The Racine Raiders (5-2) struggles have continued this season, this time falling to the Phoenix Outlaws (11-0), 16-15, in overtime. In a game where there were 40 penalties given out, early on it looked to be another defensive battle for the Raiders. It was a back-and-forth night between the teams in what turned into a game where neither team could pull away and left fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.
The Raiders offensive struggles continued this week with both the passing and rushing game struggling to find a groove. The Raiders offense wasn’t able to find the endzone until overtime and it hurt them tremendously. The Raiders offense totaled 187 yards with 106 yards through the air and 81 yards on the ground while adding one touchdown. The Raiders offense also turned the ball over five time with three coming via interceptions and two from fumbles.
The Raiders defense shined on the night but weren’t able to close it out in overtime and seal the victory. The Raiders allowed 189 yards of offense and two passing touchdowns, but tallied six sacks and one forced fumble that was recovered for a touchdown.
The Raiders once again started the game on offense and their early struggles continued. On the first play from scrimmage Tom Benko fumbled on the Raiders 24-yard line and it was recovered by the Outlaws. The Raiders defense was able to hold them to a three-and-out which resulted in a 38-yard field goal by Ross Langer to make it 3-0 Outlaws with just over 12 minutes remaining in the first quarter.
The next score of the game came from the Raiders dominant defense. After a quick, four-play drive by the Raiders, they were forced to punt. Brady Wodack came on and pinned the Outlaws inside their own 15 at the 12-yard line. On the first play of the Outlaws drive, linebacker Aarion Ivy rushed the edge and pummeled Outlaws quarterback Tyree Taylor causing him to fumble. Linebacker Gary Young, Jr., was able to recover the fumble in the endzone for a Raiders touchdown. Wodack came on for the extra point and nailed it making it 7-3 with just over four minutes remaining in the second quarter.
To open the second half, the Outlaws received the kick and marched their way down the field mainly due to defensive penalties. As a result, the Outlaws possessed the ball at the Raiders’ 19-yard line and looked to score through the air. Outlaws Taylor was able to find DeAndre Dickerson for a spectacular grab in the corner of the endzone for a touchdown. On the extra point attempt, defensive lineman Cameron Hall was able to force his way through the line and block the extra point and Corey Dalton scooped it and returned it for two points. That would make it 9-9 with just under nine minutes remaining in the third quarter.
Following the Outlaws touchdown, the Raiders marched down the field in what looked like the drive that would close the game out. The Raiders drove all the way to the redzone where they were eventually stopped short. Wodack would come in for a 30-yard field goal and hit the right upright, missing, and keeping the score at 9-9 with just over a minute remaining in the third quarter.
The next score of the game came from the Raiders on the first play of overtime. In overtime teams posses the ball at the opponents 25-yard line and aren’t given a time limit to score. On the first play of overtime, Andre Locke, Jr., was able to find Jacquez Woodland open down the field in the endzone for a 25-yard touchdown. On the extra point attempt the Outlaws jumped offsides moving the ball from the three-yard line to the one-and-a-half-yard line. As a result the Raiders attempted to go for two and Locke rolled out right looking for a receiver, ended up deciding to run it in, but was stopped short of the goal line, making it 15-9 with the Outlaws still having an attempt to score.
On the Outlaws overtime possession, they would be held to a fourth-and-one from the Raiders 16-yard line and they would convert on a pass to the three-yard line. The Raiders defense held strong, holding the Outlaws to a fourth-and-goal from the three-yard line. On the fourth down, the Outlaws didn’t score but due to a pre-snap false start by the Outlaws, they were given another chance where Taylor was able to find Billy Suing in the right front corner of the endzone for the touchdown. Langer would come in and make the extra point, giving the Outlaws the 16-15 victory in overtime.
The Raiders passing game struggles continued this week after coming off a game where they were showing improvement. Locke completed 4-of-8 attempts for 98 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Sawyer Schick completed 1-of-9 attempts for 8 yards and two interceptions.
The Raiders rushing game struggled to get things going and it showed on the night. Leading the way was Rashawn Herron who tallied 64 yards on nine carries. Following him was Tom Benko who added 27 yards on 14 carries. Others receiving carries were Jason Kelly with 10 yards on 3 carries and Howard Triplett with 3 carries for 1 yard.
The Raiders only had five players record a reception on the night due to the struggles of the passing game. Leading the way once again was Tom Benko, who tallied a 49-yard reception on the night. Behind him was Woodland with one reception for 25 yards and a touchdown. Others with a reception were Bibby Davis with one reception for 18 yards, Travis Hayes with one reception for eight yards, and Dillion Flores with one reception for six yards.
The Raiders defense performed well in the loss allowing under 200 total yards and forcing two turnovers. Leading the way for the Raiders defense was Ivy who totaled 14 tackles, three sacks, and one forced fumble that was recovered for a touchdown. Following him was Young who added 10 tackles, one sack, and a fumble recovery for a touchdown. Leading the way for the defensive line was Hall who tallied six tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble. Leading the way for the secondary was Jordan Danowski who tallied seven tackles and multiple pass break ups.
The Raiders will look to bounce back this week when they face the River City Rough Riders on Saturday, June 21, at Historic Horlick Athletic Field. The Raiders faced the Rough Riders last season where they dominated 30-0. The game will have a 7:00 pm CT kickoff (gates open at 5:30).
