Raiders Game Called No Contest Due to Weather Conditions
Racine, Wisconsin-The Racine Raiders game against the Flag City Phantoms was called just before the start of the second half due to lightning. According to both teams’ league rules, a game must have at least one play in the second half for the game to be counted. Since the delay began before the second half wasn’t able to kick off, the game was ruled a no contest meaning the game doesn’t count towards either team’s record. The Gridiron Developmental Football League (GDFL) is allowing the Raiders game versus the Michigan Bills on May 18th to count as a league game as proxy.
Racine will therefore still have eight league games on their record at the end of the regular season.
Before the game was called, the Raiders and Phantoms were in a close one with a score of 21-13 in favor of the Raiders at halftime.
The Raiders offense continued their exceptional play, totaling over 195 yards and three touchdowns in the first half.
The Raiders defense faced their toughest challenge of the season allowing 102 total yards and two touchdowns while putting up one sack and three tackles for loss in the half.
The Raiders first score of the game came on a pass from QB Sawyer Schick to former Ohio University WR Will Norwood for an 18-yard touchdown. Brady Wodack would come on to make the extra point to make the game 7-0 with 9:05 remaining in the first quarter.
After a quick touchdown response by the Phantoms, the Raiders were right back to it when Schick connected with Norwood again this time on a 19-yard touchdown. Wodack would come on to make the extra point making it 14-7 Raiders with just over a minute left in the first quarter.
The Phantoms would go on to score their second touchdown just after the two-minute warning in the second quarter. This did provide Racine with just enough time to run a two-minute offense. The Raiders drove down the field to get into scoring position when once again Schick found Norwood in the endzone for the third time in the first half. Wodack came on to make the extra point putting the Raiders up 21-13 with seven seconds remaining in the second quarter.
Schick, a former UW La Crosse longsnapper and QB, completed 15-of-23 passes for 139 yards and three passing touchdowns to go along with one interception.
Norwood led all receivers in receptions, yards, and touchdowns with four receptions for 57 yards and three touchdowns. Darrell James totaled three receptions for 33 yards. Bibby Davis had 15 yards on one reception and Terrence Fitch recorded nine yards on two receptions.
Rashawn Herron led the way rushing with 35 yards on six attempts. Greg Kennedy added ten yards on four attempts and Travis Hayes rushed for six yards on three attempts.
Defensive lineman Gage Zahradnik led the way defensively with three tackles, one sack, and three tackles for loss. Linebacker Justin Benko contributed four tackles and one tackle for loss.
The Raiders (5-0) will travel to Toledo, Ohio next week to take on the Glass City Tigers (5-5) with a 5 pm CT kickoff. The Raiders will once again look to tie the 1983-1984 Gladiators with 21 straight wins while also making head coach Wilbert Kennedy the second coach in Raiders history to reach 100 career wins.
Racine Raiders Player of the Week presented by The Dish Restaurant - Racine, WI
Week 6: WR Will Norwood - 4 receptions, 57 yards | 3 TD in 1st half.
MyEyes Photography Scott Olsen