Gladiators overthrow Generals

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Daily Staff Report - sports@nvdaily.com

GREENVILLE -- Riverheads celebrated its 50th homecoming on Friday night by turning back a strong effort from Stonewall Jackson, 38-16, to take sole possession of first place in the Shenandoah District football standings.

Riverheads scored on its first two possessions and appeared to be on the verge of blowing out the visiting Generals.

Jordan Jack scored on a 27-yard run to cap the first drive and Logan Moore matched that with a 27-yard TD romp on the second series. Sam Goodson added both PATs for a quick 14-0 lead.

The Generals then put together an impressive 16-play, 64-yard drive to dent the scoreboard. Trevor Warner scored on a 1-yard run and John-Michael Pirtle hit Matthew McCampbell for the two-point conversion, cutting the lead deficit to 14-8.

The Gladiators answered with quick four-play drive, capped by Jack's 1-yard run for a 20-8 Riverheads lead at the break.

Stonewall made things interesting by taking advantage of a short field to score on its first possession of the second half. Jared Getz bulled over from the 2 and Warner ran for the conversion to cut the Riverheads lead to 20-16.

It didn't take long for Riverheads' Moore to answer. The speedy back took the ensuing kickoff 81 yards for a touchdown, but a penalty nullified the score. On the next play, Moore scored on a 52-yard run and Zach Clymore passed to Cody Swisher for two points, making the score 28-16.

The Generals turned the ball over on their next series when the Gladiators pounced on a fumble at the SJ 45.

Riverheads overcame four penalties on the drive, one that wiped out a TD, to eventually find the end zone. On fourth-and-goal from the 6, Clymore found David King wide open for the score. Goodson's PAT made the score 35-16.

Penalties again stymied the Gladiators on their next drive as a holding penalty wiped out another touchdown pass. This time the drive stalled, but Goodson split the uprights for a 42-yard field goal, making the count 38-16.