By Joel van der Veen

HANLEY — A hometown rivalry was renewed as the Hanley Sabers hosted the Davidson Raiders last weekend.

Spectators from across the district flocked to the Hanley field for the senior football game on Sept. 16.

Both teams played an aggressive game, with Hanley leading 26-22 at the midway point. The Sabers pulled away for good in the fourth quarter, winning 69-50, but the Raiders kept the fight up till the very end.

“It was a very tight game, as we had expected,” said Sabers coach Mark Anderson.

He said his team was able to take advantage of its larger roster, while fatigue was a factor for the Raiders with players going in both directions.

Still, Anderson said, he was impressed by the fight Davidson put up, pointing to quarterback Andrew Read in particular.

“He made a lot of plays on broken plays,” he said, adding that it was “hard to stop somebody who is that elusive.”

Raiders coach Jason Low said the game was a team effort from start to finish, and “probably our best performance to date.”

“We really feel competitive this year,” he said, noting the team is “in a good spot to win every game we play.”

He acknowledged that fatigue was a factor as the game went on, adding that allowing two kick-return touchdowns cost the Raiders.

For the full story, see the Sept. 26 edition of The Davidson Leader or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.