RAIDERS DEFENSE PRESERVES STREAK, RANGE WINS BIG OVER CCC

CANTON, OH- The Raiders came into week 3 on a high note, just coming off a shut out win over one of their rivals, Crestview. But Canton Central Catholic was going to be a big test for the Raiders. Both teams came into this week 1-1. And both teams were coming off shut outs the week before. The Crusaders had a high powered passing game to deal with. Quarterback Austin Beck had thrown for nearly 700 yards in the first 2 weeks. But the Raiders were ready for it. The Raiders took the opening drive right down the field and scored on a 19-yard crossing route. Isaac Allegretto threw a strike to Junior wideout Luke Crumbacher for the 19 yr score.

The Crusaders would take their shot at the ball and drive down the field against the Raiders to end the first quarter. To start the second quarter the Crusaders would get the ball all the way down to the half-yard line before quarterback Beck would get stepped on by one of his linemen and fumbled the exchange into the end zone where the Raiders recovered.  The Raiders would take the ball and drive down the field for another score when Allegretto would bootleg in for his first of 2 touchdown runs for the evening.

The Raiders would end the first half with another score when Allegretto hit Senior wideout Ian Toy for a 25-yard TD. Raiders were up 19-0 at half time due to a missed extra point and a failed 2 point conversion. CCC would try to mount a comeback in the second half but their opening drive was stopped on a fumble when Toy came on a blitz and hit Beck from behind forcing a fumble. The Raiders drove the ball all the way down to the 4-yard line when Isaac threw a perfect fade route to the corner for wideout Chris Brooks.

South Range would add a late touchdown when Allegretto would run for his second TD late in the forth. The Raiders defense was the true shining star this evening. The D forced 2 fumbles and 3 interceptions and pitched the shut out. CCC had some success running and throwing early, but the Raider D tightened up when CCC got into the red zone. The Crusaders reached the red zone 5 times during the game and came away with no points. The Raiders didn’t have to worry about Friday the 13th tonight because they were the ones to be scared of this evening!

The Raiders start league play next week as they travel to Poland to battle the Bulldogs.

*Story contributed by YSN’s Paul Munson