The Glenvar High football team won’t be in the dog house this Friday when they play Martinsville High School in a rematch of their September 3rd football game. Glenvar took a 25-7 win in that game, played at the home of the Bulldogs.
This time the game is for a spot in the Region 2C championship game the day after Thanksgiving. Top seeded Glenvar won their opening round region game over eighth seed Patrick County last week, 56-14, while fifth seeded Martinsville held on to beat fourth seeded James River, 16-13, in Buchanan.
Freshman Eli Taylor led the Highlanders to the previous win over Martinsville after all-state quarterback Aiden Wolk tweaked his knee in practice during the week. Taylor completed 20 passes for 188 yards and three touchdowns in that game. While Martinsville had been struggling in recent seasons, having lost 19 straight coming in and missing the 2020 season entirely, Clifford didn’t look at it as a “walk over” game.
“They looked as good as anyone we’ve played since I’ve been here,” he said. “They have some good looking athletes and some good size. It wasn’t an easy game by any means.”
Since then the Bulldogs have won five of nine games while competing in the tough Piedmont District, playing a schedule that included Class 4 GW-Danville and Halifax County and Class 3 Bassett and Magna Vista. The Bulldogs are battle tested.
“At this point, everyone is 0-0,” said Clifford. “It doesn’t matter what happened the first time we played. They’ve gotten better and, hopefully, we’ve gotten better.”
The Highlanders have been hitting on all cylinders down the stretch. Last week’s win marked the fourth time in the past six games Glenvar has scored over 50 points. The Highlanders roughed up Patrick County last Friday, scoring 42 first half points before calling off the dogs. Clifford took the first team off the field after one series of the second half with the clock running continuously.
“We really executed well,” said Clifford. “Our starters on defense shut them out and on offense our first team didn’t have to punt.”
Kyle Hanks rushed for three touchdowns in the first half and gained 187 yards on 17 carries. Jake Stanley had four carries for 25 yards and the last TD of the night.
Wolk was 11 for 13 passing for 181 yards and three touchdowns. Dagan Williams had touchdown receptions of 27 and five yards and 68 yards receiving. Gabe Ford had three catches for 69 yards and a 37 yard TD catch.
On defense Mason Anderson continued to lead the team with 12 tackles and he also had his seventh interception of the season. Dagan Williams leads the team with eight and NickWoodson had five.
Nick Williams had 10 tackles while Shane Gibson had nine, and both had fumble recoveries. Nate Johnson had six tackles.
“We’re very balanced defensively,” said Clifford, who prides himself on having a strong defense. “We have a lot of contributors.”
This week’s game will begin at 7 pm Friday night at Highlander Stadium and if Glenvar can pull out a win the Highlanders will be home again for the regional final. The other semifinal has 8-3 Radford at 9-1 Appomattox, two teams Glenvar is quite familiar with.
“I don’t care who we play at this point,” said Clifford. “I’m just grateful to be playing.”
