Riverheads trying to hand Gap first loss

No one would have predicted that Buffalo Gap would go flawless in 2007 with a 14-0 record and no one could have forecasted that the Bison would still be spotless this season in late October.

The defending Group A, Division I champions are riding on a 23-game winning streak. The Bison (8-0, 3-0 Shenandoah) have a tight grip on first place in the Shenandoah District, but their archrivals from Greenville are drawing near.

Riverheads was the last team to defeat the Bison, earning a win in Swoope in 2006 during its state championship run. The Gladiators (6-2, 3-0 Shenandoah) have been in the picture all season. They are currently undefeated in the Shenandoah and would not mind handing the black and gold its first loss. Despite the cold weather predicted for tonight’s rivalry, the district match at Gap should sizzle.

But Riverheads coach Robert Casto is not a fan of drama. He is no stranger to important contests during his 13-year reign with the Pride.

“It’s a big game for us,” Casto said. “It’s an excellent chance to set ourselves and position ourselves in a good place.”

Casto didn’t have to remind his team of that.

“They know it’s a big game. They’ve known and played with the Buffalo Gap kids since little league,” Casto said. “I don’t have to tell them that it’s important, it’s in the back of their heads.”

The Gladiators’ are aware of the Bison’s Pickle Nuckols and Michael Johnson. Plans will remain the same.

“We do what we do every week,” Casto said about the speedster. “We don’t do anything fundamentally different. We don’t make big changes. I don’t care who we play against, we do what we do.”

The Gladiators snuffed out Luray at home last week winning 21-7. Gap enters tonight’s showdown after blanking Stonewall Jackson 37-0 at home. The game begins at 7 p.m.

Bison coach Rob Maxwell did not return messages left by The News Virginian.