Staunton then advanced the ball to the 2, but instead of taking the lead, they fumbled a snap and Riverheads held.
The Gladiators then embarked on a 98-yard drive, the kind that would make any coach proud. McCauley had the biggest run of that drive, rambling up the near sideline for about 35 yards. The drive took about 7 minutes off the clock and I now wonder if the scoring play was the Meadows touchdown. Regardless, the PAT made it 7-0.
For the rest of the half, Staunton tried to match that score with a mostly aerial attack and Riverheads also aired it out a time or two. But neither team scored again and the half ended at 7-0.
The Gladiators then received the second half kick-off and took another 7 minutes off the clock, finally scoring their second TD to go up 13-0. Bryan Lopez-Rojas missed the PAT this time.
The visitors then added their third and fourth TDs in the fourth quarter. Jonah Williams came in to kick those two PATs, nailing the first one perfectly but boinking the second one off the left upright.
Speaking of "visitors" hats off to the dedicated Gladiator fan base, who outnumbered Staunton tonight by at least a 4-1 margin. That has always been a Riverheads trademark, even when they make long road trips, so hopefully we will see that trend continue not only this season but in the years to come.
The Gladiators will now have their Senior Night next Friday with Waynesboro providing the opposition. We will then find out how the spirited battle for the 3/4/5 spots in the playoffs has turned out between our county rivals Buffalo Gap and former district foe Luray. One way or another, two of those teams will be playing each other in the first round.......we just have to determine the who and the where.