Area football fans expected a close game when Roanoke County schools Glenvar and Northside met for the first time since 1969 last Friday. That’s not what they got, as Glenvar dominated the host Vikings on Jim Hickam Field in a 28-7 win.
Both teams came into the game at 3-0 but having played weak teams in the first three weeks of the schedule. So, it was difficult to tell what to expect.
Certainly the Vikings, who scored 134 points in their first three games, didn’t expect to get shut out for three and a half quarters by Glenvar. The Vikings boasted of having their fastest team in years, but last Friday they found nowhere to run.
“We have some good athletes, too,” said Glenvar coach Kevin Clifford. “Our kids understand their roles and play well together as a team.”
Glenvar got on the board early. On their first series quarterback Brody Dawyot found Jace Forster behind the defense for a 48 yard pickup that carried inside the Northside five yard line. Ranger Swanson did the honors from one yard out and Glenvar had the lead before two minutes of clock time had expired.
The Highlanders threatened again on their next series but an unsportsmanlike penalty was called for spinning the ball after a catch. That moved from the offense from the shadow of the goal posts and the Vikings dodged a bullet when their defense held. On the ensuing series Northside moved into Glenvar territory on a long pass play but the Highlanders stoned them on fourth and one at the Glenvar 38 and sent the offense back on the field. A Brody Dawyot to Tre Dawyot combination was the big play as Glenvar marched 62 yards to paydirt with Brody taking it in for the score from two yards out. The Highlanders held again on fourth and one, this time at the Glenvar 45, and the visitors had a 14-0 lead at the half.
Northside got the ball first in the second half but went nowhere. Glenvar took over on the Viking 35 and a 29 yard pass from Dawyot to Cooper Mullins put the Highlanders up 21-0. Mullins high-pointed the pass in the end zone over a Viking defender as the Glenvar crowd smelled blood in the water.
It was Dawyot to Mullins again to set up Glenvar’s final TD. This one went for a 45 yard gain and the drive resulted in a touchdown pass to sophomore Haden Henderson. Northside scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter and the only significance was that it was the first TD scored on the Highlander defense in the first four games.
“I thought we played pretty well,” said Clifford. “We lost some good linemen last year and we can’t just reload, but our line is really settling in.”
Brody Dawyot finished the game 12 for 17 passing for 212 yards and two scores and he ran three times for 38 yards and a touchdown. Swanson had 19 carries for 87 yards.
Mullins had his best night of the young season with nine catches for 95 yards. Tre Dawyot had four catches for 54 and Henderson, Forster and Cale Vaughan had one reception each.
On defense Jake Franklin led the way with 11 tackles, including a sack. Jacob Campbell had 10 tackles and Nick Wilson and Rawlin Hanks had nine each, and Nick had two sacks. Tre Dawyot had an interception.
The Highlanders will put their 4-0 record on the line this Friday with a trip to Martinsville. The Bulldogs are 1-2 with a season opening win over Patrick County followed by losses to Magna Vista, 38-0, and Dan River last week, 28-22.
“They’re athletic and they run the ball well,” said Clifford. “It’s always tough to play down there. It will be a challenge.”
