Highlanders come up one win shy of perfect season

Dreams of an undefeated state football championship came up one win short for Glenvar last Saturday. The Highlanders dropped a 49-27 decision to Strasburg before a big crowd at Salem Stadium.

It was a tough day for a Glenvar defense that had six shutouts this season and six other games where the Highlanders allowed just one score. The Rams hammered the Glenvar defense for over 350 yards rushing with three different players gaining over 100 yards on the ground.

“We ran into a good, well-coached football team,” said Glenvar coach Kevin Clifford. “Our kids played hard, but sometimes you just have to give the other team credit. I knew it would be tough. They have 20 seniors and were in the state championship game a year ago. They had the best line we’ve played in half a dozen years, but we were still in the game in the fourth quarter.”

The Highlanders jumped to an early 12-0 lead and the home side was roaring. Strasburg won the coin toss and deferred, putting the Glenvar offense on the field. On the first series GHS quarterback Brody Dawyot threw a rare interception, which was one of three turnovers on the day by the Highlanders.

Glenvar got the ball back when Cooper Mullins forced a fumble and Nick Wilson recovered. The Highlanders then marched to the end zone and scored on a two yard run up the middle by Dawyot. The extra point was blocked but Glenvar led 6-0 with 3:37 remaining in the first period.

Strasburg fumbled again on the ensuing possession as several Highlanders jarred the ball loose and Tre Dawyot pounced on it. That led to a 23 yard TD pass from Brody Dawyot to Mullins with 28 seconds remaining in the first quarter. Glenvar went for two and failed but led 12-0 after the first quarter.

The Rams answered back with three touchdowns in their next three possessions, ramming the ball down the throats of the defense for a 21-12 lead. Dawyot’s second pick, with Glenvar trailing 14-12, was returned to the 15 and set up the third score, a two yard run by Linkyn Bosworth at the 2:52 mark.

Glenvar fired back, cutting the lead to 21-19 on the Highlanders last possession of the half. Dawyot ran one in from four yards out with 29 seconds remaining in the first half, and that’s how it stood at intermission.

The Rams got the ball first to start the second half and returned the kickoff 54 yards to set themselves up in Glenvar territory. Brady Knight capped off the drive with his second touchdown, a five yard run that made it 28-19. Strasburg then increased the lead to 35-19 with 4:30 left in the third quarter and the Highlanders were reeling.

On the next series the Highlanders were faced with a fourth and one in their own territory. With time running thin Clifford decided to go for it and Ranger Swanson picked up the first down to keep the drive alive. However, disaster struck when Dawyot completed a pass to Haden Henderson in the flat. Henderson was drilled as he turned to run, the ball popped free and Strasburg’s Quincy Williams picked it up and motored 58 yards in front of the Glenvar bench for a killer score. The Rams now led 42-19 with 2:38 remaining in the quarter.

Glenvar could have packed it in at this point, but the Highlanders came charging back. Dawyot led a drive that resulted in an eight yard TD pass from Brody to Tre Dawyot and it was back to a two score game as the third quarter expired.

That was as close as Glenvar would get. Facing a fourth and 14 on the GHS 42 and eight minutes remaining, Brody launched a bomb that was just out of Tre’s reach on the Strasburg five yard line and the ball went back to the Rams on downs. Quarterback Brayden Hough punched one in from two yards out with 3:15 on the clock and that sealed the deal.

“We turned the ball over three times and we weren’t good on special teams, and it’s tough to beat a good team when you do that,” said Clifford. “But it was not from lack of effort.”

Statistically, Brody Dawyot was 28 for 43 passing for 253 yards and two touchdowns. He ran 14 times for 90 yards and two scores and finished his career as the all-time leader in VHSL touchdown passes, of any classification, and second all-time in total combined passing and rushing scores.

Tre Dawyot had 13 receptions for 133 yards and a score in his last game playing with his brother. He had to come up big after Jace Forster was injured in the semi-final win over Union and Mullins was playing on an injured ankle in the championship game, limiting Brody’s targets. Mullins did a remarkable job with seven catches for 62 yards before limping off the field in the fourth quarter. Cale Vaughan had five catches for 37 yards and Remington Gordon had two for 16. Swanson rushed eight times for 34 yards.

On defense Vaughan led the team with 14 tackles. Brody Dawyot, Dalton Shoemaker and Wilson had 13 each and Tre Dawyot had seven tackles.

The loss marked the end of the high school football careers for 11 Glenvar seniors. In their four years of high school the team was 45-10, the second best four year record in Glenvar football history. They won two Three Rivers District titles and two Region 2C titles.

“They’re good kids, really competitive,” said Clifford. “What’s more they cared about each other. It’s been a really good group.”

While there was lots of sadness among the Green and Gold as the awards ceremony took place, the Highlanders held their heads high. They came a long way since August, when they were somewhat longshots to win the district, much less go 14-1 and play in the state championship game.

“We went into the Byrd scrimmage with five healthy linemen,” said Clifford. “I didn’t know how we were going to survive the season.”

Clifford made some personnel changes, took advantage of the teams’ strengths, and the Highlanders not only survived, but prospered. The season came to a disappointing end but, when the players look back years from now, they’ll be proud of what they accomplished.

“It’s not the end all, be all, but I wanted it for them,” said Clifford. “I’ve been doing this my whole life and I’ll be back next season, but for the seniors it’s such an abrupt end. You prepare, you play, and when the last game is over there’s no more.

“Our kids gave it all they had but, at the end of the day, Strasburg was the better team.”