Spartans get big win over cross county rival Narrows 41-6 at home
Ragsdale Field, Pearisburg, VA – There’s nothing quite like a rivalry game. The stands are packed with fans who are louder than usual, the players are pumped up, and every play offers the opportunity to create life-long memories. After the Narrows Green Wave victory last year, the Giles Spartans, led by RB 12 Gage Fleeman were hungry for a victory. The Giles backfield, consisting of RB 4 Khalik Saunders, RB 80 Nathan Sheetz, and Fleeman, led the Spartan offense combining for 348 rushing yards and five touchdowns. 
Four of the five Spartan touchdowns were scored in the first half giving Giles a commanding 27-0 lead at halftime. The Green Wave came out the gate fired up after the break. Led by RB 10 Christopher Via who had a handful of solid carries, Narrows capped off the 3rd quarter with a clean 25-yard touchdown pass from QB/DB 7 Aiden McGlothlin to QB/LB Matt McGlothlin. The Spartans didn’t take their foot off gas, scoring an additional two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, one by Fleeman and the other by RB 2 Ethan Orey. The late push sealed the deal for Giles, with a final score of 41-6.
Spartan RB 12 Gage Fleeman breaks through for a big gain
First Quarter – After Narrows won the coin flip, they began the game with a gamble. The Green Wave opening kickoff was a squib kick which unfortunately bounced right into Spartan hands. Giles immediate recovery set up favorable field position on the Spartan 37-yard line. The Spartans were quick to execute their game plan – give the ball to number 12, and 4, and 80 too. After three Fleeman carries, Giles changed gears and moved the ball into the hands of Khalik Saunders. On his first touch, he found daylight, putting Giles on the board with a 45-yard touchdown. After a five-yard return by WR/DB 5 Reed Purdue, the
Giles RB 80 Nathan Sheetz hauls in a pass in a crowd of Green Wave defenders
Narrows Green Wave were ready to play, but they couldn’t seem to get it going. After an incomplete pass, and rush attempt stopped before it could begin, QB/DB threw the ball directly into Fleeman’s hands, leading to a 14-yard return. The Spartans began their second drive with even better filed position, starting only 40 yards from the end zone. Just like the first drive, Giles
Narrows DB 30 Mason McCroskey catches up to Giles RB 12 Gage Fleeman
would score in four plays, three of which being Fleeman carries.
This time, RB 80 Sheetz pitched in a 25-yard rush to set up Fleeman’s four-yard touchdown run. After K 7 Connor Price’s extra point, the Spartans were up 14-0. Narrows started their second drive with an incredible third down conversion on a 37-yard pass from Aiden McGlothlin to WR/DB 6 Kolier Pruett. However, Narrows excitement would be short lived. On the next play, the Green Wave fumbled, and a Spartan snuck in to recover the football. The third Spartan drive was the longest of the game, complete with clutch Narrows’ stops and Spartan rushes that were even more clutch.
QB Aiden McGlothlin finds WR/DB 6 Kolier Pruett in the open for Narrows
Second Quarter – On the 17th play of the drive, Saunders broke into the end zone for the Spartans third score of the evening, making the score 21-0. Narrows again, just couldn’t get their offense going. After a promising looking ten-yard pass from Aiden McGlothlin to WR/DB 14 Carson Crigger for a first down, the Green Wave went three and out. The Spartans kept up the head, scoring again for the fourth consecutive time. After a flurry of Fleeman and Saunders runs, Fleeman connected with Sheetz for a 31-yard reception, getting Giles inside the red zone. On the next play, Fleeman looked to pass again. The Senior eventually tucked it and took off, finding a hole to the end zone, scoring from five yards out. After a bobbled extra point attempt, the score remained 27-0 to end the half.
The Green Wave defense washes over a Giles ballcarrier
Third Quarter – The Green Wave came out like it was high tide after halftime. After stringing together a couple of productive carries from RB 10 Chris Via, the Green Wave would again turn the ball over to the stingy Spartan defense. This time, the Narrows defense had an answer. RB/LB 4 DJ Albert cruised in for a big tackle knocking the ball loose for his teammates to recover. But again, Narrows couldn’t generate any offense against the stout Spartans. After a few penalties and big stops from Spartan DL’s 53 Hunter Moser and 73 Guner Dunford, the Green Wave punted. The Narrows defense would step up again forcing another Spartan fumble, recovered by OL/DL 76 Brandon Blankenship on the Spartan 25-yard line. Narrows capitalized quickly with an arching 25-yard pass from Aiden McGlothlin to Matt McGlothlin.
After the field goal sailed wide left, Narrows was on the board 27-6. Coming off a scoring drive the Green Wave were feeling lucky and went for another squib kick.
Narrows RB 10 Chris Via picks up yards Friday night
The result was a Narrows recovery by QB/DB 12 Jarett Freeman. At this point, the tide started receding, after back-to-back sacks from Spartan LB 34 Jacob Edwards, the Green Wave went four and out. From there the Spartans never looked back.
Fleeman gets the corner to pick up yards
Fourth Quarter – Giles started the final quarter with a handful of Fleeman and Saunders runs culminating in a 19-yard Fleeman touchdown. It looked like no one even touched him. With the extra point, the Spartans stretched lead to 34-6. Penalties and the Spartans defense forced the Green Wave to punt again on their next drive. With the clock running down, Giles continued to push the pace. With about 40 seconds to go, HB 2 Ethan Orey punched in an emphatic 36-yard touchdown to seal the deal, Giles 41 Narrows 6. Giles fans of all ages celebrated as the Spartan students stormed the field to congratulate their team and enjoy the Giles victory.
Offense: Rushing– Giles – Fleeman 31/204, 2TDs, Saunders 14/74, 2TDs, Sheetz 6/70, TD, Orey 1/36, TD, Parsell 1/12 Narrows – Via 7/56, Purdue 4/27, Albert 2/9, M McCroskey 1/7 Passing– Giles– Fleeman 1/3, 31 Narrows – A. McGlothlin 6/__, 96, TD, INT, Receiving– Giles– Sheetz 1/31 Narrows– K Pruett 2/51, M McGlothlin 2/25, TD, Crigger 2/10 Punting– Giles– N/A Narrows– 4/28 yd avg Returns– Giles– Fleeman 14 Narrows– Pruett 36, M. McGlothlin 14
Scoring:
First Quarter –
Giles: Sheetz 45-yd TD run; Price PAT
Giles: Saunders 4-yd TD run; Price PAT
Second Quarter –
Giles Saunders 5-yd TD run; Price PAT
Giles: Fleeman 5-yd TD run; PAT no good
Third Quarter –
Narrows: M. McGlothlin 25-yd TD pass from A. McGlothlin: PAT no good
Fourth Quarter –
Giles: Fleeman19-yd TD run; Price PAT
Giles: Orey 36-yd TD run; Price PAT