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Chargers face tough test at Riverheads
BY GEOFF COX • STAFF WRITER
 | | Bath's Jim King leaves his man on the ground and sprints for a crucial 66-yard touchdown . |
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This Friday the Bath County Chargers continue a their grueling pre-district schedule with a trip across the mountain to Greenville to face defending state champions, the Riverheads Gladiators.
"Their tough," said Bath coach Will Fields. "It's a grind trying to get through the non-district schedule."
Although Riverheads coach Robert Castro thinks the Bison of Buffalo Gap are the team to beat this year, his Gladiators are no slouches, bringing a 3-1 record with them to a game.
Playmakers returning for Riverheads are wideout Jeremy Heizer, quarterback Jacob Hutchinson, and running back Josh Cash.
Heizer, 6'4", uses his height to snatch the ball away from smaller corners. "He gave us some problems last year," said Fields.
Hutchinson has thrown for six touchdowns already this season. "He kinda does it all for them," Fields added.
Cash has been injured for much of the season but returned in last week's win over Clarke County. In his place this year, sophomore Corey Sanders has kept the Gladiator running game rolling with six touchdowns rushing.
 | | Bath defensive back Matt O'Conner goes horizontal to break up a pass. O'Conner made a fourth-quarter interception after a Charger fumble to give them the ball back. (Recorder photos by Geoff Cox) |
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The Chargers are coming off an exciting win over Pocahontas and are looking to go into district play at 3-3.
"Hope we can keep it going," said Fields. "They kind of grind it out on offense ... could wear us down if we don't capitalize on our opportunities with the ball."
Castro expects a hard-fought game. "It's always a brawl when we play each other ... always is every time we play them. We've got to play assignments and stop who has the ball."
Last week saw the Chargers give up 465 yards to Pocahontas but by pulling off big plays and buckling down on defense in crucial situations they earned the win.
Fields would rather keep the tempo down against the Gladiators. "We've got to keep it low scoring, need some turnovers to slow them down a little bit."
The Chargers finally showed what they were capable of against Pocahontas. If they play like that the rest of the season, they could win out - the Warriors were a quality team.
The Chargers lost two turnovers last week, much better than the five a game they were previously experiencing.
Although the Chargers are a little beat up physically, they look like they are gaining focus on both sides of the ball. The offense appears to be on track with the O-line opening big holes for the backfield and giving John Barden time to be accurate. If the Chargers win the turnover battle, they win the game.
RECORDER PREDICTION: Bath 21, Riverheads 20.
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