BY GENE NARDI
On Friday, Oct. 23, the Seminole Ridge High School varsity football squad hosted Glades Central High School and fell to the Raiders 35-6. The defeat brings the Hawks’ overall record to 2-6 on the season.
The game started with both teams going three-and-out on their first possession.
The Raiders broke the ice with a 35-yard touchdown pass to take an early 7-0 lead. While the Hawks struggled offensively early on, the Raiders continued to expose the Hawks’ defense through the air, with a 50-yard touchdown pass to take a 14-0 lead.
James Blackmon threw his third touchdown pass for the Raiders from 7 yards out to start the second quarter, and lifted Glades Central to a 21-0 advantage. This time, the Hawks responded. Quarterback Jeremiah Brown led his team to midfield with a balanced attack and solid runs from running back Joseph Schergen. Brown then threw his first of three interceptions, giving the Raiders just half the field to work with.
Seminole Ridge held the Raiders to a fourth-and-long, and a potential punt situation, but a Hawks penalty gave the Raiders new life on their possession with a fourth-and-short. Glades Central elected to attempt to convert but drew a higher hand, when running back Ja’Kevious Vickers broke several tackles and raced off for a 42-yard touchdown to extend the Raiders’ lead to 28-0.
The Hawks had just enough time to drive down to the Glades Central 36-yard line before the end of the first half, but came up empty and closed out the half down by four touchdowns.
In the second half, the Hawks defense gave their offense opportunities by creating turnovers, forcing two Raider fumbles. The Hawks twice drove inside the Raiders’ 35-yard line, but could not get into the end zone.
The Seminole Ridge defense continued to pressure the Raiders, forcing a punt. Brown led the Hawks’ offense on a 70-yard drive that was capped by a Chase Johnston 2-yard touchdown run to close the margin to 28-6. The point after was wide. Vickers would deliver the knockout blow to the Hawks with a 14-yard touchdown run on the ensuing possession for the Raiders to give them a 35-6 lead.
Late in the fourth quarter, Seminole Ridge drove to the Raiders’ 34-yard line with solid play from receivers Tony Puleo and Ty Smith and running back Justin Allie, but Brown threw his third pick of the game, nullifying a scoring opportunity. The Raiders held on for the 35-6 win.
Seminole Ridge will travel to Jupiter High School on Friday, Oct. 30 at 7 p.m.
ABOVE: Seminole Ridge receiver Shaquille Bussey shakes Raider defenders for a big gain.
