It was a rain soaked afternoon when the Eastman Raiders Black team took to the field at Rods field. The game began with the Raiders receiving the kickoff and starting the drive at their own 30 yard line. The Raiders moved the ball down the field smartly with some nice runs from Cazden, Anthony, Gavin and Evan. The drive was stalled at the Rods 45 yard line due to a fumble. However St James gave the ball back on the very next play with a fumble of their own. Then Cazden provided the longest run of all setting the Raiders up at the 10 yard line. Evan finished things off with a good outside run to give Eastman the lead. The offensive line really stood tall in blocking to set up the first score. The convert was missed but at the end of 1 quarter is was Raiders 6-Rods 0.
The 2nd quarter was highlighted by some strong tackling by Jerome/Evan/Stephen and Cazden. The Raiders drove the ball down the field to the Rods 20 yard line before they ended up having to punt. As a result of the punt the Rods were pinned on their own 10 yard line. But on the Rods very next play #9 for the Rods got to the outside and went the distance for St James first points of the game. Strong defence by both sides made the half time score 6-6.
To start the 2nd half the Raiders kicked off to St James and the Rods put together a drive of their own to score the go ahead touchdown. St James managed to get the 1 point convert with a rush to the outside. There was’nt much more by the offences from there and at the end of 3 quarters the Rods led 13-6.
In the fourth quarter the Raiders offence put up a good effort driving it down the field with runs from Evan, Cazden, and Gavin before Danic ran the ball in to score the Raiders 2nd touchdown with just under 6 minutes left in the game. The convert was missed and it was Rods 13 Raiders 12. The Raiders defence worked hard the rest of the way but the Rods managed a long run to score their 3rd touchdown. St James made the convert and with 2 minutes remaining the Rods had a 20-12 lead. Unfortunately the Raiders were unable to put together another drive and the game ended Rods 20-Raiders 12.