Jr. Raider Teams Fight Hard in Third Week of Play

Division I (Grades 7-8)

The Division I Wolverines improved to 3-0 on the season with the help of explosive runs by Matthew Hendrix’s 77 yard TD and J. J. Bagdan’s 32 yard TD. The offensive line led by Connor Stack and John Willey also allowed QB Matt Kuc to connect with Hendrix for a 25 yard TD pass.  The defense came through when needed most, outstanding play by linebackers Matt LaSala and Alex Shutz combined for a dozen tackles, and LaSala’s interception on the last play of game sealed the victory. Other defensive standouts were Ryan Stroka with 1½ sacks and a key fumble recovery by Brett Willey.  Special teams also played a big role in the game. Just after an Ole Miss TD, the Wolverines’ Jordan Foust returned the kickoff 42 yards, which led to a Wolverine TD.  

The Ole Miss offense moved the ball up and down the field but turnovers in the red zone cost them. Ole Miss drove their first possession to the Michigan 10 where a fumbled snap cost them a scoring chance. On their next possession, the Rebels put together another long drive. This time, Tyler Minters 4 yard run gave them a 6-0 lead. The lead was short lived as Michigan returned to ensuing kickoff to the Ole Miss 25 yard line. Michigan scored on the next play to tie the game at 6-6. The score stayed that way until the final play of the half when Michigan scored on a pass play to take a 12-6 halftime lead.   

Ole Miss received the 2nd half kickoff and again drove down the field. This time QB Matt Moore found Ben Versaci, who made a diving catch in the end zone to tie the game at 12-12. Again the Wolverines added a quick score as Matt Hendrix’s long touchdown run put Michigan ahead to stay.  Ole Miss then put together a 10-minute drive, but failed to score. On a forth and long run Keirre Mayer was tackled just short of the goal line. Michigan then tried to run out the clock. Ole Miss would have 1 final chance getting the ball back with 22 seconds remaining and no timeouts. Matt Moore’s Hail Mary pass was intercepted as the clock ran out to end the game and a tough battle. Kyle Richardson led the Ole Miss defense in tackles and a recovered fumble.  Josh Villa also played well defensively. Vincent Dante made his first catch of the year.

Final score of the game was 18-12 with Ole Miss dropping to a 1-2 record.  “Again we played well but just came up short”, said head coach Russ Surace.  “We had a few letdowns and unfortunately it cost us.” Game MVP for the Wolverines was Matthew Hendrix.

It was a defensive battle between the Division I Pitt Panthers and the Texas Longhorns.  The Longhorns defense came out fired up and controlled the first half of play.  Jeremy Shipley recovered a fumble and had an interception for the Longhorns.  Tyler Boatwright ran a 70 yard punt return back for a touchdown but it was negated by a penalty.  Noah Quick scored a 16 yard TD to take the lead before halftime. 

Pitt’s roar was not heard until the second half with a long run by Patrick Vinchur setting up the first touchdown by Justin Tubby. Pitt defense was led by Jack Edwards, Trevor Pavenski, Ari Weinberger, Patrick Vinchur and Keegan Minter all making great plays. Kevin Diaz had a key interception and an impressive stop followed by a block punt by Jack Edwards to lead Pitt over Texas 12 to 6. 

The Longhorns defense put up a stellar fight, but fell to the Panthers by a score of 12-6.  Despite the loss, the Longhorns continue to see great effort and improvements.

Division III (Grades 3-4)

Division III USC got off to a quick 6-0 lead when Jimmy Kelly faked to Ethan McLaughlin and kept the ball to run for a long touchdown.  Kelly had another one called back, but USC held on for the victory.  Princeton was led by Ryan Vierbuchen, who had several long runs. USC’s defense was led by Jordan Nussbaum, who had several tackles for loss from his defensive end position.

The Princeton Tigers played strong offense and defense against the USC Trojans.  On offense, the Tigers rolled down the field on the legs of Cole Psemeneki, Ryan Vierbuchen and Adam Movshin with smart QB play by Michael Hoffman.  The offensive line play of Brett Radomski, Michael Sateary and Andrew Ely contributed to the yardage gained by the Tigers.  The defense provided a strong front against the USC Trojans with notable tackles by Luke Popaduik and Andrew Santa Barbara.

USC held Princeton off and emerged as victors with a final score of 6-0.  Game MVP for USC was Jordan Nussbaum.

Flag (Grades 1-2)

In the Wednesday night flag game (September 19th), the Redskins offense came alive under the lights as Joe Witcowski, Dominick Bonsignore and Austin and Peter Quandt all scored TDs.  Defensively, the Skins were led by Tanner Bozcon, Nick Donnelly and Peter Quandt, all with 4 flags each.  Tommy Freda made an outstanding flag grab as the defense held the Lions to 2 scores.  Game MVP for the Redskins was Austin Quandt.

In flag play, the Lions had a tough game on Saturday, September 22nd, against the 49ers.  The Lions had a few good runs from Carson DeRoner, Zack Conklin, Luke Donnadio and Tyler VanCleef although nothing materialized.  Defensively Parker Keenan, Jack Miller, Nicholas Santa Barbara and Evan Schley had some good flag pulls.

The flag Redskins met the Vikings on Saturday, September 22nd.  The Redskins offense stayed hot with 5 TD runs.  Kevin Shelton got things started with an outstanding 60 yard run.  Tanner Bozcon and Joe McChesney also had long TD runs and Tommy Freda earned a hard fought 5 yard TD.  Joe Witcowski finished the scoring with a beautiful 50 yarder on the game’s last play.  Conner Van Cleef got his first ever points on a P.A.T. and Nick Donnelley got another.  Tanner Bozcon and Joe Witcowski led the defense with 7 and 6 flags, respectively.  Game MVPs for the Redskins were Tommy Freda and Joe Witcowski. On Viking offense, James Barone and Jack McLaughlin help sustain one of the longest drives of the season.   Barone was able to use his strength to gain 15 yards on a drive up the middle and McLaughlin used his speed to get around the corner for a 25 yard run.    On defense, Jacyce Loniewski led the team with 5 flag pulls.  Jack McLaughlin and Jack Storipan helped with 4 flag pulls each.   Game MVP for the Vikings was Jack McLaughlin.

In the late Saturday flag game, the Broncos squared off against a tough Bears squad.  The Broncos scored on their first possession.  QB Logan Eilbacher directed the initial drive.  Jehki Williams’s TD run of 60 yards on the third play from scrimmage set the stage for the Broncos big offensive day.  Tyler Jackson ran the ball to the left side of the end zone for the extra point.  The Broncos defense continued to come up big with flag pulling from Lance Eilbacher, Nate Kondratiuk, Logan Eilbacher, Jehki Williams, Bradon Lobello and Dominick Monsorno.  Once the Broncos got the ball back, Lance Eilbacher took the handoff for a 40 yard TD run.  Nate Kondratiuk finished off the scoring with the extra point to the right.  During the next Broncos defensive stance, Nate Kondratiuk came up with an interception to stop the Bears momentum.  Back on offense, QB Jehki Williams put the ball in the hands of Logan Eilbacher, who sliced through the Bears defense for a 50 yard TD run.  Ryan Leary took the handoff and dove into the end zone for the extra point.  The Broncos defense continued to shut down the Bears offense.  Max Treonze made a TD saving play, as he grabbed the flag of a Bears running back as he got to the outside.  On the last offensive series for the Broncos, QB Lance Eilbacher got to the outside and turned in a 30 yard TD run.  Richie Loniewski took the handoff on the right side and finished it off by scoring the extra point.  The Broncos offensive line continued to provide key blocks that opened holes for the running game.  On defense, the Broncos continued their flag pulling and kept the Bears potent offense out of the end zone for the game.