Sat.Sep.17 9:00 a.m.
A.D. Penner Park – Raiders’ Field
Eastman Bantam Raiders 40 Transcona Nationals 22
The sky was cloudy, it was 9 degrees to start and the fog was setting in. That’s when the wait started. Yes… a miscommunication meant the referees were 45 minutes late but the game DID begin and what a game followed.
Defense got the call to start and made a huge stop to begin the game… not even a first down for the Nationals. Offence tried some long throws, but didn’t capitalize, and when Transcona got the ball back our defense put some serious pressure on the quarterback but he found a way to get the ball away and that ended in a touchdown. The extra point was good. 7-0 Nationals.
Offence started the next drive with a good throw and a run but an interception by their #91 stopped it short and defense was back on. A bit of a march down the field by their #1 and #11, and somehow their quarterback, yes, #1, got out of our grasp 3 times and off he went for a 60 yard touchdown run! 14-0 Nationals.
Defense seemed to wake up at this point and got the ball back to us. Offence connected on a long pass, a late hit on our quarterback got us another 1st down, and then a punt by us. Great pursuit on the kick and they started their drive on their own 30 yard line. Awesome defense held them and our offense got going on their 20 yard line and we connected and held on for a TOUCHDOWN. 14-8 Nationals. A massive stop by the defense, catches started coming, strong running and a catch in traffic – touchdown!! The snap was on the money, a quick hold and great kick for 2 more. 16-14 Raiders!!
There was certainly drama to start the 2nd half. Transcona Nationals’ head coach decided to run onto the field and as a result was disqualified. It took him awhile to leave but away he went… and so did our offence. Some sweet plays, a hard push and into the end zone we went. Touchdown plus 2 points. 14-14 Raiders. The defence tackled with authority and their quarterback showed his displeasure which got him a misconduct penalty and gave us some extra yards to start our drive. Didn’t quite find the end zone on but the defence stopped them again. Offence found 3 different receivers and some late hits by the Nationals and we were knocking on the door once again and this time, walked right through – TOUCHDOWN! 32-14 Raiders!
A good long kick by us but unfortunately an even longer run back by their #88 for a touchdown made it 32-22 Raiders. A HUGE stop by our Raiders’ D once again, ball back to us, back to defense, back to offence, defense broke up some passing plays by them and we found the end zone for good measure. Final score 40-22.
Well done gentlemen!! Every game you learn something and perhaps this game taught us that patience is essential if you want to win a lot! You adjusted and you stayed classy. Consistently offering the opposing team a hand to help them up — even when it was refused shows GREAT character and that’s who we are. You, as players, showed amazing composure and you deserved that win!! WELL PLAYED!! GO RAIDERS!!
