Treyvon Herron hands the football to the official following his 65-yard touchdown run to end the first half of last Friday’s state football playoff game against Easton Valley in Gladbrook. The Rebels defeated the River Hawks 56-6 to advance to tonight's (Thursday, Nov. 6) state quarterfinal round. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

GLADBROOK – In a game eerily similar to their defeat last week of Ar-We-Va, the Gladbrook-Reinbeck football team routed the Easton Valley River Hawks at home, 56-6, in a second round playoff on Halloween night in Gladbrook, racking up a whopping 470 yards including 382 rushing yards. But the biggest treat (or trick?) of the night was certainly Rebel running back Treyvon Herron’s colossal forward fumble recovery and subsequent 65-yard touchdown with just seconds remaining on the first half clock.

“Our kids practice very hard and we try to simulate each and every possible play that could happen. That play is not something we can ever practice, it was luck; however, I think by going hard every play you have a better chance for luck to find you!” G-R head coach John Olson told the newspaper via email following the game. “[That play] happens sometimes, but never like that, never seen it before to that extent where it is top speed and a perfect bounce.”

The set-up to Herron’s drive was just as exciting as the buzzer-beater strike itself: With roughly 12 seconds remaining on the clock, Rebel starting quarterback Trevor Mathern intercepted an Easton Valley pass near their end zone to force a turnover and put possession back in G-R’s hands. Herron took the handoff on the very next play and began blazing his way down the field but fumbled forward. Without even skipping a beat, Herron continued running as the ball bounced several times before shooting back up toward his hands. He recovered it and kept going to run in the massive touchdown, putting the Rebels up 28-6.

Similar to their first round playoff on Oct. 24, G-R started out slowly Friday night against the River Hawks, scoring just a single rushing touchdown, courtesy of Herron, in the first quarter while also allowing Easton Valley their one and only touchdown during the period as well.

In the second quarter, the Rebels came alive, with Mathern carrying in two touchdowns himself before Herron’s incredible run.

Rebel senior wide receiver (3) Hudson Clark leaps through the River Hawk defense, avoiding multiple tackle attempts, on Friday, Oct. 31, in Gladbrook. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

The second half was an inverse repeat of the first with G-R scoring three more strikes in the third quarter and one more for good measure – a 24-yard rush by sophomore Chad Gutknecht – in the fourth quarter to seal the win over the River Hawks and move on to the 8-Player quarterfinals which took place this past Thursday. The Sun Courier will feature coverage from that game in next week’s edition.

Against Easton Valley, Mathern was 7-for-14 passing for 88 yards and two touchdowns – both to senior wide receiver Hudson Clark – and one interception.

Mathern also led the rushing game with nine carries for 195 yards and three touchdowns, including a 47-yard keeper. Herron was close behind with nine carries for 160 yards and two touchdowns. Gutknecht filled in the rest of the yardage. Utter went 8-for-8 PATs.

The Rebels racked up 37 total team tackles: Hudson Clark had nine (seven solo); Herron eight (six solo and two sacks); and junior Brayden Utter had seven (four solo). Senior Gavin Blakesley added two sacks and senior Kael Blohm one more.

Easton Valley passed for 97 total yards and a touchdown, while rushing for just 41 yards. The River Hawks ended the season 8-2.

Treyvon Herron (9) and Kael Blohm (4) bring down Easton Valley quarterback Keagan Lee (17). PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

The UNBEATEN Rebels (10-0) are scheduled to play tonight, Thursday, Nov. 6, in the state quarterfinals against the Edgewood-Colesburg Vikings (10-0), also on the unbeaten track this season. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at “The Pit” in Gladbrook.

Gladbrook-Reinbeck senior quarterback Trevor Mathern (13) follows the path cleared by teammate Garrett Gebel (35) as he blocks Easton Valley’s Blake Bowling (24). PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

G-R defenders Brayden Utter (17) and Kael Blohm (4) among others team up to bring down Easton Valley running back Aidan Feddersen (2) during last Friday’s state football play- off game in Gladbrook. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER