by CAMDEN JOINER
Something eventually had to give in.
The Ravenwood Raptors began their defense of the Region 3-Class 6A title Friday with a defensive battle at Mt. Juliet (1-2, 0-1).
Following a scoreless first half, the Raptors (2-1, 1-0) scored nine points in the fourth quarter to earn a 12-7 victory in their third straight road contest to open the season.
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photos by Kindell Moore
“Playing away or playing at home, football is football,” head coach Richie Wessman said. “Sure, you have to spend time traveling and it takes its toll, but it was a great opportunity for us to start the year.”
After losing the previous week 41-10 to the Brentwood Bruins, the Ravenwood defense rebounded by shutting out Mt. Juliet for most of the game, only giving up a touchdown in the final minute.
The Raptors’ defense, led by outside linebacker Tahj Williams, held Mt. Juliet to 91 yards rushing and just 63 yards through the air.
“Last week we gave up over five turnovers and shanked two punts, that puts your defense in a bind,” Wessman said.
This week the Ravenwood offense had zero turnovers, while its defense recovered three fumbles.
Despite the lack of turnovers, Ravenwood’s offense still struggled to move the chains. Neither team had scored at halftime, but the Raptors took advantage of a Mt. Juliet fumble early in the third. Kicker Jim Roebuck knocked home field goals on consecutive drives to give Ravenwood a 6-0 lead.
D’Angelo Rice increased Ravenwood’s lead to twelve when he scored the game’s first touchdown early in the fourth. It was a tale of two halves for the Raptors’ offense, and they grew more confident as the game unfolded.
“We just came out more motivated in the second half,” quarterback McCain Marrow said. “We were ready to play. The offensive line did so good in the second half, which helped us out a lot.”
Marrow was 17-of-29 and threw for 139 yards.
Ravenwood nearly scored its first touchdown of the evening on a run by Marrow, but the score was called back due to a holding penalty.
Penalties slowed both offenses at key moments throughout the game. The Raptors were penalized ten times for 112 yards, while the Bears drew four flags, costing them 33 yards.
Mt. Juliet quarterback Mason Earls scored the Bears’ first touchdown of the night on a draw play with just :53 seconds left in the game. The ensuing onside kick failed to roll ten yards, and Ravenwood was able to escape Mt. Juliet by taking a knee in victory formation.
But staying true to the game’s prevailing themes, the Bears’ defense even made taking a knee difficult for Ravenwood. Marrow was hit after his initial kneel down, drawing offsetting penalties. He was then hit again on the following play, but by then the clock had finally ran out on Mt. Juliet.
Ravenwood makes its home debut Friday against Centennial (2-1).
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