Raiders Win in Dominant Fashion

Racine, Wisconsin-The Racine Raiders (4-0) dominated on Saturday night scoring nine touchdowns while holding the Tennessee Hornets (0-1) to six points. The Raiders would go on to win 65-6 at Historic Horlick Athletic Field. 

The Raiders offense started hot and kept the momentum going all game. The Raiders offense put up over 440 total yards with three rushing touchdowns and six passing touchdowns.

The Raiders' defense was once again dominant allowing only 33 total yards of offense and a single touchdown. The defense gave up their first points in the first half all season but shut out the Hornets for the rest of the game.

Racine’s first score came after defensive back J.D Hardy's interception, and the Raiders offense took over at the three-yard line. Rashawn Herron took a handoff and jetted in for the three-yard score. Brady Wodack would convert the extra point to make the game 7-0 only 29 seconds into the game.

After a quick drive by the Hornets, the Raiders once again were in position to score. Andre Locke connected with Rico Flores on a six-yard touchdown reception. Wodack came on and missed the extra point making it 13-0 Raiders with just over nine minutes remaining in the first quarter.

After a long scoring drive by the Hornets, the Raiders looked to respond, and they did quickly. Locke connected with Will Norwood on a deep post for a 58-yard touchdown pass. Wodack would come on to redeem himself and make the game 20-6 with just over two minutes remaining in the first quarter. 

Early in the second quarter, Locke once again found the endzone on a three-yard pass to Jashon Foster. Wodack came on to make it 29-6. Locke stayed red hot with his fourth touchdown pass a couple of minutes later, connecting with Jersey Eickhorst on a ten-yard touchdown. Wodack came on to make it a 38-6 lead for the Raiders.

Being up by 32 points, the Raiders decided to insert Sawyer Schick at quarterback. Schick connected with Darrell James for an eight-yard touchdown. Wodack split the uprights again on his extra point conversion, making it 45-6 with just under three minutes remaining in the second quarter.

The Raiders then turned to the run game late in the second quarter. Travis Hayes scored on a six-yard touchdown and Wodack connected for the final point of the half, making it 52-6 with less than two minutes remaining in the second quarter.  Hayes would take it in for another seven-yard rushing touchdown halfway through the third quarter. The extra point was no good, making the game 58-6.

The final score of the game came when Raiders quarterback Antoine McKinney connected with Jersey Eickhorst for a ten-yard score. Wodack would come on the redeem himself again making it 65-6 with two minutes remaining in the game.

Locke completed 9-of-13 passes for 158 yards and tossed four touchdown passes. Schick completed 4-of-6 attempts for 41 yards with one interception to go with his one passing touchdown. McKinney completed 1-of-3 attempts for four -yards and one passing touchdown in his minimal playing time.

Norwood led all receivers with 58 yards. Rico Flores led the team in receptions with three for 32 yards and one touchdown. Eickhorst led the team with two touchdown receptions.  In all, ten different receivers had at least one reception for the Raiders.

The Raider rushing attack piled up 240 yards on the ground in 24 carries.  Sean White led the way in rushing with ten attempts for 89 yards, followed by Hayes who totaled 80 yards and two touchdowns on seven attempts. Starting running back Rashawn Herron had 54 yards and one touchdown on five attempts, before being shut down early due to the lopsided score.

 First-year players paced the Raiders on defense. Cordero Williams led the team with six tackles, all solo, including one sack, and a forced fumble. Rookie Jake Mittelstaedt had five tackles and led the team with two sacks. Six different defenders recorded a sack for the Raiders, who accumulated seven sacks in total. The Raiders defense and special teams also recorded two safeties in the second quarter.

The Raiders travel to Minnesota this next weekend to face the St. Paul Pioneers (2-4) at Burnsville High School with a 6:00 pm CT kickoff. The team will hold a viewing party at Angry Brothers Pub and Grill on Highway 20 in Racine. Raiders fans are encouraged to join other fans to create a game-day atmosphere at Angry Brothers Pub and Grill.

PHOTO CREDIT: Scott Olsen, MyEyes Photography