By Wil Crews
sportscrews@opelikaobserver.com
The Glenwood Gators won Friday’s non-conference game against the Monroe Academy Volunteers by a score of 49-0 thanks to big plays and senior running Kyle Robichaux, who finished with 11 carries for 135 yards and four touchdowns.
The most impressive stat from the night: The Gators outgained the Volunteers by 227 yards (332 to 105) while running 10 fewer plays and having the ball for 11 minutes and 21 seconds less than Monroe Academy. The Gators also committed no turnovers and forced two turnovers from the Volunteers. The win moves Glenwood to 6-0 and keeps them on top of the Region 1 standings.
The Gators offense had a rare slow start to the game, punting to Monroe Academy after a short opening drive. However, it didn’t take long to get the unit going. On Glenwood’s second drive of the game, Robichaux would get his first touchdown of the night with a 10-yard TD run. After forcing the third successive punt from the Volunteers, Robichaux exploded for a 60-yard rushing TD, giving Glenwood an early 14-0 lead as the first quarter came to a close. Now, it was time for the defense to make an impact on the stat sheet. Jay Sinclair has been electric for the Gators all season; just last week he had a punt return for a touchdown. This week, he practically ended all hopes Monroe Academy had for a close a game with a 40-yard pick six (as it was called on the field) but it was overturned and marked at the one-yard-line. Robichaux’s stat line was the beneficiary of the overturned call as he scored a one-yard TD on the ground. The Gators led 21-0 halfway through the second quarter. The next three series went turnover on downs for Monroe Academy, punt by Glenwood and fumble recovery by Glenwood. With just about a minute to go in the half, Gator quarterback Jackson Griner connected with receiver A.J Harris on a deep pass that moved the ball from just past half-field to the nine-yard line. The Gators were rolling and threatening once again. That’s when Griner his junior wide receiver Radonda Beauchamp Jr. for a 4-yard TD pass. Halftime: Glenwood 28, Monroe Academy 0.
The second half continued in the season-long dominant fashion with which the Gators have played. Robichaux and Griner broke out for long runs and Robichaux finished Glenwood’s first drive of the second half with a 7-yard rushing TD. A.J Harris returned a punt for a touchdown for the fourth week in a row. 42-0 Gators. The backups then came into the game and the scoring stalled. However, freshman quarterback Dallas Crow got his second score in as many games with a 15-yard rushing TD with two minutes left in play. The win is a clear warning sign for other teams in the region and means Glenwood’s record when scoring 40 or more points is 64-4.
Next Friday, Oct. 9, Glenwood have a home conference game against Hooper Academy (4-2). The game is scheduled for 7 p.m. CST at The Swamp.