Altavista beats Riverheads at its own game in Region B final

GREENVILLE — It’s been 19 years since Altavista last made a trip to the postseason. The Colonels aren’t ready for the ride to end just yet.

In a game full of turnovers, Altavista forced a late Riverheads fumble and held on for a 20-17 victory in the Division 1, Region B championship game Friday night, earning the Colonels a spot in next weekend’s Group A state playoffs.

Altavista’s dream season will continue at home next Saturday against the winner of today’s Region A championship game between West Point and Sussex Central.

“It feels so wonderful to be here,” said Altavista’s Johnny Wimbish, who rushed for 177 yards and scored two second-half touchdowns. “We put in so much hard work in the past couple years that people don’t see. It’s cool that they can see it now.”

The Colonels got on the board first after forcing the Gladiators into a three-and-out.

Four plays later, the Colonels (11-1) took the lead. Wimbish had two big runs on the drive, and Chris Clark ran 33 yards for a touchdown and a 7-0 advantage.

The Gladiators (10-2) marched down the field in traditional Riverheads fashion, scoring on 14 plays that covered 79 yards in more than eight minutes.

Demetrius Younger, who ran the ball eight times for 58 yards on the drive, capped the march with a 4-yard touchdown run.

Two big plays — a 24-yard Tavonne Payne run on a receiver sweep and a 30-yard Wimbish carry up the middle — put the Colonels in position to counter just before halftime, trailing 10-7. Wimbish connected with Payne on a pass to move the ball to the Riverheads 3.

The clock ran out after the play and the Gladiator players started to head to the locker room to the cheers of the Red Pride faithful, but the officials called them back.

“I told the side judge that I wanted a timeout after the play,” Altavista coach Mike Scharnus said. “There was half a second left when he hit the ground but the official didn’t signal the timeout.”

Altavista got the half second but didn’t score. Blake Todd pushed a 20-yard field-goal attempt wide left, and Riverheads took a lead into the break.

Altavista made use of a Riverheads fumble in the third quarter, gaining a short field to work with.

Seven plays after the turnover, Wimbish scored on a 2-yard run to give the Colonels a 14-10 lead they would not relinquish.

“Johnny (Wimbish) played really well.” Scharnus said. “He stepped right in and controlled the pace of this game.”

Wimbish would add another score on the first play of the fourth quarter, scrambling in from 31 yards out.

The Gladiators would fight back with a 16-yard keeper by Lance Diehl to make the score 20-17.

On the first play after the Riverheads kickoff, Wimbish coughed up the ball right into the hands of Hunter Puffenbarger, giving the Red Pride one more chance to win.

“We had to persevere through some adversity,” Wimbish said. “We just happened to end up on top when the game ended.”

The Gladiators had one more chance, but Younger fumbled on Riverheads’ final drive, and the turnover allowed Altavista to assume the victory formation.

“I’m just so proud of these guys,” Scharnus said, choking back tears. “They have worked so hard, them and the coaches, and it’s so wonderful to be here now. We didn’t just beat Riverheads the team, but we beat their system.”