The Racine Raiders (5-1) are back in the win column with a dominant 30-2 victory over the Indy Bison (5-1). Early in the game, it looked like the Raiders returned to their dominant performances from last season. The Raiders offense started strong and stayed with it the rest of the game while the defense returned to their dominance shutting out the Bison offense.
The Raiders started the game fast, marching down the field, but would ultimately fumble at the goal line. Following that drive, the Raiders never looked back as they pulled away. The Raiders put up just over 280 yards of offense while scoring three rushing touchdowns and one passing touchdown.
Following an unusually poor performance by the Raiders defense, they returned to form on the night dominating the Bison in all aspects of the game. The Raiders allowed just over 200 yards and added three interceptions, one forced fumble, and three sacks.
The first score of the game came midway through the first quarter when the Raiders forced a quick drive by the Bison resulting in the Raiders possessing the ball at the Bison 39-yard line. Taking advantage of the field position the Raiders scored on a quick five-play drive that was finished off by Howard Triplett when he forced his way into the end zone for a five-yard rushing touchdown. Brady Wodack would come on for the extra point and hit it making it 7-0 with just over seven minutes remaining in the first quarter.
The next score of the game would come only a few minutes later when the Raiders would once again have great field position at the Bison 34-yard line. This time the Raiders would go through the air and Andre Locke, Jr., found Jacquez Woodland open over the middle of the field for a 14-yard touchdown. Wodack would hit the extra point making it 14-0 with just under three minutes remaining in the first quarter.
The Raiders’ next score of the game came after they forced a turnover by the Bison which resulted in the Raiders possessing the ball at the 19-yard line. The Raiders would make quick work of the field position when Tom Benko forced his way into the endzone from nine yards out. Wodack would once again hit the extra point making it 21-0 with just over six minutes remaining in the third quarter.
The following Raiders score came early in the fourth quarter when Shawyer Schick looked to pass but wasn’t able to find anyone open. As a result, Schick scrambled up the middle of the field and trucked his way into the endzone for an 11-yard rushing touchdown. Wodack would come on and hit the upright on the extra point resulting in a miss making it 27-0 with just over 13 minutes left in the fourth quarter.
The Raiders’ final score of the game would come from Wodack after the Raiders’ offense failed to score. Wodack would come in for a 39-yard field goal attempt and he would nail it through the uprights making it 30-0 with just under 11 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
The final score of the game would come with just over six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. The Raiders possessed the ball inside their 15-yard line and had a bad snap that went over quarterback Antoine McKinney’s head resulting in a safety making it 30-2.
The Raiders passing game had their best performance of the season this week. Locke completed 11-of-17 attempts for 93 yards and one touchdown. Schick completed 4-of-7 passes for 87 yards and added an 11-yard rushing touchdown.
Raiders rushing game improved this week with Tom Benko leading the way totaling seven carries for 66 yards and a touchdown. Howard Triplett was behind him adding four carries for 14 yards and a touchdown. Jason Kelly tallied three carries for 14 yards. Rashawn Herron added three carries for 10 yards on the night as well.
The Raiders once again spread the ball around in the pass game with ten players recording a catch on the night. Leading the way was Jashon Foster who tallied three receptions for 73 yards. Right behind him was Dillion Flores who added three receptions for 31 yards. The only receiver to record a touchdown was Woodland who had one reception for 14 yards and the touchdown. Others who tallied catches were Ian Gaines with one reception for 19 yards, Rico Flores with one reception for 22 yards, and Jordan Payne with one reception for 8 yards.
The Raiders defense returned to form on the night allowing just over 200 yards while adding three sacks, three interceptions, and one forced fumble/recovery. Leading the way for the Raiders defensive line was Cameron Hall who tallied four tackles, one sack, and one fumble recovery. Leading the way for the linebackers was Gary Young, Jr., and Elvin Turner. Young tallied nine tackles while Turner added five tackles and one sack. Leading the way for the secondary was Channing Schultz who totaled two tackles, one interception, and multiple pass breakups. The other Raiders defenders to record an interception were Thomas Burton and Wyatt Savarino.
The Raiders will look to continue their dominance this week when they face the number one team in the West, the Phoenix Outlaws, on Saturday, June 14, at Historic Horlick Athletic Field. The game will have a 7:00 pm CT kickoff where gates open at 5:30 pm.
