Jack Redlin, Racine Raiders
The Racine Raiders fell short to the Detroit Ravens, 42-16, in the Players Football Association championship game on Saturday night. The Raiders once again struggled to get things going on the night and the Ravens didn’t waste any time pulling away.
The Raiders offense struggled greatly in the first half, only putting up 52 total yards and no points. In the second half, the Raiders were able to get things going, but it was too little, too late. The Raiders ended with just over 300 total yards, with 256 through the air and 48 on the ground. In terms of scoring, the Raiders tallied one passing touchdown and one rushing touchdown, while also adding a field goal.
The Raiders defense held their ground for most of the night, but things fell apart in the fourth quarter when they allowed 28 points and allowed the Ravens to pull away. The Ravens put up just over 430 total yards with 367 through the air and 68 yards on the ground. The Raiders defense would allow five passing touchdowns and another score would come from a fumble return on a kickoff.
The first score of the game would come midway through the first quarter. After marching down the field in only four plays, Ravens quarterback Torrence Webster was able to find an open A.J. Smith for a 28-yard passing touchdown. Phillip Shaver would come on for the extra point and hit it, making it 7-0 Ravens with just under eight minutes left in the first quarter.
To start the second half, the Ravens would march down the field once again. This time, on a nine-play, 56-yard drive where Webster was able to find an open Dominick Hannah for a 10-yard passing touchdown. Shaver would nail the extra point, making it 14-0 Ravens with just under 12 minutes remaining in the second quarter.
With just under six minutes remaining in the third quarter, the Raiders were finally able to get on the board. After a long, eight-play, 73-yard drive, the Raiders and Brady Wodack would attempt a 32-yard field goal. Wodack would nail the field goal, making it 14-3 Ravens.
Just a few minutes later in the fourth quarter, the Ravens would hit big on a deep pass to put them further ahead. On a short four-play drive, Webster was able to find an open Hannah down the sideline, where he marched into the endzone for a 56-yard passing touchdown. Shaver would hit the extra point, making it 21-3 with just under 12 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
On the following kick return, the Ravens would take advantage of an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, which meant the Ravens kicked off from the 50-yard line rather than the 35-yard line. As a result, Corey Dalton hauled in the kick in his endzone and attempted to still make a return. On the return, Dalton would be crushed and fumble the football, resulting in a 12-yard fumble return for a touchdown by Damontae Maddox. Shaver would nail the extra point, making it 28-3 with just under 12 minutes remaining.
The Raiders would finally get on the board once again, this time through the endzone. On a quick one-minute five-play drive, the Raiders drove down the field and found the end zone. Sawyer Schick was able to find Jacquez Woodland on the sideline for an eight-yard passing touchdown. Wodack would nail the extra point, making it 28-10 with just over 10 minutes remaining.
The Ravens would answer quickly on their next drive after the Raiders attempted an onside kick. Just two plays later, Webster found a wide-open Jaalon Brown for a 36-yard passing touchdown. Shaver hit the extra point, making it 35-10 with just over nine minutes remaining in the game.
The Raiders would find a way to score again in just over three minutes, but the game was still too far out of reach. After marching down the field, Rashawn Herron pounded his way into the endzone for a one-yard rushing touchdown. Wodack would come in for the extra point, but it would be blocked, making it 35-16 with just under six minutes left.
The final score of the game would come from the Ravens when they once again responded to the Raiders score. After another onside kick attempt, the Ravens had great field possession. Taking advantage of the field possession, the Ravens would take a five-play drive down the field for a 16-yard passing touchdown from Webster to Vincent Howard. Shaver nailed the extra point and made the final score 42-16.
The Raiders passing game was able to find its groove in the second half, but it was too late for a comeback. Sawyer Schick completed 22-of-42 attempts for 256 yards, one touchdown, and a rating of 79.1.
The Raiders running game struggled immediately on the night and failed to get things done. In the first half, the Raiders totaled minus-one rushing yards. They were able to finish off the night with 48, but it was proven to be a large factor in their loss. Leading the way was Rashawn Herron with seven carries for 24 yards and one touchdown. Right behind him was Howard Triplett with six carries for 19 yards and Travis Hayes with two carries for 10 yards.
Raiders receivers had their best game of the season in terms of yards, but just couldn’t find the endzone. Leading the way was Jordan Payne with five receptions for 76 yards. Behind him were Bubba Rewolinski with two receptions for 54 yards, Rashawn Herron with three receptions for 35 yards, and Joe Garcia, adding 34 yards on five receptions. The only receiver to find the end zone was Woodland with three receptions for 27 yards and one touchdown.
The Raiders defense failed to force a turnover or record a sack on the night. The Ravens seemed to attack one side of the defense in terms of running the ball, and it worked in getting them enough time for the pass. Leading the way was linebacker Gary Young, Jr., who tallied ten tackles. Linebacker Aarion Ivy and defensive back Jordan Danowski were also able to add six tackles each. Others with tackles were Elvin Turner, Stephon Chapman, and Thomas Burton, who all tallied five tackles.
