Gladiators suffer a 2-point defeat

By Doug Layman Correspondent
Published: September 26, 2008

GREENVILLE — The Gladiators had one of those nights where nothing seemed to go quite right.

Riverheads’ homecoming was wet and wild but the Gladiators fell to Clarke County 20-18 in a game that was not decided until the final moments.

After driving the hosts 80 yards in three minutes, Gladiator quarterback Cameron Brown was sacked on an option play for a two-point conversion that would have tied the game and forced an overtime period.

Brown completed four passes and Demetrius Younger ran for 33 yards on just four carries during the final scoring drive as Riverheads (2-2, 0-0 Shenandoah) cut an eight-point deficit to two in the waning moments.

But Brown was cut down in the backfield before the play evolved as Charles Keating became the latest hero at Clarke County High.

The Gladiators drew first blood shortly after a Montana Puffenbarger interception set up the hosts in good field position 60 yards from the end zone. 

A typical Riverheads series followed as Robert Casto’s squad ran off 14 straight running plays in 6:47. A Brandon Campbell two-yard plunge put the Gladiators on the scoreboard. But Dustin Skillman’s kick was off the mark, setting the tone for the rest of the game.

Riverheads, sporting black uniforms, then watched as the Eagles scored the next three touchdowns.

Quarterback Sam Shiley tossed a 60-yard pass to a wide-open Grant Shaw to knot the score and Raymond Smetanick nailed the point after kick.

After holding the Gladiators for a three-and-out, Shiley led the visitors to another score just before the half. Shiley found Tyler Morley for a 38-yard hookup on third-and-13 and Jeremy Rhodes toted the ball six straight times for the final 16 yards and a one-yard score. Smetanick’s kick put the Eagles up 14-6 at the half.

The Gladiators found little offense in the third quarter and 50-yard punt return by Clarke’s Shaw put the Eagles in business at the Riverheads 20. Just as the final frame started, Shaw got the call from the one and pushed it in. This time the Smetanick kick missed its mark, but the score bulged to 20-6.

The Gladiators’ Campbell took the ensuing kickoff in the pouring ran and scampered untouched for an 89-yard kickoff return to put the hosts back in the game. But the Skillman kick was off again and Riverheads trailed 20-12.

A pooch kick failed to work as Clarke (3-2) started its next drive on the Gladiator 46. The Eagles were turned away and a 22-yard field goal attempt by Smetanick hit the upright.

With just over four minutes left, Brown started the final drive but it was too little, too late.

Younger paced the Gladiators with 99 yards on 15 carries while Brown completed six passes for 78 yards.

Riverheads will travel to Bath County on Friday.