The Racine Raiders (7-2) have won back-to-back games for the first time since they started the season 4-0. The Raiders stunned the Beavers late in their 13-point comeback victory, where they scored all of their points in the final seven minutes of the fourth quarter. The Raiders would hold on in the final seconds to win 13-12 over the Alabama Beavers. Both offenses struggled early in the matchup, resulting in another defensive test for the Raiders.
The Raiders offense struggled to open the game once again. The run game showed signs early but failed to stay consistent throughout the game. The passing game struggled early as well, but when Sawyer Schick entered the game late, he was able to flip the script and march down the field to close out the game. The Raiders offense put up just over 230 yards of offense while scoring two passing touchdowns.
The Raiders’ defense struggled at times on the nights, but showed up when it mattered the most. The Raiders struggled against the Beavers pass game due to the elusiveness of Beavers quarterback Rashad Louie. The Raiders allowed 280 total yards and two passing touchdowns while adding nine sacks on the night.
The first half of the game was a defensive stalemate with neither side willing to give any ground. Towards the end of the third quarter, the first points of the game were scored by the Beavers. After an interception forced by the Beavers’ defense, they possessed the ball in the red zone. Just two plays later, Keith Wainwright was able to find Darren Clark for a jump ball in the corner of the end zone for a 15-yard passing touchdown. Malcolm Brooks would come in for the extra point, and it would be blocked by Cameron Hall. This would make it 6-0 Beavers with just over three minutes remaining in the third quarter.
The next score of the game came from the Beavers once again. This time, Jalin Ware was able to return a punt 58 yards to the Raiders 2-yard line. A few plays later, Wainwright would find Clark for another jump ball in the corner of the endzone, where Clark was barely able to keep his foot inbounds for the touchdown. The Beavers would go for two points but would end up being sacked, making it 12-0 with just over nine minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
On the following drive, the Raiders would march down the field. Starting at their 31-yard line, the Raiders had a quick six-play drive that lasted just over three minutes. After marching down the field, the Raiders possessed the ball at the 26-yard line when Schick was able to find an open Will Norwood for the touchdown. Mike Peralta would come on for the extra point and nail it, making it 12-7 with just over six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
On the Beavers ensuing drive, the Raiders forced a quick three-and-out in just over two minutes. As a result, the Raiders possessed the ball at their 12-yard line with just under four minutes remaining in the game. The Raiders would then march down the field to the Beavers six-yard line. Schick would find Bubba Rewolinski over the middle of the field for the lead-taking touchdown. The Raiders would go for two to attempt to gain a three-point lead, but were unable to complete the conversion on an incomplete pass to Rewolinski. That made it 13-12 Raiders with 36 seconds left.
The Raiders passing game was inconsistent early in the game, but they brought it together at the end. Andre Locke, Jr. completed 7-of-15 attempts for 47 yards and one interception. Schick completed 7-of-14 attempts for 106 yards and two touchdowns.
The Raiders running game struggled to find the big plays in the matchup, and that showed in the box score. Leading the way was Howard Triplett, who tallied 15 carries for 53 yards. Behind him was Locke with six carries for 12 yards. Others with carries were Tom Benko, three carries for 10 yards, and Schick, with two carries for four yards.
Raiders receivers have built on their performance from last week, putting up over 153 yards through the air. Leading the way was Rewolinski, who totaled three catches for 49 yards and one touchdown. Behind him was Norwood, who added one catch for 26 yards and a touchdown. Others with receptions were Terrence Fitch with four catches for 36 yards, Triplett with three catches for 24 yards, Dillion Flores with one reception for 15 yards, and Ian Gaines with one reception for four yards.
The Raiders defense held their ground on the night, stepping up when it mattered the most. Leading the way for the Raiders defense was Aarion Ivy, who tallied 10 tackles and two sacks. Right behind him was Gage Zahradnik, who totaled four tackles and three sacks. Others with stellar contributions were Carter Mayer, who tallied six tackles and two sacks, Gary Young, Jr. with eight tackles and one sack, Willie Clay with three tackles and one sack, and Jordan Danowski, who added six tackles.
The Raiders will look to continue their winning streak this week when they face the Fayetteville (NC) Commandos on Saturday, July 5, at Historic Horlick Athletic Field for the team’s annual Armed Forces Appreciation Night game. The game will have a 7:00 pm CT kickoff, where gates open at 5:30 pm. Gates will open at 4:30 pm for military veterans, reservists, and active duty personnel so they can enjoy a free tailgate courtesy of Operation BBQ Relief. Miss Wisconsin, Willow Newell, will perform the National Anthem, and a youth dance group will perform at halftime.
