The Racine Raiders looked like they were sleepwalking in their opening drive against the Indiana Generals. After the opening drive went nowhere, the Generals blocked a Joel DaPra punt and returned it two yards for a touchdown to take an early 7-0 lead. The Raiders then rattled off 40 unanswered points, including five touchdown passes from Craig McClelland and a defensive score, to take a commanding 40-7 lead into the half.

The Raiders rested many of their starters much of the second half and the Generals would fight their way back, outscoring the Raiders 20-3 in the second half, but ultimately falling 43-27 Saturday night at Historic Horlick Athletic Field in Racine, Wis.

McClelland completed scoring strikes of 15 and 3 yards to Dorian Palmer, 30 yards to Terrence Fitch, 21 yards to Traves Worthington and 20 yards to Sam D'Alie.

Da'Meon McGee also sacked Generals quarterback Eric Golliday, knocking the ball out and defensive lineman Cornelius Evans, Sr., jumped on the ball in the endzone.

McClelland looked stellar in the game, completing 16 of 23 passes for 244 yards, five touchdowns and one interception in just one half. Seven different receivers caught a pass. McClelland has now thrown for 28 touchdowns with just just seven interceptions and has rushed for two more touchdowns on the season.

The Raiders improved to 8-1 overall and 7-0 in the Mid-States Football League (MSFL) this season. The Generals fell to 3-4 and face a must win game at the Springfield Foxes on September 8.

The Raiders face a must win game as well. The team will have a bye week next week before heading to the Zoo to play the Chicago Mustangs. The winner of that contest could claim home field advantage throughout the MSFL playoffs.

PHOTO CREDITS: Holly Barrett