The Eagles and Raiders both came in wanting to start the season strong in a Thursday night week one matchup as SM South.
Senior Marquan Washington started the scoring for the Raiders with a six yard Touchdown run to make it 7-7. Seniors Jakobe Powell and Jared Cikot connected for a 47 yard touchdown for the Raiders to take the lead before half. The Raiders were up at the half 17-14
“Our gameplan was to get the ball to our players in space, trying to wear out their defense, and we were able to execute in that first half really well,” head coach Nick Foster said.
The Raiders kept up the face in the third forcing a fumble on the one-yard line, and the Raiders capitalized with Washington punching in a one yard touchdown run putting the Raiders up 24-14. The Eagles battled back, going into the fourth quarter up 27-24.
In their first drive of the fourth, ON marched down the field and senior quarterback Riley Johnson rushed in a touchdown from yards yards out and converted on a 2 point conversion to give O-North a 35-24 lead with 6:24 left in regulation.
Senior Solomon Hirsch marched the Raiders down the field on the next drive, but on 4th and goal from the eight, came up short giving O-North the ball to close out the game.
“We know what it takes to win now,” senior Drake Debaun said. “We’re not giving up, we’re just going to keep working and putting our hand in the dirt and playing as hard as we can.”“
ON now moves to 1-0 and will face Rockhurst, who is ranked #2 in Missouri Class 5, next Friday at home. The Raiders (0-1) are back in action next Friday, Sept. 12 at home against the Pittsburg Dragons.
