The Lineup . . . Raider defenders line up to stop the Arapahoe running back if he turns their direction. It's not likely, however, as Rocky Miller on the left has the runner in his arm and that runner won't go very far. Roy Davidson and Nolan Ostdiek get in position to stop anyone going around their side of the field.
Defense . . . . often wins games. Connor Janda is one of the Raider's team leaders in tackles and is shown above bringing down this Arapahoe runner.
Many football fans watch college and professional football games only, not wanting to take the time to watch high school games.
You know what ? ? ?
They miss most of the fun, and some really good football games.
Take last Friday's game at Blue Hill (BH) for an example. The Blue Hill announcer proclaimed the game to be part of the "Boarder War" between the two neighboring schools. Some were saying the local boys had an easy win as they judged the game by the final score.
Well, they were wrong as the Raiders took the first half of the game to take seriously. At least that was the impression of this reporter.
L-N was fortunate they brought their "A" defensive effort for the night for they were probably the determining factor in the game.
Take a look at the game by quarters:
Quarter No. 1; BH kicked off to start the game, but the Raiders gave up the ball after five plays. One of only several breakdown of the defense happened on Blue Hill's first play of the game. BH blocked well and their runner found the right side of the field wide open and he raced 46 yards for a TD. (PAT failed) 0-6.
The rest of the quarter was scoreless. L-N put together a 13 play, 43 yard drive that looked it was going to score. However, after reaching the 8 yard line, a fumble stopped the Raiders short.
BH did pick up a first down, but did punt on the first play of the second quarter.
Quarter No. 2: Two things will be remembered during the time of the second period. First off, the rain started early in the period. (However, those fans on the Raider side of the field still had to look into the sun most of the time.)
Secondly: L-N's 'ground-game' replaced any passing contemplated. The 15 play, 70 yd. scoring drive consisted of 4, 5 or 6 yard gains each play until Connor Janda scored on a nine yard run with 4:33 in the second period to play. He also ran the PAT and L-N finally put points on the scoreboard and had an 8 to 6 lead.
Did I mention the defense played well? In the second period BH ran only 6 plays producing 5 yards total offense. Half time score: L-N 8 – BH 6.
Quarter No. 3: I mentioned that BH's first play of the game scored a TD, well, in the second half, BH did the very same thing, only it was a 65 yd. run. However, that play was called back because of a BH penalty and from there on, the quarter belongs to L-N.
• BH had to punt from their own 10 yd. line and Janda returned the punt 35 yds. to the BH five yd. line.
• Janda finished the trip to the end zone on the first Raider offensive play. PAT run good: 16-5.
• The Raider defense held BH to a minus five yds. and BH punted.
• Six plays and 53 yds. later, Janda again scored on an eight yd. run. PAT run good and L-N led 24-6 with 4:42 left in the game. Jack Williams' 26 yard run sparked the offensive drive.
• BH ran four plays for two offensive yds. and punted.
• Four runners took advantage of the linemen blocking schemes to score again. Bargen, Janda, Jack Williams and Cody Funk all had a hand in running the ball which ended with Janda scoring with 1:12 on the clock. Janda also ran the PAT: 32-6.
• BH ran four plays, gained 3 yds. and punted just before the period ended.
The Raider defense held BH to only five yds. on offense for this quarter.
Quarter No. 4: The Raiders' first possession included several major penalties and resulted in turning the ball over on downs. BH again broke a big run of 40 yds. to score, also scoring the PAT. 32-14.
BH's "on-side kick off" was successful, but they could not move the ball very far and L-N took over the ball with 3:15 left in the game.
The final scoring drive by L-N covered 54 yds. and done by the committee of running backs. Jack Williams did much of the work and Cody Funk scored the TD with 0:49 seconds left in the game. The PAT failed: 38-14.
After a slow start in the first half of the game L-N played a very good third period. The defensive effort was maybe the decisive factor in the game this week.
Unofficial statistics are:
Offense: L-N: Rushing: 312 yds.; Passing: 44 yds.; Total: 356. BH: Rushing: 163 yds.; Passing: 6 yds.; Total: 166 yds.
Individual: Connor Janda: 163 yds. Rushing; 3 of 7 passing for 44 yds.; Bayln Bargen 49 yds. Rushing; Cody Funk 20 yds. Rushing; Jack Williams 96 yds. Rushing, 8 yds., 1 Pass Reception; Nolan Ostdiek: 36 yds., 2 Pass Receptions.
First Downs: L-N: 13; BH: 3.
Penalties: L-N 6 for 65 yds.; BH: 4 for 35 yds.
Fumbles: L-N: 3, none lost but did not recover an on-side kick off; BH: 1, none lost.
Defensive stats were not available at press time.
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