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It was a big win for the Highlanders, as payback is always sweet. Glenvar lost just two regular season games last year, and the Highlanders have now avenged them both with a win over Galax to open the season and last week’s defeat of Cave Spring.
“We wanted to keep the ball out of their hands and we were able to do that,” said Glenvar coach Kevin Clifford. “We ran the ball extremely well. Our offensive and defensive lines both played well.”
The Highlanders scored first on an eight yard run by backup quarterback Hunter Phlegar, who got his second start in a row with Landry Gerbers nursing a sore shoulder. Tailback Jack Leonard scored on runs of 15 and two yards in the second quarter and the Highlanders were up 20-0 at the half.
Glenvar increased the lead to 23-0 on a 25 yard field goal by Kaid Fuhrman to open the scoring in the third quarter. The Knights were able to strike paydirt twice after that, but both times Glenvar answered, once on a 12 yard run by Leonard and another on a 31 yard TD pass from Phlegar to Josh Clifford.
“We gave up two garbage touchdowns,” said coach Clifford. “It was meaningless at that point. Overall I thought we played solid everywhere.”
Leonard had a huge night for Glenvar running behind the big offensive line. He rushed for 257 yards and three touchdowns. Bradey Loder had six rushes for 44 yards and Phlegar had four for 16 as the Highlanders rushed for over 300 yards as a team.
Phlegar also completed three of six passes for 44 yards, hitting Clifford twice for 42 yards and Dakota Francisco once for two. Glenvar doesn’t throw the ball as much when Phlegar is behind center, but when they run the ball that well they don’t have to. Gerbers is expected back this week to face Grayson County.
“I have confidence in Hunter, but he’s important to our defense and he can play other positions on offense,” said Clifford. “And Landry is such a good passer. We’re a better team when they’re both in the game.”
Shaffer(#76), Domenick Larosa(#70), Brayden Simmons(#58), Mitch Winters(#77) and Maxx Philpott(#55). PHOTOS BY JOHN WACHER
On defense Maxx Philpott wreaked havoc with three tackles for losses and two sacks among his team high 11 tackles. Hunter Stanley had 10 tackles, also with three for losses and two sacks. Colby Street had a sack and a tackle for a loss among his eight tackles, Noah Lovelace had two sacks among his seven tackles and Clifford had four tackles and two more interceptions, giving him four picks in just three games. Loder also had an interception and six tackles.
This week the Highlanders are on the road at Grayson County. The Blue Devils are 2-1 with wins over Carroll County and Rural Retreat and a loss to an undefeated team in North Carolina.
“This is a big game for us,” said Clifford. “They run the veer and they do some good things.”
Glenvar’s jayvee team scored with nine seconds left to beat Cave Spring, 27-24, and the middle school beat Central Academy, 13-6. Both teams play at Giles tonight.
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