BURLINGTON, WI — If you looked strictly at the time of possession, you might think the Burlington Blue Devils controlled the pace of Saturday’s matchup at Tony Romo Field. Burlington held the ball for a staggering 38:22, leaving the Racine Raiders with only 21:38 of clock time. However, the Raiders proved that it’s not about how long you have the ball, but what you do with it.
In a clinical 54-0 shutout, Racine used every phase of the game—offense, defense, and a particularly lethal special teams unit, to dismantle the Blue Devils.
Special Teams Masterclass
The game was essentially decided before many fans had even settled into their seats. Corey Dalton set the tone immediately, returning the opening kickoff 83 yards for a touchdown.
The Raiders’ special teams unit wasn’t finished there. Trevion Carothers put on a returning clinic, finding the end zone twice on punt returns of 60 yards and 63 yards. Combined with kicker Brady Wodack’s perfect day on field goals (2-for-2, including a long of 40 yards), Racine’s “third phase” accounted for a significant portion of the team’s scoring.
Defensive Dominance
While the special teams provided the spark, the Raiders’ defense provided the wall. Racine limited Burlington to just 121 total yards of offense. The defensive front was relentless, recording 3 sacks and forcing four turnovers (two fumbles and two interceptions).
The defensive highlight came late in the third quarter when Elijah Meister intercepted a pass and returned it 37 yards for a touchdown, pushing the lead to 47-0 after the extra point.
Offensive Efficiency
Offensively, the Raiders were the definition of efficient. Though they only recorded 210 total yards, they capitalized on short fields and mistakes.
Rushing: Rashawn Herron led the ground attack with 63 yards on 8 carries, including a 1-yard touchdown plunge. Tom Benko added 47 yards and another rushing score.
Passing: Quarterback Sawyer Schick managed the game with 89 passing yards, while Gavin Gutman made his lone pass count—a 9-yard touchdown strike to Lavantis Lewis.
Game Snapshot
| Statistic | Racine | Burlington |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 54 | 0 |
| First Downs | 12 | 8 |
| Total Yards | 210 | 121 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 4 |
| Time of Poss. | 21:38 | 38:22 |
The Verdict
Burlington’s Trevor York was a bright spot for the Blue Devils, grinding out 60 yards on 14 carries and providing 107 yards in kickoff returns, but the Blue Devils’ offense stalled repeatedly in Racine territory. Between the three return touchdowns and a stifling defense, the Raiders didn’t need much yardage to make a massive statement.
Racine moves forward with a dominant victory that highlights their depth and ability to score from anywhere on the field. Burlington, meanwhile, will need to find a way to turn ball control into points as they look to bounce back from this lopsided affair.
Next Week
The Raiders have their 2026 home opener when they welcome the Midwest (IN) Vengeance to Historic Horlick Athletic Field for a 6 pm CT kickoff. Tickets are available online, at six area ticket outlets, and at the gate beginning at 5 pm on Saturday. Veterans, military personnel, and first responders receive free admission to all Racine Raiders home games courtesy of Tabak Law.
