Starting quarterback out? No problem for the Highlanders. Hunter Phlegar comes in and throws three touchdown passes.
Glenvar downed Covington, 28-6, last Friday night at Boodie Albert Field. Glenvar quarterback Landry Gerbers could not play due to a separated shoulder suffered in the opening game with Galax, but Phelgar stepped in and did an admirable job, throwing for 164 yards and three touchdowns.
“He threw some nice passes,” said Glenvar coach Kevin Clifford. “Hunter played well. I like him because he’s tough.”
Zach Clifford had another strong game at receiver for the Highlanders. After catching two touchdown passes against Galax he caught two more Friday in Covington for the first two scores of the game. Phelgar hit him with a three yard TD pass, then dialed up a 42 yard touchdown pass early in the second quarter. Covington cut the lead to 14-6 but Glenvar scored again before the half on a short run by Jack Leonard to take a 21-6 lead into intermission.
The second half belonged to the Glenvar defense. The Highlanders shut out the Cougars and Phlegar tossed one more TD pass for good measure, a 75 yard hookup with Logan Williams for his first high school TD.
Phlegar finished five for 12 for 164 yards in his first varsity start at quarterback. Three of the five completions when for scores and Justin Campbell and Noah Lovelace had one catch each.
Glenvar had 200 rushing yards on 34 carries, led by Leonard. Jack ran 22 times for 156 yards.
On defense, Dakota Francisco led Glenvar with 17 tackles, including a sack and a tackle for a loss. Hunter Stanley had 15 tackles, with two for losses, while Colby Street had 12 and Maxx Philpott had 11.
The Highlanders will put their 2-0 record on the line this week when they return home to play Group 3A Cave Spring. The Knights are 0-2 with a 34-7 loss to William Byrd and a 62-21 spanking from Staunton River last week, but Clifford won’t be taking them lightly.
“They lost to two teams who are still undefeated,” he said. “They like to sling it. They’ve averaged 30 to 35 passes the last two games. We’re going to have to play well up front and not give up the big plays.”