The Racine Raiders (6-2) are back in the win column with a dominant 37-7 victory over the River City Roughriders. After an offensive mishap early in the first quarter that led to a Roughriders score, the Raiders never looked back scoring 37 unanswered points. The Raiders offense showed signs of improvement this week, greatly improving the passing game, which has desperately needed this season. The Raiders defense returned to dominance last night, shutting out the Roughriders offense.
The Raiders once again started the game with an offensive turnover, but after that, they never looked back as they pulled farther and farther ahead. The Raiders offense put up just over 160 yards of offense while scoring one rushing and two passing touchdowns.
The Raiders defense continued their dominance, shutting out the Roughriders across the board. The Raiders defense allowed only seven total yards while adding seven sacks and four fumble recoveries with two were recovered for touchdowns.
The first score of the night came early in the first quarter. The Raiders had possession in their territory when a bad snap went over the head of quarterback Andre Locke, Jr. The fumbled snap was recovered by Todd Bland of the Roughriders and returned for a 30-yard touchdown. Kicker Jared Konsella came on for the extra point and hit it, making it 7-0 with just over 10 minutes remaining in the first quarter.
The next score of the game came from the Raiders. The Roughriders possessed the ball inside their 10-yard line and looked to go deep when the Raiders defensive line put the pressure on and forced the strip sack. Ronald Haggins was able to fall on the fumble in the endzone for a fumble recovery touchdown. Mike Peralta came on for the extra point and nailed it, making it 7-7 with just under six minutes remaining in the first quarter.
The Raiders would score once again right before the end of the first quarter. After a huge 54-yard punt return by Jacquez Woodland, the Raiders had the ball at the Roughriders 34-yard line. Two plays later, Locke was able to find Bubba Rewolinski open in the corner of the endzone. Rewolinski was able to reach up while falling backward for the stellar one-handed 19-yard touchdown catch. Peralta would nail the extra point making it 14-7 with just under 30 seconds left in the first quarter.
The Raiders next score of the game would come from the Raiders defense once again. This time the Roughriders had the ball inside their 25-yard line and were in a fourth-and-long where they were forced to punt. On the punt attempt the ball would sail over the punter’s head and be recovered by Aarion Ivy for a fumble recovery touchdown. Peralta hit the extra point, making it 21-7 with just over seven minutes remaining in the second quarter.
Early in the second half, the Raiders defense would once again add points on the board this time coming from a safety. The Roughriders possessed the ball at their seven-yard line and were once again in a fourth in long scenario. On the punt attempt the ball went over the head of the punter and out of the back of the endzone resulting in a safety. This made it 23-7 with just over 13 minutes remaining in the third quarter.
The next score of the game came from the Raiders offense when they forced their way into the endzone. The Raiders had the ball at the Roughriders two-yard line when Tavin Allen forced his way into the endzone making it 30-7 with just under seven minutes remaining in the third quarter.
The Raiders would add another score on the board right before the end of the third quarter for the final score of the game. After another bad snap fumble by the Roughriders, the Raiders had possession at the Roughriders five-yard line. Quarterback Sawyer Schick was able to find an open Ian Gaines in the endzone for a five-yard touchdown. Peralta would nail the extra point once again making it 37-7 with just over one minute remaining in the third quarter.
The Raiders passing game greatly improved this week with their best performance of the season so far. Locke completed 10-of-17 attempts for 152 yards with one touchdown. Schick completed 2-of-3 attempts for nine yards and one touchdown.
The Raiders running game struggled to get things going this week. Leading the way was Howard Triplett with five carries for 13 yards. Behind him was Locke with four carries for seven yards. Allen added two carries for zero yards and one touchdown while Tom Benko added two carries for eight yards.
Raiders receivers had their best week this past week. Leading the way was Rewolinski with two catches for 34 yards and one touchdown. Behind him was Gaines who added four catches for 30 yards and one touchdown. Others with receptions were Jashon Foster with one reception for 45 yards, Benko had two receptions for 24 yards, Rashawn Herron with one reception for 18 yards, and Rico Flores with one reception for 10 yards.
The Raiders defense returned to form absolutely dominating the Roughriders offense allowing only seven total yards while adding seven sacks, four fumble recoveries, and two touchdowns. Leading the way for the Raiders defensive line was Haggins who tallied two sacks, one fumble recovery, and one touchdown. Leading the way for the linebackers was a familiar name in Ivy who once again shredded the offense. Ivy totaled four tackles, one sack, one forced fumble/recovery, and a touchdown. Leading the way for the secondary was Corey Dalton who added two tackles and multiple pass breakups on the night.
The Raiders will look to continue their dominance this week when they face the Alabama Beavers on Saturday, June 28, at Historic Horlick Athletic Field. The game will have a 7:00 pm CT kickoff where gates open at 5:30 pm. Mad Plaid Brass, presented by the Racine Kilties, will perform the National Anthem and perform at halftime.
