October 18, 2024 by Kevin Riordan
Back in August the players circled this game on their schedule anticipating a physical battle as the 5-0 Raiders took on the 4-1 Quincy United. Battling the down pouring rain and the speed of Quincy the 8th graders were ready for any adversity and managed to score 37 unanswered points with three touchdowns through the air and another three on the ground to remain unbeaten.
All season the coaching strategy has been to score early and often and that just what the Raiders did on their first possession when QB Hudson Garrity connected with wideout Cole Shevlin for a 31 yard TD and a quick 7-0 lead. The Raiders defense with tackles from Evan Tomasello, Rhett Shevlin and Shamus Devine forced a quick punt by Quincy. QB Garrity once again hit Cole Shevlin for a 28 pass gain and then connected with Shamus Devine across the middle setting up a first and goal at the 9 yard line. On just the third play of the drive Garrity threw a pass into the flats to Rhett Shevlin who slashed his way into the end zone for a 13-0 lead in the 1stquarter. On defense linebacker Mason Aframe dominated the series making a TD saving tackle then forcing a fumble that Brayden Huber recovered at their own 29 yard line. After a first down run by Evan Tomasello, QB Garrity lofted a long pass to Shamus Devine who leapt over the defender for a 68 yard touchdown. On the extra point QB Neil Deininger tossed a screen pass to Andrew Nolan who was stopped inches from the goal for a 19-0 lead. Defensively the front line led by Frank Cavagnaro, Denny Costello and Brayden Huber pressured the Quincy QB as linebacker Cam Forger blitzed for a sack that forced Quincy to punt on 4th down. Taking the snap from Brooks Johnson QB Garrity used his running skills outmaneuvering several would be tacklers for a 46 yard run. Garrity then muscled his way behind blocks from Will Taylor and Will Berkeley for a rushing TD to go up 25-0. One play later Safety Johnny Heller read the Quincy QB’s eyes and jumped the pass route to intercept the ball and run it back 35 yards for a pick six taking a commanding 31-0 lead into halftime.
The rainy second half had the Raiders playing ball control offense that featured runs from Coen Melgoza, Jack Hart, and Neil Deininger. On defense the Raiders front line of Ryan Crespi, Ezra Everly, Mason Devine and Jordan Owens-Ayala shut down Quincy’s rushing attack with the help of linebackers Mickey Syp, Grant Riordan and John Peterson to force a punt. A play later on offense RB Johhny Heller earned his second TD of the day with a 65 yard sprint up the middle and a 37-0 lead. Quincy managed to score a late TD to give the Raiders the well earned 37-6 victory.