by Jack Redlin, Racine Raiders
The Racine Raiders secured home field advantage throughout the Gridiron Development Football League (GDFL) playoffs with their win over the Southern Indiana Bobcats on Saturday. The Raiders faced a tense battle with the Bobcats where tempers flared but the Raiders left with a win 30-3. The Raiders extended their winning streak to 24 games, to put themselves in sole position of the third– longest winning streak in team history. Along with extending their winning streak the Raiders also extended their streak to 23 quarters without allowing a defensive touchdown.
The Raiders offense struggled to start the game but were able to pick it up in the second and third quarters. They totaled just over 350 offensive yards while tallying one rushing touchdown and three passing touchdowns in their win over the Bobcats.
The Raiders defense continued their dominant run allowing just over 200 yards and only conceding a field goal in the second quarter. The Raiders defense also added three sacks in their win over the Bobcats.
The Bobcats started the game with a drive that ate up half of the first quarter but the Raiders defense held them to no points when they snuffed out an apparent fake field goal pass. The first quarter ended with the teams tied at zero.
The Raiders first score of the game came after a quick three-and-out forced by the Raiders defense where the Bobcats had a short 31-yard punt which put the Raiders at the Bobcats 49-yard line. This led to a quick six play drive where Rashawn Herron ended it with a 17-yard rushing touchdown. After a bad snap on the extra point Sawyer Schick wasn’t able to find anyone open which made it 6-0 less than ten seconds into the second quarter.
The Raiders defense then forced another quick three play drive which led to the offense getting the ball at the Bobcats 48-yard line. This led to Andre Locke, Sr. and Jashon Foster taking the top off the defense and airing it out for a 48-yard passing touchdown. Brady Wodack came in and made the extra point making it 13-0 just under three minutes into the second quarter.
The Raiders offense and Locke struggled at the end of the first half and to open the second half having three straight drives result in interceptions, but the defense stepped up again forcing another quick drives by the Bobcats. Corey Dalton then appeared to returned a punt for a 90-yard touchdown, but the play was called back due to multiple flags for illegal participation and unsportsmanlike conduct. As part of the chaos, head coach Wilbert Kennedy was ejected from the game.
After the officials were able to clear everything up, the Raiders ended up with the ball at their own one-yard line. The Raiders fed Herron the football and he was able to gain 42 yards on three carries before Locke connected with Jordan Payne on a short route where he took it all the way to the endzone for a 57-yard passing touchdown. Wodack made the extra point making it 20-0 with just over three minutes remaining in the third quarter and the momentum swung back to the Raiders.
The Raiders final touchdown of the day came from a quick two play drive where Locke was able to find Bubba Rewolinski near the sideline where he powered his way into the endzone for a 15-yard passing touchdown. Once again Wodack made the extra point making it 27-0 to end the third quarter.
The Raiders final score of the game came from Wodack when he hit a 31-yard field goal after a long eight play drive by Schick and the offense. This made it 30-3 with just under three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
Locke completed 8-of-17 attempts for 199 yards while adding three passing touchdowns with three interceptions. Schick completed 2-of-6 attempts for 48 yards with a long of 35 yards.
Once again Payne led the way in receiving in his second game played this season with four receptions for 100 yards and one touchdown. Terrence Fitch was behind him adding 52 yards on two receptions. Foster tallied one reception for 48 yards and one touchdown while Rewolinski totaled two receptions for 28 yards and one touchdown.
Leading the way in rushing was Herron who totaled 82 yards on 11 attempts while also adding one rushing touchdown and Sean White totaled four attempts for 12 yards on the night
Leading the defense was lineman Ronald Haggins who totaled four tackles and two sacks on the night. Linebacker Gary Young, Jr. led the team in tackles with nine and Corey Dalton led the secondary with four tackles and multiple pass break ups.
The Raiders are looking to extend their winning streak to 25 games and tie the 1963-1966 Raiders for the second longest winning streak in team history next week when they open the GDFL playoffs at home. The Raiders will face the Knoxville Grizzlies at Historic Horlick Athletic Field on August 3rd with a 7 pm CT kickoff. Tickets are already available for the game through Hometown Ticketing.
