1st Quarter
With the playoffs one week away the Raiders looked to be in to their stiffest test yet hosting the 7-0 Mustangs. The Mustangs opened the game returning the opening kickoff 63yds to the Raiders 7yd line. After a couple short gains the Mustangs found the end zone and it was quickly 6-0 Mustangs. The Raiders scrimmaged 1st and 10 from their own 45yd line and looked to answer. After a first down run by Logan the offence sputtered and turned it over on downs. After both teams went 3 and out on their next drives the Mustangs got some luck recovering their own fumble on 1st down. On 2nd down the Mustangs #13 took it 55yds for the touchdown building the Mustang lead to 12-0. The Raiders continued to struggle on offensive registering only 2 first downs in the first quarter.
2nd Quarter
The second quarter started just like the first with the Mustangs marching down the field with their star player #13 ripping off another big run for a touchdown and the Raiders looked like they were in for a long afternoon on their home field trailing 18-0 early in the second quarter. On the ensuing kickoff Payton sparked the home side with a great 30yd kick return setting the Raiders up 1st and 10 from the 30yd line. 3 plays later Payton hooked up with Bryson for 25yds and the Raiders were 1st and goal. Payton took the next play to the house and after a successful kick for 2 by Logan the Raiders were back in it. Logan pounded the kickoff deep all the way down to the Mustangs 30yd line. The defence stiffened with Sawyer’s tackle for a loss of 4 and Teddy making a tackle for no gain on 3rd down. This great defensive stand set up the Raiders nicely at the Mustangs 25yd line. After a gain of 8 by Bryson, Payton took it down to the 5 with Logan finishing things off with a 5 yard scamper to the end zone. Wow the Raiders looked like a completely different team here in the second quarter. Unfortunately after a couple timeouts by the Mustangs to stop the clock # 13 ripped off another long run with 1.4 seconds left till halftime to give them a 10 point lead at the half.
3rd quarter
Raiders offensive came out sluggish in the second half with a quick 3 and out. On the very next play Anthony forced #13 to fumble and Sawyer was quick to pounce on the loose football. The offence moved the ball down the field with Aidan A first down run and Logan doing the same with one of his own. Payton then found his favorite target on the afternoon Bryson for 17 more. Unfortunately the drive stopped at the Mustang 20 where the Mustangs took over. On 2nd down #13 took it to the end zone escaping a few tackles which he seemed to do all afternoon to put the Mustangs up comfortably at 30-14. Our Raiders weren’t giving up quite yet as on the kickoff return Anthony juked and jived his way to the Mustang 35yd line. Unfortunately after a roughing the passer call the Raiders drive stalled at the Mustang 32yd line. This seemed to be the story of the second half just not coming up with the big plays we were accustomed to seeing by our Raider offence.
4th Quarter
Mustangs controlled the ball for much of the 4th quarter and managed a final touchdown in garbage time to come out victorious 36-14. A few tackles here or there, a couple more breaks and this game could have turned out much different. Great effort by our boys who had already clinched a playoff birth prior to this game. Playoffs begin next week. Come out and cheer our Raider team to a victory!!!