Seth Grove Stadium was filled with enthusiastic football fans as they gathered to see the Raider football team play against themselves in the annual spring “Red-White” game.
With a team that has many impact offensive players, the game was surprisingly defensive from start to finish. Even the announcers were surprised at the lack of offense on both ends during the game.
The White team put the first points on the board midway through the first quarter. Red team quarterback Chris Moyer threw an interception to Tyriq Kershaw, who returned it to the Red 38-yard line. However, the Red defense did its job on the ensuing White drive, holding it to a Drew Newcomer 29-yard field goal.
On the very next drive, the Red team answered, as quarterback Zach Zulli orchestrated a well-balanced drive down the field that led to a perfectly-thrown pass to wide receiver Trevor Harman in the end zone, giving the Red team a 7-3 lead.
To start the second quarter, the Red team would come out strong. Zulli found Blair Brooks for a huge gain that took the Red team to the White seven-yard line. Shortly after, the Red’s Daniel Wheeler touchdown offensive pass interference negated a would be touchdown. The Red team would have to settle for a 37-yard field goal by Nate Schmidt, extending its lead, 10-3.
After a defensive shootout, the Whites chose to attempt a 52-yard field goal toward the end of the half, but Newcomer would fall just short, but they bounced back by making a field goal in the closing seconds of the half, cutting the Reds’ lead to four, 10-6.
The White team received the ball to open the second half. The defensive battle continued on both sides, but the Whites regained the lead with quarterback Chase Moyer throwing to Maurice Harris for a touchdown in the beginning of the fourth quarter, giving the Whites the lead, 13-10.
The Red team put the game away when Cody Fleming intercepted Chris Lawshe and returned it for a touchdown.
The White team gave it one more try when they faced a fourth and short in the closing minute of the game. Moyer could not convert on the fourth down and the Red team took over as the final seconds wound down.
Zach Zulli was 16 of 32 for 177 passing yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Chase Moyer completed 8 of 10 for 79 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
Bernard Smack ran for 45 yards on 13 carries. Bo Wilson completed 38 yards on 11 carries, and Blair Brooks ran for 37 yards on just four attempts.
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