The Davidson Raiders senior boys football team wrapped up their third season with a 95-44 loss at Kinsmen Field to the LCBI Bisons last Thursday, which ended a year the team believes helped lay down another stepping stone towards a prosperous future.
Looking to lock down a playoff spot the Bisons (3-2) hit the Raiders (1-4) hard and fast with LCBI running back Kayden Johnson scoring his first of four touchdowns of the night on the opening kickoff. After a Raider offence got tied up after the score, Johnson scored his second on the Bisons first play of their next possession.
Three more touchdowns later Davidson found themselves losing 30-0 halfway through the first quarter, which seemed to wake up the Raiders offence. In the first of many outstanding long runs during the game tight end Patrick Nordmarken sprinted 70-yards down the sidelines to give Davidson their first six points on the board.
Young quarterback Andrew Read and receiver Addison Ouellette were particularly strong during the game playing years beyond their actual age. They, along with a strong running game by tight end Casey Lloyd, helped the Raiders make the score a respectable 44-18 after the first quarter and 71-32 at the half.
The second half was similar to the first with the teams exchanging touchdowns seemingly at will. The Bisons offence led by Johnson, Cody Anderson and a great receiving game by Matt Edwards just proved too strong for the young Raider defence
Raiders tight end/quarterback Mike Kowalski said the team had their ups and downs during the game. He said the offence executed well, but considering this is only their third year of the program there are still a few things they need to polish.
“It was just a battle of the offences this game,” said Kowalski. “They have a really good running back and (then) we started picking up our play. Pat Nordmarken played outstanding running the ball and getting the points.”
Raiders coach Jason Low said his team played with a lot of heart and despite the loss they should look to the 44 points they put on the board and the fact everyone got some time on the field as positives to take out of the game. He said the team is making good strides, including their first win Oct. 4 over the Loreburn/Kenaston Aztecs, and should take comfort in the progress the team is making.
“We’ve got a bunch of guys there who just finished playing three years of what they said is the best sport (and) the best game they’ve ever played,” said Low. “You have to consider that when you’re building something you’re going to have little pieces of success and it’s going to continue. You can’t build a really successful season in three years, so I think we’re really happy with the steps we’ve made. The building blocks are all in place and we look forward to the future.”
To read more please see the October 14 print edition of The Davidson Leader.