The Racine Raiders historic 31-game winning streak finally came to an end this week in their 27-7 loss to the Detroit Ravens in Farmington Hills, Mich. This puts the Raiders at 4-1 on the season. Early on during the game it looked to be another defensive battle for the Raiders. The Ravens would pull away early and never look back, while the Raiders looked to fight their way back but would be stopped short almost every chance they got.
The Raiders offense started the game hot marching down the field but couldn’t find the endzone. From there on out the Raiders offense struggled to get things going, and when they would find a groove, they would fall short of the endzone. The Raiders put up 230 yards of offense and one touchdown right before the end of the first half.
The Raiders defense struggled on the night for what seemed to be the first time in a long time. Injuries have piled up for the Raiders dominant defense and it showed during their matchup with the Ravens having allowed just over 420 yards and four touchdowns. The otherwise dominant defensive line was shut out on the night not being able to record a sack.
The Raiders opened the game fast marching their way down the field but were stopped at the goal line. As a result, Mike Peralta would attempt a field goal but would end up pushing it too far and missing.
On the following drive by the Ravens, they would march down the field and find the endzone through the air. Quarterback Torrence Webster would find receiver Almount Smith open over the middle of the field when he took it 33 yards for a touchdown. Phillip Shaver would make the extra point making it 7-0 Ravens with just over three minutes remaining in the first quarter.
The next score of the game came from the Ravens again this time just before the end of the first half. Webster would once again find an open receiver this time Quez Hall down the field for a 15-yard touchdown. Shaver would make the extra point once again making it 14-0 Ravens with just 49 seconds remaining in the second quarter.
The first score of the game from the Raiders came when they marched down the field in 49 seconds to score right at the end of the half. Andre Locke Jr would find Dillion Flores at the goal line, and he would power his way into the endzone for an 8-yard passing touchdown. Peralta would come on and hit the extra point making it 14-7 Ravens as time expired in the second quarter.
To open the second half the Ravens once again came out hot finding the endzone on their opening drive. Webster was able to find an open Vincent Howard in the endzone for a 6-yard passing touchdown. Shaver would come in for the extra point but missed making it 20-7 Ravens with just over nine minutes remaining in the third quarter.
The final score of the game came early in the fourth quarter when the Ravens were able to find the end zone on a long touchdown. Webster would find Smith once again and he did the rest of the work taking it 46-yards for the receiving touchdown. Shaver would come on and hit the extra point making it 27-7 Ravens with just under 14 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
The Raiders passing game struggled again this week but have shown signs of improvement. Andre Locke Jr completed 15-of-26 attempts for 146 yards one touchdown and one interception. Sawyer Schick completed 2-of-9 attempts for 41 yards and no touchdowns.
The Raiders running game struggled on the night only totaling 43 yards. Leading the way was Rashawn Herron who totaled 27 yards on five attempts. Following him was Jason Kelly who added 10 yards on three carries. Others who tallied carries on the night were Howard Triplett who tallied four yards on two carries, Tavin Allen totaled seven yards on two carries, and Tom Benko had one carry for five yards.
The Raiders had 15 players receive a target on the night while only 12 recorded a catch. Leading the way was Jordan Payne who tallied two receptions for 35 yards. Leading the team in receptions was Bibby Davis who totaled three receptions for 29 yards. Right behind him was Will Norwood who added one reception for 27 yards and Lavantis Lewis who tallied two receptions for 26 yards. The only Raiders player to record a touchdown was Dillion Flores who tallied one reception eight yards and a touchdown.
The Raiders defense struggled on the night allowing over 400 yards and not recording a sack or a turnover. Leading the way for the Raiders defense was Gary Young Jr who totaled seven tackles (six unassisted). Leading the secondary was Jordan Danowski who tallied seven tackles on the night as well. Others who also had solid performances were Elvin Turner, Anton Graham, Marquez Holloway, and Aarion Ivy all added tackles each.
The Raiders will look to bounce back this week when face the Indy Bison on Saturday, June 7, at Historic Horlick Athletic Field. The game will have a 7:00 pm CT kickoff (gates open at 5:30) where the Hall of Fame inductees will be the honorary captains. At halftime, the Raiders will have a Hall of Fame installment with alumni and the Educators Credit Union Youth Bike Giveaway will take place between the third and fourth quarters
