Braves defeat Raiders in finals, 37 to 16
Two big plays by Avon in the 2nd half, prove decisive

   The Raiders and the Braves had been battling back and forth for the better part of three quarters of the Section V Class DD Championship contest. The Raiders who had cut the Avon lead to 22 to 16 just before halftime and in the 2nd half it looked like this game was going to go down to the final minutes. Avon’s defensive back, Brandon Fuentes would quickly change the complexion of the game though when with 4 minutes remaining in the 3rd quarter, he jumped on a Raider sideline pass, intercepting it and raced 40-yards, untouched, for the Avon touchdown. The Braves were not done yet when leading 30 to 16, Avon would strike again, this time on a backbreaking 83-yard scamper by quarterback James Stanton with 10 minutes remaining in the contest. This second of the two big, 2nd half plays, effectively crushed any chance of a Cal-Mum victory.

   The Championship game started out very inauspiciously for Cal-Mum. Avon’s Rich Welch returned the Raiders’ opening kickoff 53-yards to the Cal-Mum 23-yard line. Two plays later, Avon quarterback James Stanton threw a perfect 21-yard pass to a well-covered Garrett Kessel in the right corner of the Raider end zone for an Avon score, just 56 seconds into the game. Kessel would kick the extra-point and the Braves had jumped out on top 7 to 0.

   The stunned Raiders needed to regroup. Madison Suhr returned the Avon kick off to the CM 31-yard line. The Raiders’ opening offensive first two plays, a 14-yard pass from QB Mike Anderson to Jon Cappotelli and a 10-yard run on the next play gave the Raiders two quick 1st downs, moving the ball to the Avon 44-yard line. The Raiders would move the ball to the 28-yard line but an illegal procedure penalty would contribute to bogging down the drive, eventually turning ball back to the Braves, on downs, at the A 25-yard line.

   Avon’s’ offense continued to be relentless early in the game as Rich Welch ripped off a 22-yard gain on Avon’s first play of the drive. On a 3rd down and 16 from the CM 49-yard line, Avon’s James Stanton would find a streaking Pat Campbell in a seam of the Raider defensive backfield. Stanton’s 34-yard pass completion to Campbell gave the Braves great field position at the Raiders’ 15-yard line. Two plays later, James Stanton would scamper into the Raider end zone for the 2nd Avon score. Following Garrett Kessel’s extra-point kick, Avon was in the lead 14 to 0 and the Raiders with 4:00 remaining in the 1st quarter were looking at the distinct possibility of getting blown right out of the ball game.

   Kudos are needed to be extended to the Raider coaching staff for their effort at this critical point in the game. Coach Monacelli gathered his players together and stressed for them to remain calm, do as they were asked to do in practice all week long and they would be fine. Jon Cappotelli looked to get the ball rolling for Cal-Mum when he returned the ensuing kick off 32-yards, to the CM 39-yard line. Things were still not falling into place for the Raiders and on 4th down and 7-yards to go, Cal-Mum lined up to punt the ball back to Avon. In punt formation, the Raiders instead hiked the ball to the up back Jon Cappotelli who broke to the right, running 26-yards, down to the Avon 32-yard line. This one play changed the whole game around for Cal-Mum. From this point on, this game became a slugfest. The Raiders would go on and finish off the drive when Mike Anderson’s quarterback sneak broke the plane of the goal line, scoring for Cal-Mum. Jon Cappotelli’s 2-point conversion run cut into the Avon lead, 14 to 8 with 11:16 left in the 2nd quarter.

   Both defenses then began to dominate play. Back and forth, each team’s offense would run three plays and then the ball would be kicked back to the opposing team’s offense. The result being a chess match of trying to gain field position. Five punts later, Avon’s kicker Garrett Kessel’s 35-yard punt pinned the Raiders back on the CM 15-yard line. On 3rd down and 14-yards to go the Raiders tried to catch Avon defense off guard but the surprise quick kick did not get the desired results when it traveled only 14-yards to the Avon 25-yard line.

   Avon jumped on the opportunity and on the 1st play of the series, a James Stanton pass found Garrett on a deep slant-in route. The 21-yard pass completion gave the Braves a 1st down and goal from the CM 4-yard line. Two plays later DJ Welch would score from the 2-yard line for Avon and after Welch’s 2-point conversion run and with only 1:34 left on the clock before halftime, the Braves had some breathing room with a 22 to 8 advantage.

   The Raider tried to respond to the score but following two incomplete passes and another pass for short yardage, the Raider were forced to punt the ball back to Avon. With only 59 seconds before halftime, the Raiders called two timeouts following short Avon runs, which were sandwiched around an incomplete pass. Avon was forced to punt from the Braves 19-yard line, with about 33 seconds to go before halftime. The Calling time out strategy worked well for Cal-Mum when Avon’s punted bobbled the ball and Raider Dan Whiteside tackled the punter at the Avon 7-yard line. Seven seconds later, while running back Jon Cappotelli was running to his right, found a wide-open Madison Suhr in the end zone. Cappotelli’s halfback option pass worked to perfection with the results, a Cal-Mum touchdown. QB Mike Anderson would hit Jon Cappotelli with a 2-point conversion pass and the Raiders trailed the Braves by only a 22 to 16 score, at half time.

   The Raiders came out for the 2nd half and received the kickoff. Madison Suhr gave the Raiders nice field position as he returned the kickoff to the CM 40-yard line. The Raiders appeared energized following their late 1st half heroics. The Raider offense marched the ball into Avon territory but the Braves defense stiffened and when a 4th down and 2 Raider pass attempt fell incomplete, the Braves took over possession, at the Avon 22-yard line.

   The Raider defense continued to play inspired ball and forced the Braves into a 3 and out series. The Raiders would take over possession for the second time in the half at the CM 35-yard line. Disaster would strike two plays later when Brandon Fuentes stepped in front of a Mike Anderson pass on the Raider sideline, intercepting it and running the interception back 40-yards, for the Avon score. James Stanton would pass to Pat Campbell for the 2-point conversion and with 4:01 remaining in the 3rd quarter, the Braves enjoyed a two-touchdown cushion, at 30 to 16.

   The Raiders would not go away quietly. Given excellent field position following the Avon TD, compliments of Dan Whiteside kickoff return to the Avon 49-yard line, the Raiders were moving the ball on offense. Mike Anderson tossed a 31-yard pass to a well-covered Jon Cappotelli. Cappotelli managed to catch the ball between three Avon defenders, giving the Raiders possession at the Avon 18-yard line. The Raider drive would end when on a 3rd down and 5 yards to go play, the ball was fumbled and recovered by Avon’s Rich Welch. For a second time in the 2nd half, the Braves had stopped a Raider drive, deep in their territory.

   Avon would manage to move the ball out of the shadow of the Braves goal posts but would have to surrender the ball when the drive stopped at the Avon 39-yard line.

   Entering the 4th quarter the Raiders were forced to go to their passing attack as time was becoming an issue for Cal-Mum. Unfortunately, the Raiders were not able to convert a 1st down but a Zack Hinkson’s punt would pin the Braves deep, at the Avon 17-yard line.

   James Stanton would crush all hope of a Raider victory when on the first play of the drive; Stanton would take the ball on a misdirection play, sweep around his left end and race up the Raider sideline, 83-yards, for the Avon touchdown. Garrett Kessel’s extra-point was good and the Braves held a comfortable 37 to 16, advantage.

   The Raiders would have one final possession but the game was finally decided on the long Stanton run. The Raiders failed to make a 1st down and punted the ball back to Avon. Avon would then ice the ball game as they went on an 8:30 drive, using the rest of the clock before closing out the game.

   This was a game of woulda, shoulda, coulda … for Cal-Mum. The slow start by the Raiders put them into a deep hole, early. There were two potential scoring drives in the second half which both came up empty. The Raiders were hurt by several Avon big yardage plays and not to mention two critical turnovers. There was plenty of down side, certainly, in this game, for the Raiders. But there was some pretty impressive things happening on the Cal-Mum side of the field. After the early Avon running success with only the 83-yard burst by James Stanton early in the 4th quarter, for the most part, the Raiders completely shut down the Avon rushing offense. The game was much closer than the score would indicate. The Raiders played hard and the Braves knew that they were in a game. The Raiders were finally playing Cal-Mum football against our neighbors to the east. The same could not be said, four long weeks ago.

   The Raider rushing leader was Jon Cappotelli with 100 yards in 24 attempts. James Stanton was high man for Avon with 123 yards in 13 carries. Jon Kemnitz and Dan Whiteside led the Raider defense with 12 tackles apiece while Adam Baldeck had a solid game with 11 tackles. Rich Welch was a beast on defense for Avon. Welch recording 10 tackles, 7 of which were solo.

   As is the custom, the Senior Class of 2010 shall be recognized: Mike Anderson, Ben Anastasi, Ryan Callan, Kenny Fenderson, Zack Hinkson, Rob Stone and Sean Ancher. Thank you all for your time and your efforts. You have worn the maroon and white proudly. Your high school football career is finally at an end. As with those who came before you, know also, "Once a Raider, always a Raider." Go you Raiders!

   For all the Cal-Mum Raider underclassmen, it is obvious that there is potential for special times for you in the near future. It is all up to you and how you approach the challenges of next season. The games that were lost this year were more than likely lost in the weight room. Continue to play your other sports and continue to be active. But remember the weight room is the key to success in this sport. Be devoted, be focused and as you become stronger, know that the bonds that you create with your fellow lifters shall become stronger too. Special times are fleeting, don’t wait for them to come to you, you have to go out and get them! Go Raiders

Scoring Summary

Hinkson boots Cal-Mum to OT win
Over time field goal beats Clyde-Savannah 17 to 14

   Standing in nearly the same spot exact spot, where earlier in the 3rd quarter, he had barely missed a field goal attempt, Zack Hinkson stood looking up at the goal posts. This time, he carried the weight of the game squarely upon his shoulders. The Clyde-Savannah coach had called a time-out, to add even more pressure to the situation. The teams then lined up, the ball was snapped to the holder and put down, and the moment the ball was kicked from the hold of Madison Suhr, Zack Hinkson thrust his hands into the air. He knew as soon as he kicked the ball, this game was over! The mob scene around Hinkson, by his Raider teammates, was a spontaneous and a highly emotional release. This game and this day belonged to Zack Hinkson.

   The Raiders came into the Section V Class DD semifinal contest against the top seeded and undefeated Clyde-Savannah Golden Eagles, as the 4th seed. The Eagles had reeked havoc against their opponents all season as they dominated the Finger-Lakes League. The Golden Eagles were quite simply put, a very formidable opponent. The Raiders, on their front, had some problems they had to deal with, coming into this contest. First, was with the loss of running back Tyler Lauffer for the season with a concussion and adding to that problem, the flu bug had hit their "go to man" of late, Jon Cappotelli. Cappotelli’s sickness would relegated him to just playing on the offensive side of the ball. Fortunate for the Raiders, "Capp" was the rushing offense for the Raiders, as he carried the ball on 39 of Cal-Mum’s 50 running plays. As vital as Jon Cappotelli’s contribution to the offense, it must be impressed what a great job that the Raider offensive line of Dan Whiteside, Dan Riggi, Sean Ancher, Kyle Sickles, Jake Oltmann and Adam Baldeck did, while opening the holes that Cappotelli was running through. Cappotelli’s game high 158-yards rushing as well as the line play, were keys to the Raiders controlling the ball with a 28:38 to 19:12, time of possession advantage. The possession time was important for Cal-Mum as this kept the ball out of the hands of the Clyde-Savannah quick-strike offense.

   The Raiders kicked off to open the game. Clyde-Savannah opening drive would start at the C-S 35-yard line. The Raiders’ defense was up to the challenge as they forced the Eagles into a 4 play and out series. The Eagles immediately gave the Raiders excellent field position as the snap on the punt attempt was muffed and Cal-Mum took over possession at the C-S 40-yard line. Cappotelli would then carry the ball on 6 of the next 7 plays as the Raider offense drove to the Eagles’ 2-yard line. Trevor Haut would then bull his way into the end zone on the next play, for the score. The 2-point conversion run was stopped short and with 6:17 left in the 1st quarter; the Raiders had opened the scoring, 6 to 0.

   The Raider lead would be short-lived. Following Rodrigo Morales’ 19-yard kickoff return, to the C-S 37-yard line, it took Clyde-Savannah just two plays to score. On the 2nd play of the Eagles’ opening series, quarterback Tony Drahms hit a streaking John Fasano down the left sideline with a perfect strike. Fasano easily out-raced the Raider defenders, to the end zone, for the Eagle touchdown. Fasano would then kick the extra-point and just like that, 51 seconds after the Raiders scored, the Eagles answered and had the 7 to 6 lead.

   The defense of both teams began to dominate the game from this point. Each team would have two consecutive offensive series, without picking up a 1st down. Finally, on the Raiders’ fourth possession the Raider offence appeared to have something working. Early in the 2nd quarter Cal-Mum picked up three consecutive 1st downs and moved the ball to the C-S 43-yard line. Unfortunately for Cal-Mum, the drive would end when the Eagles’ Anthony Muto recovered a Raider fumble, at the CM 49-yard line.

    The Eagles made the Raiders pay for the fumble. Facing a 2nd down and 20 situation, after the Eagles were penalized twice for 5-yards, Tony Drahms hooked up with John Fasano for a 16-yard completion. Drahms would come right back on the next play and pass 8 more yards to Tyler Munson, for an Eagle 1st down, down to the CM 35-yard line. Three short runs by Rodrigo Morales were sandwiched around a 17-yard run by Tyler Munson, as the Eagles moved to the Raider 10-yard line. Three plays later, Rodrigo Morales would score for Clyde-Savannah on a 2-yard run. John Fasano would tack on the extra-point and the Eagles’ lead grew to 14 to 6, with only 3:07 remaining before halftime.

   The Raiders were on their heels but Madison Suhr would give the Raiders some and a momentum change before halftime when he returned the Clyde-Savannah kickoff 20-yards to the CM 47-yard line. Moving slowly down the field, ever conscious of the time clock, the Raiders made it to the C-S 25-yard line, with under a minute to play, before halftime. Following a Raider 5-yard penalty, Mike Anderson threw the ball down field to well-covered Ryan Callan, along the Raider sideline. Callan would out jump the Clyde-Savannah defender, catching the Anderson pass, at the C-S 12-yard line and then turn and run the ball to the C-S 6-yard line before finally being tackled. Jon Cappotelli, on the next play, would then carry the ball to the 1-yard line. Coach Monacelli called timeout with 3 seconds remaining on the clock, before halftime. Coach Monacelli called for a quarterback sneak play and Mike Anderson, on a second effort, managed to just get the ball over the end line, as the time clock expired in the 1st half. Anderson would pass to Madison Suhr with the important Raider 2-point conversion and the teams went to the locker room all knotted up, at 14 apiece.

   The Raiders received the 2nd half kickoff. Madison Suhr’s 29-yard return set the Raider offense up at the CM 49-yard line. The Raider offense series would become the "Jon Cappotelli Show" as Cappotelli would run 9 consecutive plays. Cappotelli’s final effort left the ball at the C-S 20-yard line. A 4-yard pass from Mike Anderson to Trevor Haut moved the ball down to the C-S 16-yard line. On 4th down and 8 yards to go, Coach Mike Monacelli elected to try a field goal. Zack Hinkson’s field goal attempt just missed, to the left.

   The Eagles would take over at their own 20-yard line, following the missed field goal. On the 2nd play of the drive, John Fasano broke off a long 32-yard run, to the C-S 47-yard line. On the next four plays the Eagles managed to move the ball down to the CM 35-yard line. A 15-yard run by John Fasano and a 12-yard pass completion from Tony Drahms to Rodrigo Morales had the Eagles at the CM 8-yard line. Facing a 4th down and 3-yards to go Coach Nick Dercola elected to run the ball. John Fasano sweep play to the right was finally stopped when he was finally pushed out of bounds at the CM 3-yard line, but not before the 5-yard run had given Clyde-Savannah a 1st and goal. The Raider defense had it’s back to the end zone but the football gods were smiling on the Raiders, when on the next play, Trevor Haut jumped on a Clyde-Savannah fumble in the Eagles backfield ending the Clyde-Savannah threat and giving the Raiders possession at the CM 5-yard line. The Raiders had dodged a huge bullet.

   The Raider offense would the put together another long, time-consuming drive. The key play to this drive was a Ben Anastasi 22-yard run, which would move the Raider out of the shadow of their own goal posts, all the way out to the CM 39-yard line. The Raiders would eventually move into Eagle territory at the C-S 49-yard line. A botched pass attempt would loose 11-yards and the Raiders were finally forced to punt from the CM 40-yard line.

   There was only 5:53 remaining in the game and this was to be only the Eagles’ second possession of the 2nd half. The previous three long drives, two by Cal-Mum and one by Clyde-Savannah had taken all of 18:07 off the clock. The Raiders defense again played well and would surrender little to the Eagles offense. Following an opening series 21-yard run by Rodrigo Morales, the Raiders then shut down the Eagles offense on the next three plays, forcing a Clyde-Savannah punt.

   Time was getting short, at 3:43 left in the game, when Madison Suhr open the Raiders offensive series with an 11-yard run to the CM 42-yard line. The momentum swing was short lived though as a 5-yard penalty and a stiff Eagle defense would force a 4th down punt, when Jon Cappotelli’s 3rd down run came up 5-yard short of the 1st down marker. The Raiders punted the ball back to the Eagles.

   Zack Hinkson’s 27-yard punt pinned the Eagles down at the C-S 28-yard line and with only 1:18 left in the game. A short 2-yard pass was followed by a fumble recovery by the Eagles, for a loss. The two sloppy plays forced Coach Dercola hold the ball and stop runing offensive plays as the time ticked off. Calling time out with only seconds remaining, Tony Drahms’ final play pass attempt was picked off by Raiders’ Nikko Fenderson and he returned the interception 32-yards before he was tackled at the C-S 18-yard line, as time ran out on the game clock, forcing overtime.

   The Eagles would take the ball first, at the 20-yard line. The Raider defense rose to the occasion when on the 1st play, they dropped John Fagano for a 1-yard loss. Then on the Eagles’ second play, Ben Anastasi broke through the Eagles line and dropped Rodrigo Morales for a big 8-yard loss. Facing a 3rd down and 19-yards to go for the 1st down at the 29-yard line, a Tony Drahams’ pass fell incomplete. It was now 4th down and the game was on the line for the Eagles. Draham’s toss into the end zone found an Eagle running wide open. Unfortunately for the Eagles, the receiver had to look down for a second to make sure that his feet were still in bounds. This movement caused the receiver to take his eyes off the ball, and as a result, the ball would bounce off the receiver’s hands, incomplete. This was the second time the Raiders had dodged a potential disaster.

   The Raiders were then given their opportunity to end the game, starting at the 20-yard line. On the Raiders’ 1st down, a Mike Anderson pass was incomplete. Coach Monacelli went back to "Mr. Reliable" as Jon Cappotelli picked up 8 yards on his next two carries. Looking at a 4th down and 2-yards to go, enter Zack Hinkson. Hinkson’s climatic 30-yard field goal won the game and moved Cal-Mum to the Class DD Championship game, against the Avon Braves.

   In addition to Jon Cappotelli’s big game rushing, Raider quarterback Mike Anderson completed 7 of his 9 passing attempts good for 41 yards. Receiver Madison Suhr had 4 receptions for 20 yards. John Fasano led Clyde-Savannah on offense with 73 yards rushing in 7 carries. Eagles’ quarterback Tony Drahms had a 9 for 17 passing game, good for 115 yards. Wide receiver, John Fasano had 4 catches for 75 yards, Tyler Munson also had 4 receptions, for 28 yards.

   Defensively, John Kemnitz led the Raiders with 12 tackles, Trevor Haut followed with 10 tackles. Tyler Munson was the leading tackler for the Eagles with 19, Collin Craft and Tony Drahms contributed 11 and 10 tackles respectively.

   The Raiders return to Marina Auto (Paetec Park) Stadium this Thursday evening for the Class DD Championship game against the Avon Braves. The Raiders will be looking to avenge an earlier season loss to the Braves. Game time will be 8:30 p.m. Come out and support your Cal-Mum Red Raiders! Go Raiders!

Scoring Summary

Raiders over O-A in a thriller, 30 – 28
Cappotelli’s 32 caries lead the way

   The exciting Sectional quarterfinal game that was held at the Hamilton Sports Complex on a chilly fall evening was befitting of a contest between a 4th and 5th seeded teams. It was obvious by the surprise onside opening kick-off by the Oakfield-Alabama Hornets that the visitors from the Genesee Region League were not content to be just playing in this game, they came to win the game. For the most part, the opposing defenses struggled to keep the others team’s offense from scoring. The game was a nail bitter throughout and the outcome was only certain when the Raiders forged their final 1st down of the night with only a minute to play.

   It was a slug it out on offense, kind of night with a combined 31, 1st downs recorded. The Raiders held a slight rushing advantage with a 234-yard to 203-yards margin and also an overall 309 to 256 total yardage advantage. The game was played so closely, that difference in yardage was negligible until the final Raider drive, which closed out the ball game.

   Oakfield-Alabama won the coin toss and elected to kickoff. O-A’s Head Coach Brian Palone’s squad opened the game with an on side kick. The surprise play worked to perfection as the Hornets recovered the ball, after it had been touched by a Cal-Mum player, at the O-A 49-yard line. Running the confusing winged-T offense, the Hornets began ripping off 6 and 7 yards a play on the opening series. Behind the running of Matt Osmancickli and Jason Stanley, O-A moved to the CM 24-yard line. O-A quarterback Tyler Tamblin would then find wide receiver Brent Crawford open for a 16-yard pass completion, down to the Raider 8-yard line. Two plays later, Matt Osmancickli crashed into the end zone from 1-yard out. John Fisher’s extra-point kick was good and the Hornets had jumped out to an early 7 to 0 lead, with 7:14 remaining in the 1st quarter.

   Cal-Mum would answer the O-A score on their first offensive series. Madison Suhr gave the Raiders excellent field position when he returned the O-A kickoff 39-yards, to the CM 44-yard line. The Raiders would take their turn as they would pound the ball against the Hornet defensive front. Alternating running plays between Jon Cappotelli and Trevor Haut, the Raiders moved the ball to the O-A 47-yard line. Two plays later, Mike Anderson would hook up with Madison Suhr on a 30-yard pass completion, down to the O-A 20-yard line. Five plays later, from the O-A 1-yard line, Trevor Haut would penetrate the Hornet line and extend the ball over the end line, for the Raider score. The two-point running attempt was no good as the Hornets still held the lead, at 7 to 6.

   Oakfield-Alabama’s second possession looked to be a carbon copy of their first. Beginning at the O-A 30-yard line, a Matt Osmancickli and then a Jason Stanley run would produce 1st downs, to the CM 46-yard line. O-A Running back Joe Natailzia would then get into the Hornet rushing attack with two runs of 7 and a 13-yards, moving the ball deep into Raider territory at the CM 26-yard line. Osmancickli and Stanley would carry the offensive load the rest of the way for the Hornets. Matt Osmancickli’s 9-yard run to the end zone with 2:05 gone in the 2nd quarter put O-A on top 13 to 6 but the Hornets’ extra-point attempt was no good.

   Ben Anastasi return the O-A’s ensuing kickoff 21-yards to the CM 46-yard line. The Raider offense was then shouldered by Jon Cappotelli, as he carried 5 of the first 6 plays of the drive. His efforts brought the Raiders to the O-A 29-yard line. Mike Anderson would again hook up with Madison Suhr for a 16-yard pass and catch, down to the O-A 13-yard line. Hard running by Cappotelli would moved the ball to the O-A 5-yard line, where two plays later, Trevor Haut forced his way into the end zone for the 2nd time on the night. Jon Cappotelli’s 2-point conversion run would give the Raiders their first lead of the night at 14 to 13, with 5:40 remaining before halftime.

   Matt Osmancickli’s kick off return, following Haut’s score, set up the Hornets’ offense at the O-A 36-yard line. The Raider defense finally began to slow down the O-A offense and when Tyler Tamblin’s pass to Matt Osmancickli picked up only 1-yard on a 4th and 9, the Hornets were finally forced to punt.

   Jon Fishers 50-yard punt went into the Raider end zone for the touchback, giving the Raiders possession at the CM 20-yard line. The O-A defense returned the favor and stopped the Raiders’ 3rd down and 5 to go attempt, when Mike Anderson’s pass attempt fell incomplete, forcing the Raider punt with under a minute to go, before halftime. With the ball at the CM 30-yard line, the long snap back to Raider kicker Zack Hinkson went over his head and was heading for the end zone. Hinkson quickly turned and ran after the loose ball and managed to kick the ball out of the end zone before a Hornet player could jump on the ball avoiding a Hornet touchdown. Hinkson’s quick thinking may have ultimately save the game for the Raiders. Though the Hornets would get the 2-points for the safety, the 6 or possibly 7 points they would have gotten with a recovery in the end zone would have been much more difficulty to swallow.

   The Raiders were forced to punt following the safety but the Hornets had only 45 seconds before halftime. Dan Whiteside’s quarterback sack of Tyler Tamblin was crucial as the Hornets were then forced to throw the ball. Tamblin’s final two throws of the half were incomplete and the Hornets punted the ball back to Cal-Mum with only seconds remaining on the clock. Oakfield-Alabama headed to their halftime locker room holing a slim 15 to 14 advantage.

   By halftime it became evident that the last team holding the ball would probably win this game. Neither defense had significantly slowed the opponent’s offense. Though there were a only few big yardage plays, each offense was moving the ball with great success against the other team’s defense with short runs up the middle. The long, time consuming drives would insure that each team had to take advantage of the limited opportunities that would come in the 2nd half.

   O-A’s offense took the field first after receiving the 2nd half kickoff. Starting at the O-A 37-yard line, the Hornets again attacked the Raiders defensive front. Matt Osmancickli and Tyler Tamblin open the series with two 9-yard runs. Jason Stanley’s number was call the next three plays, the last run was a 27-yarder, down to the CM 7-yard line. Tyler Tamblin’s 4-yard pass would then find Jason Stanley in the end zone for the Hornet touchdown. The Hornet extra-point attempt was no go and with 7:44 remaining in the 3rd quarter the Oakfield-Alabam extended it’s lead to 21 to 14.

   The Raiders were given a long field to navigate on their first drive of the 2nd half as O-A’s kicker, Jon Fisher’s offering went into the Raider end zone, for a touchback. The Raider offense had been on the sideline for some time and it needed to score to keep pace with the Hornets. Several runs by Jon Cappotelli and Trevor Haut picked up three consecutive 1st downs and moved the ball up field, to the CM 45-yard line. Jon Cappotelli would then break a couple of tackles and make a big 24-yard run down to the O-A 21-yard line. From there, the Raiders alternated running backs, running first Trevor Haut and then Jon Cappotelli. The cycle continued three times, until Jon Cappotelli burst into the end zone from 5-yards out, for the Raider touchdown. Mike Anderson would hook up with Madison Suhr, who made a nice catch in the end zone for the 2-point conversion, giving the Raiders the lead once again, at 22 to 21. The 6:09 drive had just about run out the clock in the 3rd quarter.

   Oakfield-Alabama’s offense would be given good field position as Matt Osmancickli’s 17-yard kickoff return had the Hornets’ at the O-A 34-yard line. This would prove to be the most crucial series of the game. O-A picked up 9-yards on the first two plays, on runs by Jason Stanley and Matt Osmancickli. Osmancickli would be stopped for no gain on a 3rd down rushing attempt. The Hornets gambled on 4th down and short on their own 43-yard line. Jason Stanley was met at the line by a host of Raider defenders. The Raiders had stopped the Hornet drive but it was not confirmed until the measurement showed that the Hornets had come up only about an inch short.

   The Raider offense made the Hornets’ pay dearly for not making the 1st down. Trevor Haut’s 4-yard run moved the ball to the O-A 40-yard line. Three runs by Jon Cappotelli picked up 8-yards to the O-A 32-yard line. Mike Anderson 7-yard pass to Madison Suhr moved the ball to the O-A 25-yard line. Cappotelli’s number was called three more times as the Raiders moved the ball to the O-A 19-yard line. Quarterback Mike Anderson would finish off the Raider drive when he would find Dan Whiteside in the end zone with a 19-yard touchdown pass. Jon Cappotelli’s 2-point conversion run gave the Raiders some breathing room as Cal-Mum held a 30 to 21 advantage with 6:21 remaining in the game.

   The Hornets refused to give up. Starting at the O-A 42-yard line the Hornets quickly moved into scoring position when on the 1st offensive play quarterback Tyler Tamblin pass found Brent Crawford for a 24-yard gain, down to the Raider 34-yard line. Matt Osmancickli picked up 5-yards on the next O-A carry. A Hornet pass attempt again stung the Raiders when Cal-Mum was called for a face guarding penalty on the next play. The 15-yard penalty put the ball at the CM 14-yard line. Tamblin would then pick up 7-yards down to the CM 8-yard line. Two runs by Jason Stanley got the ball down to the CM 1-yard line where Matt Osmancickli would take the ball into the end zone, for the TD. Jon Fisher’s extra-point kick pulled the Hornets to within 2-points, at Cal-Mum 30, Oakfield-Alabama 28.

   Marshall Oberer’s 7-yard kickoff return had set the ball at the CM 31-yard line. The Raider faces 4:04 remaining in the game and it was crucial that they not give the ball back to the Hornets. A 10-yard run by Ben Anastasi on the 2nd play of the drive gave the Raiders a 1st down at the CM-45-yard line. Two plays later, the Raiders were looking at a 3rd down and 10 situation and the chance that Cal-Mum would have to give the ball back to O-A was a real possibility. The Hornet defense was set for the expect pass play but the Raider coaching staff crossed them up when Trevor Haut’s 21-yard counter play run up the middle stunned the Hornets. The ball was now at the O-A 37-yard line and the Raiders would finally seal the victory when Trevor Haut’s 3-yard, 3rd down run picked up the 1st down with under a minute to play. The Raider took a final knee to end the exciting 30 to 28 victory over Oakfield-Alabama.

   Hats off the Coach Brian Palone and the Oakfield-Alabama Hornets. The Hornets have endured a rare tough season but the team has shown significant improvement over the past three weeks. They came to Hamilton Sports Complex, played tough and certainly earned the respect of the Raiders.

   The Raiders were led by Jon Cappotelli’s 145 rushing yards. Trevor Haut gained 70 tough yards in 17 carries. Ben Anastasi contributed 19-yards in 4 carries. Quarterback, Mike Anderson was good on 5 of 9 passing attempts good for 75-yards and one touchdown. Madison Suhr had three catches for 26-yards. For Oakfield-Alabama, Matt Osmancickli led the Hornets with 97-yards in 18 carries. Jason Stanley also had a solid game with 74-yard in 14 carries. Tyler Tamblin completed 5 of his 6 pass attempts, good for 53-yards. Brent Crawford caught 3 of Tamblin’s tosses for 48-yards.

   On the defensive side of the ball, Ryan Callan had his best game of the season with 19 tackles, 5 of them solo. The always steady, Jon Kemnitz collected 16 tackles. Jeremy Crawford had 17 tackles for O-A while Tyler Tamblin chipped in 11 more tackles for the Hornets.

   The Raiders move on to the Class DD semifinal round where their next opponent will be the Clyde-Savannah Eagles, this coming Saturday. The game time will be at 11:00 a.m. at the Marina Auto Stadium (formerly Paetec Park). The top seeded Eagles are a quality team and will be a tough opponent to defeat. Hopefully the Raiders will have the services of Tyler Lauffer who has been sideline the past two weeks with a concussion. It’s time for the Raider Nation to get excited, it’s playoff time and the Raiders are in the mix! Go Raiders!

Scoring Summary

Finally! Cal-Mum 14, LeRoy 0
Five years of frustration finally come to an end

   As I stood on the sideline following the LeRoy game, I had to ask myself, how many times in the past 5 years that these two teams have met, did the Raiders leave the field wondering, how did we manage to lose. Let me try to give you some depth to my question. First off, to lose, after holding an early 14 to 0 lead in last year’s game. Second, to a LeRoy winning TD pass with 55 seconds left in the game, in 2006. Third, to a last minute defeat on a reverse play in Irondequoit during the 2005 Sectional playoff game and finally to a LeRoy goal line stand that deprived the Raiders of a win in 2004. Close game after close game had slipped through the Raiders fingers. Those frustrations were all swept away this past Friday night at Hamilton Sports Complex. On Friday night, the Raiders finally stamped themselves as King of the Hill in 2009. Finally, Cal-Mum wins. "The Football" is coming back home again, to Caledonia-Mumford

   Jon Cappotelli was the workhorse on the night for the Raider offense. Cappotelli carried the ball 24 times, good for 102 rushing yards. Quarterback Mike Anderson also hooked-up with Cappotelli on a 39-yard pass play. Capp was forced to carry a great load of the Raider offense because running mate Tyler Lauffer was missing from the Raider lineup, due to an injury.

   The game, which started in constant drizzle, eventually developed into a steady rain. The weather conditions were a factor, especially for LeRoy. The usually reliable LeRoy offense lost possession of the ball on 3 of their first 5 possessions, via the fumble.

   The Raiders received the opening kickoff and initially struggled on offense. An incomplete pass followed two short runs by the Raider. The Raiders were forced to punt. Zack Hinkson’s 33–yard punt gave the Oatkan Knights possession on the LR 35-yard line. LeRoy had some early success running the ball relying on Quentin Humphrey’s running on their first four offensive plays. LeRoy’s quarterback Mark Kelso’s 11-yard pass to fullback Jon Casper would move the Knights into Raider territory at the CM 42-yard line. The Raiders would then halt the LeRoy drive on 3rd down when Jon Cappotelli recovered a Knight’s fumble at the CM 36-yard line.

   The Raider offense looked much better on the 2nd offensive series. The Raiders opened with a 39-yard pass completion from Mike Anderson to Jon Cappotelli, moving the ball all the way down to the LeRoy 27-yard line. Cappotelli’s number was called four more times in a row, as his hard running moved the ball down to the LR 5-yard line. Unfortunately the drive fizzled when on 3rd down from the 1-yard line; Jon Cappotelli was dropped for a 2-yard loss. A 4th down pass attempt was incomplete, turning the back over to LeRoy at the Knights’ 3-yard line.

   The Knights with their backs to their goal line moved the ball to the LR 9-yard line. LeRoy then they hurt themselves when a pitch toss was mishandled and loss yardage, all the way back to the LR 1-yard line forcing a punt. Quentin Humphrey was forced to punt from the LeRoy end zone. Madison Suhr received the punt and returned the punt 15-yards, to the LR 20-yard line.

   Cal-Mum looked to be struggling again on offense when on 4th down at the LeRoy 18-yard line, a Mike Anderson pass was caught by Madison Suhr, all the way down to the LeRoy 3-yard line. One play later, Trevor Haut bulled his way into the end zone for the Raider touchdown. On the 2-point conversion attempt, Jon Cappotelli was hit behind the line of scrimmage and through his determined running, he carried several LeRoy players over the end line for an 8 to 0 Raider lead with 10:47 remaining before halftime.

   LeRoy’ Anthony Macaluso returned the ensuing kickoff to the LR 24-yard line. Using primarily the running of Rick Henry, the Oatkan Knights went on a long, 11-play drive. Two runs of 11 and 7-yards at the end of the drive by Quentin Humphrey moved the ball deep into Raider territory, at the CM 10-yard line. The Oatkan Knights would then call upon their bruising fullback, Jon Casper, to get the tough yards. Casper popped through the line and was headed for a certain score. Casper was met at the 1-yard line by Raider Mike Anderson, whose hit spun Casper’s back to the goal line, Jon Cappotelli then gave Casper a jolting hit which dislodged the ball. Jon Kemnitz would fall on the loose ball, in the end zone for a touchback, ending the LeRoy threat.

   The Raider offense was back on the field and would go on a 10-play drive. All three backs contributed to the drive effort. Trevor Haut’s 10-yard run started the drive and Ben Anastasi would tack on a 10-yard hard running effort. Jon Cappotelli’s 25-yard sprint to the left side would move the ball to the LR 35-yard line. A second 10-yard run by Anastasi, moved the ball even deeper into Knight territory down to the LR 25-yard line. An illegal procedure penalty would then contribute to the end of the drive as the Raiders came up short when on 4th and 5 a Raider pass fell incomplete, turning the ball over to the Knights at the LR 20-yard line.

   LeRoy could do little with their last series of the 1st half, eventually punting the ball back to Cal-Mum with 40 seconds left on the clock. The Raiders mixed two runs around a pass play before the clock expired with the ball at the CM 48-yard line.

   LeRoy received the 2nd half kickoff and Quentin Humphrey’s return gave the Oatkan Knights good field position at the LR 37-yard line. LeRoy’s offense looked like they were in sync as they quickly picked up two 1st downs, the first by way of a Cal-Mum penalty. The wheels would fall off this drive when the ball slipped out of the LeRoy ball carrier’s hands and dropped to the ground on a 1st down carry. Trevor Haut would fall on the loose ball, at the CM 38-yard line.

   On the Raider initial possession of the 2nd half, the offense would produce their best drive of the night. Playing smash-mouth football, the Raiders went on a 14-play drive. Trevor Haut and Jon Cappotelli shared the majority of the carries on the drive. Haut’s pick up of a 1st down against a stacked LeRoy line on a 4th down and 1 from the LR 5-yard line was critical to the drive. Jon Cappotelli would take the ball the final 4-yards on the next play on a pitch sweep to the left, powering his way into the LeRoy end zone. A pass attempt on the 2-point conversion attempt failed but the Cal-Mum advantage grown to 14 to 0 with 2:10 remaining in the 3rd quarter.

   The remainder of the contest belonged to the defenses, as ball possession would go back and forth. Each team going four plays and out. Neither the Knights nor the Raiders were able to do much offensively in the final quarter. LeRoy was victimized by a couple of bad pitches, which lost yardage, ending drives and Cal-Mum’s nemesis were the penalties, which came in, bunches in the final quarter.

   The last ditch effort by Knights to score came to an end as Ryan Callan intercepted the LeRoy pass at midfield and returned it to the LR 40-yard line. The Raiders took a knee to finish off the final 7 seconds of the game and secure a 14 to 0 victory over rival LeRoy.

   In addition to Jon Cappotelli’s 102-yard effort, Trevor Haut contributed 63-yards in 13 carries and Ben Anastasi, filling in for Tyler Lauffer, gained 29 tough yards in 7 carries. Rick Henry was the leading rusher for the Knights with 52-yards in 11 carries. Jon Kemnitz led the Raiders’ defense with 17 tackles and Kyle Sickles had 11 stops. Mark Kelso was the leading tackler for LeRoy with 11 tackles.

   The victory over LeRoy secured the home field advantage for the opening round of the Section V Class DD quarterfinal game. The Raiders’ opponent in the contest will be the Oakfield-Alabama Hornets. Game time is set for this coming Friday evening at 7:30 p.m. at Hamilton Sports Complex. The game will mark the final home game for the seven Seniors on the football team. Come out Friday night and cheer for the 2009 Raiders. It’s playoff time; it’s Raider time. Go Raiders!

Scoring Summary

Avon smokes the Raiders 36 to 8
1st half blitz stuns Cal-Mum

   To quote the venerable Yogi Berra, "It’s like deja-vu, all over again." The last time that the Raiders and the Braves tangled, it was in the 2008 Section V Class DD semi-finals. That game saw the Braves sprint out to a 27 to 6 halftime lead that the Raiders could not come back from. This year’s contest was eerily similar if not even more one sided with a 29 to 0 Avon halftime advantage. The Braves managed to score on their first four possessions of the game and almost added another touchdown just before halftime. The Raiders contributed to the lopsided score by failing to register even one 1st down for the first half. This startling statistic came from a team that had averaged 300-yards rushing in the previous four games.

    Cal-Mum received the opening kickoff and was stopped, when on a 3rd down and 13 yards to go, Tyler Lauffer’s 10-yard run came up short of 1st down marker. Zack Hinkson’s 28-yard punt gave Avon good field position at the CM 49-yard line. The Raiders looked to have the Braves drive stopped but were penalized with a facemask penalty on the 3rd down play, giving Avon a 3rd and 1 to go. Quarterback James Stanton picked up the 1st down on a 14-yard run, which moved the ball to the CM 26-yard line. Stanton would hook-up with Garrett Kesel on the next play, an 8-yard pass play, to the CM 18-yard line. A 10-yard holding penalty did little to slow the Braves when 3 plays later, Stanton would hit Garrett Kesel with a 30-yard touchdown pass. Kesel would kick the extra-point for a 7 to 0 Braves lead, with 5:06 remaining in the 1st quarter.

   The Raiders would once again come up short on the next series as Jon Cappotelli’s 3rd down run was a yard short. Zack Hinkson’s 31-yard punt would give the Braves their next drive start, at the Avon 32-yard line. Things began to spiral out of control for Cal-Mum when on the next play Rick Welch took the ball to the house on a 67-yard run. One minute and 35 seconds after Avon’s first touchdown, the Braves were on the board again. Garrett Kesel’s extra-point attempt was good and Avon was up 14 to 0.

   The Raiders were in a hole and they did little to help themselves when they again failed to register a 1st down, quickly giving possession back to the red-hot Avon offense. If those in attendance had not yet suspected that it was going to be Avon’s night, the next play would most certainly put that thought in their minds. The 3rd Avon possession started on the Avon 43-yard line. On the first play from scrimmage, Avon quarterback James Stanton lofted the ball downfield to a well-covered Garrett Kesel. Kesel with a Raider defender draped on his back, jumped up and made a jaw-dropping one-handed catch at the Raiders’ 29-yard line. DJ Welch would help keep the Braves’ drive alive later on with a 2-yard pick-up on a critical 4th down and 1 yard to go, at the Cal-Mum 14-yard line. Stanton and Kesel would finish off the Braves drive on the next play when the two connected for a second TD pass. After Dylan Dipasquale passed to Pat Hayes in the end zone for a 2-point conversion, Avon had blown the game wide open, 22 to 0. The Braves had put 22 points on the board in just under six minutes.

   Cal-Mum was reeling and still could not keep it’s offense on the field when Jon Cappotelli’s 3rd down and 1, rush was stuffed at the line, for no gain. Hinkson was again called upon to punt. Avon’s 4th offensive series was a bit of a contrast to the Braves’ previous quick strikes. The Braves used an 11-play drive to add to the score. Key to the drive was a 35-yard run by James Stanton, moving Avon down to the Raiders 2-yard line. DJ Welch would take the ball the final 2-yards for the Avon TD. Kesel added the extra-point for a 29 to 0 Braves’ advantage.

   If the Raiders thought that it could not get any worse, they were so wrong. Two plays into the next offensive series the Raiders fumbling the ball on the Cal-Mum 45-yard line, this on a play when it looked like the Raiders had finally picked up a 1st down. The Raider defense who had been on it’s heels for most of the half were fortunately able to stop this Avon drive, forcing the Braves to punt from the Avon 46-yard line. Then with only 30 seconds remaining in the shocking 1st half, drama occurred again when the Cal-Mum punt returner was accidentally hit by the Avon punt as he was trying to get out of the way. Avon’s Brandon Fuentes fell on the live ball at the Raiders 8-yard line. Mercifully, with only 20 seconds remaining in the half, the Braves failed to score, when a second incomplete pass, was beyond the end zone, ending the 1st half.

   By halftime, I guess you could say, if it could go wrong for Cal-Mum, it went wrong and if it could go right for Avon, it for the most part, went very right. It has been many, many years that Cal-Mum has surrendered 29 unanswered 1st half points and to add depth to the situation, the Raiders failed to register a 1st down. The only thing left for Cal-Mum to do was to come out in the 2nd half and play hard and not give up.

   Avon received the 2nd half kickoff and returned it to the Avon 31-yard line. James Stanton would again burn the Raider defense when he ran for 55-yards, down to the CM 8-yard line. The Raider defense finally rose to the occasion and held the Braves to a field goal attempt. Fortunate for Cal-Mum, Garrett Kesel’s kick sailed wide left, denying the Braves a score.

   The Raiders’ offense finally came alive in their 1st series of the 2nd half. Trevor Haut’s 10-yard run and Jon Cappotelli’s 15-yard run help move the ball from the shadow of the Raider’s goal posts, to the CM 39-yard line. The Raider drive would finally stall at the Avon 42-yard line when Trevor Haut’s 3rd down run came up a couple of yards short. Zack Hinkson’s punt pinned the Braves deep in their own territory, at the Avon 8-yard line.

   In probably the only break of the game for the Raiders, Jon Cappotelli intercepted a James Stanton’s pass, on the Braves 1st play of the drive. Cappotelli caught the ball at the Avon 22-yard line and returned it to the Avon 5-yard line. The Raiders would finally get on the board when on the 2nd play of the drive, quarterback Mike Anderson rolled out to his left. Anderson faked the run, drawing the defensive back to commit to the run, thereby leaving Dan Whiteside open in the end zone, for the 5-yard scoring pass. Jon Cappotelli rush up the middle for the 2-point conversion cutting the Braves lead to 29 to 8.

   The Braves responded to the Cal-Mum score with a long 6-minute, 12-play scoring drive. Using primarily the running of Rich Welch and DJ Welch, Avon moved down the field. Rich Welch capped off the drive with a 12-yard touchdown run. Garrett Kesel’s extra-point kick made the score, Avon 36, Cal-Mum 8, with 7:47 left in the game.

   Avon used up most of the remaining time on the clock on a late drive but that drive was finally stopped at the Raiders’ 13-yard line. The Raiders had last possession of the game and were on their 46-yard line when time expired on the clock.

   Avon dominated the game and the statistics. The Braves held a 386 to 114 total net yards advantage. Avon controlled possession time of the ball with 31:31 minutes while the Raiders’ used only 14:14 minutes of the clock. The Raiders were also hampered on offense after halftime when early in the second half junior running back; Tyler Lauffer was sidelined with a possible concussion.

   Offensively, Jon Cappotelli led the Raiders 77-yards in 16 attempts. Rich Welch with led the Braves 133-yards in 19 carries. James Stanton followed Welch with 120 yards in 9 carries, good for a 13.3 yards per carry average. Stanton also threw for 89-yards, as he completed 6 of his first 7 passes. Garrett Kesel had 4 receptions for 77-yards for the Braves.

   Defensively for the Raiders, Jon Kemnitz had a busy night as he recorded a game high, 21 tackles. Kyle Sickles and Trevor Haut each contributed 9 tackles. Rick Welch had 9 tackles for the Braves.

   It would obvious to say that the Raiders have match up problems with the Braves. It is also obvious that the Raiders are a better team than what they showed this past Friday night. This is the same team that battled Letchworth to the end, this is the team that averaged 32 points a game while holding their opponent to under 7 points a game. The Raiders need to put his game behind them. This one is in the books. Time to move on.

   Fact of the matter is that the Raiders have little time to dwell on the Avon game, as the LeRoy Knights are coming to town this Friday night. The Oatkan Knights are dealing with some adversity themselves this season as reflected in their 1-4 record, This after moving to Division I in the LCAA. Simply put, this Friday night it’s Cal-Mum versus LeRoy. The records mean nothing, the wins and losses go out the window. Come Friday night, it will be all out on the field. Strap up your helmets fellas, there’s more football to be played! Go Raiders

Scoring Summary

Cal-Mum wears down Geneseo 39 to 6
Geneseo hangs with the Raiders for 3 quarters

   For three-quarters of the game this past Friday night, the Geneseo Blue Devils were more than a worthy opponent for Cal-Mum on the pitch of Hamilton Field. Granted the Raiders went through the week with many players missing practice time with illness and starter Sean Ancker did not suit up for the game. It was the pesky Devils though who proved to be a worthy adversary. Geneseo played a tough, bend but don’t break defense throughout the 1st half and at the start the 2nd half. A three-touchdown outburst within 7½ minute span, starting late in the 3rd quarter eventually blew this game open for the Raiders.

   Geneseo won the coin toss and elected to receive the opening kickoff. Geneseo’s Xavier Copeland’s return gave the Devils their opening drive start at the G 19-yard line. The Devils would quickly punt the to the Raiders, as 2 runs and a pass would produced a negative one yard of offense. Wesley Smith’s punt attempt was then partially blocked by Raider Dan Whiteside, giving Cal-Mum excellent field position at the G 25-yard line. Tyler Lauffer promptly ripped off a 16-yard run on the Raiders’ first play from scrimmage. Jon Cappotelli first carry was good for 7 more yards, down to the Geneseo 2-yard line. Trevor Haut would finish the deal as he crashed into the end zone from the 2-yard line for Cal-Mum’s first points of the night. Tyler Lauffer’s sweep around end for the 2-point conversion put the Raiders on top 8 to 0.

   Geneseo’s offense continued to struggle and was again forced to punt the ball back to the Raiders after only three plays. The Raiders once again had excellent field position at the CM 48-yard line. The second Raider offense possession would be a precursor of what to expect for most of the night. The Raiders were pounding the ball at the Geneseo defense. Tyler Lauffer and Jon Cappotelli accounted for most of the carries and Trevor Haut’s number was called for short yardage pick-up. Along the way on this 14 play drive there was a fumble, which was recovered by Cal-Mum, a 13 yard loss on a bad pitch, two illegal procedure penalties and at the other end of the spectrum, a beautiful 29-yard pass play from Mike Anderson to Jon Cappotelli. At the end of the drive Cal-Mum was looking at a 4th down and goal from the 1-yard line. Tyler Lauffer’s sweep to the right was forced out of bounds inside the 1-yard line, ending the drive and giving the ball back to the ball back to the Devils at the G 1-yard line. The long 7:10 minute drive produced zero points for the Raiders.

   With the ball on their own 1-yard line, the Devils tried a swing pass in the end zone. Raider Jon Cappotelli jumped on the play as he slashed into end zone from his right side cornerback position, dropping Devil receiver Shawn Flickner for a safety. The good play by Cappotelli extended the Raider lead to 10 to 0 with just 1:04 remaining in the 1st quarter.

   The Raider would again get great field position following the safety. Madison Suhr would fair catch the Geneseo the punt at the CM 45-yard line. A 10-yard, 3rd down pass from Mike Anderson to Jon Cappotelli would move the ball to the G 45-yard line. The drive would then stall at the G 38-yard line and the Raiders were forced to punt. Geneseo ensuing drive start would be at the G 19-yard line. For the 4th time in a row, the Raider’s defense played well as the Devils failed to make a 1st down and were forced to punt the ball back to Cal-Mum.

   The Raiders would have the ball at the C 49-yard line and with 8:20 left on the clock before halftime, the Raiders went on a clock burning 10-play drive. This drive like the previous drive eventually stalled as the Raider offense would moved the ball all the way down to the G 15-yard line where a 4th down and 2 pass attempt, was incomplete.

   Geneseo had possession of the ball at the G 15-yard line, with 3:26 left on the clock. The Geneseo offense finally began to show some signs of life. Two 6-yard runs by Devil quarterback Shawn Flickner gave the Devils their initial first down of the game at the G 27-yard line. Flickner then found Taylor Semmel over the middle for an 11-yard pass and catch. Then Xavier Copeland’s 5-yard run moved the ball to the G 45-yard line and the Devils were on the move. The drive would come to a quick end on the next play when Raider safety Mike Anderson stepped in front of the Devil receiver and intercepted the Copeland pass. Anderson’s interception return went deep into Devils territory but a block in the back penalty put the Raider drive start way back at the CM 38-yard line. There were only 52 ticks on the clock before halftime as the Raider offense took to the field. Two runs by Tyler Lauffer, the second run a 21-yard effort moved the ball to the G 36-yard line. An 8-yard pass from Mike Anderson to Madison Suhr had the ball at the Geneseo 28-yard line and with time running out, Anderson’s final two pass attempts fell incomplete, ending the half with Cal-Mum holding a slim 10 to 0 advantage.

   Cal-Mum received the 2nd half kick off and during this first series, the offense sputtered. A net gain of 0-yards forced a Zack Hinkson punt. Hinkson’s 36-yard punt gave Geneseo possession at the G 36-yard line. The Raider defense returned the favor to Geneseo as they stopped the Devils cold when Kenny Fenderson came up and stopped Shawn Copeland’s sweep 1-yard short of the 1st down, forcing the Geneseo punt.

   The Raiders’ 2nd drive was more productive. Starting at the CM 34-yard line, the Raider offense finally started clicking. Three runs by Jon Cappotelli and one run each by Tyler Lauffer and Trevor Haut moved the ball to the CM 48-yard line. Quarterback Mike Anderson would then find Madison Suhr open on a look-in pattern, good for a 15-yard gain, down to the G 37-yard line. Two Cappotelli runs would produce a 1st down at the G 26-yard line. Tyler Lauffer’s 6-yard run was followed by excellent 17-yard run by Jon Cappotelli, all the way down to the G 3-yard line. Lauffer would take the ball the final 3-yards on the next play, for the Raider TD. Lauffer would then sweep right, making good the 2-point conversion try. The Raiders finally had some breathing room with the score 18 to 0 with 3:21 left in the 3rd quarter.

   The Raider appeared energized as the defense stuffed the Geneseo on the Devils’ next possession, forcing the punt. A short Geneseo punt again gave the Raider good field position at the G 45-yard line. The Raider offense continued to pick up small yardage against the still feisty Geneseo defense. The back breaker for Geneseo came on a 3rd down and 12 Raider pass play from the G 31-yard line. The Geneseo defensive back on the pass play deep down field interfered with the Raider receiver, giving the Raiders excellent field position at the G 16-yard line. The Geneseo rushing defense still gave up yards begrudgingly but the Raiders hammered away the next 4 plays. On the 5th play after the interference penalty, Tyler Lauffer swept into the right side of the end zone from 4-yard out. Zack Hinkson added the extra-point and the Raiders were in control of the game, 25 to 0.

   Things went from bad to worst for Geneseo on the ensuing kickoff when on the return the ball was fumbled. Dan Whiteside was in the right spot and fell on the loose ball at the Geneseo 25-yard line. The Raiders offense again struck quickly. Three plays after the fumble, Nikko Fenderson took the ball into the end zone, from the Geneseo 15-yard line. Hinkson’s extra-point attempt was good and with 7:56 left in the game the Raiders lead grew to 32 to 0.

   To Geneseo’s credit, they continue to play hard. Though the Devils were pretty much out of the game by this time, they came out throwing the ball, with great results. Quarterback Xavier Copeland hit Taylor Semmel with a long 49-yard pass, down to the Raider 27-yard line. Two plays later, Copeland hooked up with Semmel again for a beautiful 22-yard scoring pass. Semmel’s diving catch in the end zone was with out a doubt, the best play of the night. The touchdown cut the Raider advantage to 32 to 6.

   Geneseo was looking to score more points but when their on-side kick attempt following the touchdown came up short, it would again give Cal-Mum excellent field position at the G 39-yard line. The Raider offense was now picking up yardage in 5-yard chunks. Consecutive runs by Madison Suhr, Kenny Anderson, Nikko Fenderson and Ben Anastasi moved the ball to the Geneseo 16-yard line. Four plays later, Madison Suhr, who had previously been inserted into the lineup as quarterback, rolled out to his right and beat the Geneseo defense to the end zone, from 3-yard out, for the Raider TD. Hinkson added the extra-point and the Raiders extended their lead to 39 to 6.

   Geneseo used the remaining 1:19 to mount a drive but time would run out on the Devils and the game ended with Geneseo in possession of the ball at the Raiders’ 33-yard line.

   A sobering moment in the game for Cal-Mum took place late in the 1st half when safety Kodiak Suhr injured his shoulder in a violent collision as he was trying to prevent Shawn Flickner from making a 1st down. The game was stopped for an extended period of time before emergency personnel were able to remove Suhr from the field.

   The Raiders dominated the game statistically with an 18 to 5 first down advantage, a 75 to 31 offensive play advantage, and 331 to 156 total yards advantage. Geneseo played with a lot of heart, especially in the 1st half. Three times the Devils denied the Raiders from scoring, after long Cal-Mum drives. The Raiders finally wore the Devils down as they broke through for four consecutive scores to close out the game.

   Eight ball carriers contributed to the 244-yard rushing total for the Raiders. Tyler Lauffer was leading ground gainer with 82 yards in 24 carries. John Cappotelli added 76-yards in 14 carries. Mike Anderson had a nice game with 87 yard passing on a 7 for 14 night.

   Jon Cappotelli had two of those receptions for 39 yards and Madison Suhr also had two receptions for 23-yards. Geneseo was led in rushing by Xavier Copeland with 38-yards in 8 attempts. Copeland also accounted for 109-yard passing on a 5 for 14 attempts. Taylor Semmel played well at wide receiver as he had 4 receptions for 93 yards.

   Defensively for the Raiders, Kenny Fenderson was the leading tackler with 8 tackles, 6 of them solo. For Geneseo, Rob Oswald was the leading tackler with 15 while Joe Frost and Xavier Copeland contributed 13 and 10 tackles respectively.

   The Raiders will be hosting the Avon Braves this coming Friday evening at Hamilton Field. The game has Sectional seeding implications as the Raiders presently trail Avon by one point for the number two seeding spot in Class DD. The game promises to be exciting as both these teams enter the contest with 3 - 1 records. Go Raiders!

Scoring Summary

Raiders top Warsaw 47 to 7
Cal-Mum’s rushing offense looks sharp

   It took the Cal-Mum offense two offensive series to get on track but when it found its proverbial rushing feet, the Raiders were off and running. Tyler Lauffer turned on the rockets with a 181-yard rushing effort, punctuated by an 85-yard run up the middle of the Warsaw defense in the Raiders 3rd offensive series. Jon Cappotelli took his shots at the Tiger defense to the tune of 121-yards rushing. Nikko Fenderson was a terror for the Tigers on the sweeps as he contributed 77-yards to the 432-yards team-rushing total.

   Quarterback Mike Anderson played well, as his passes were all on target and crisply delivered. Anderson was at his best when he led the Raiders on a picture perfect, 2:45 minute scoring drive, to close out the 1st half. His 8-yard scoring pass to Trevor Haut with time about to expire was certainly impressive.

   Warsaw won the coin toss and deferred to the 2nd half. Raider Cody Preston returned the kickoff to the CM 38-yard line. The Raider 1st offense possession did not start off well as an illegal procedure penalty and a good defensive effort by the Tigers forced a Zack Hinkson punt. The Tigers return man could not field the punt cleanly, the punt was dropped and Raider Dan Whiteside was there to fall on the fumble, at the Warsaw 32-yard line.

   Given a second chance, the Raider offense began to roll. A Jon Cappotelli run was followed by a Tyler Lauffer run which gave the Raiders a 1st down at the Warsaw 19-yard line. Tyler Lauffer would then take the ball, curl around the right end and sprint, untouched to the right corner of the end zone for the Raiders initial score. The 2-point pass attempt was no good as the Raiders held a 6 to 0 advantage with 8:27 left in the 1st quarter.

   The Tiger offense would get its first opportunity following the Raider kickoff. Starting at the W 36-yard line. A good 12-yard run, off a well executed draw play, by Tiger David Royce gave the Tiger a 1st down inside Raider territory at the CM 48-yard line. The Tiger drive would then stall and Warsaw was forced to punt. Tiger punter Travis White’s kick sailed over towards the Tiger sideline as Tyler Lauffer’s momentum would carry him out of bounds, trying to field the kick.

   With the ball on the CM 13-yard line, the Raider offense opened its 3rd series. On 3rd down, a Tyler Lauffer’s dive play broke through the Warsaw front defensive wall. Once through the line, Lauffer sprinted up the middle of the field past the Tiger defensive backs, on his way to an 85-yard touch down run. Zack Hinkson tacked on the extra-point and the Raiders had opened a 13 to 0 lead with 3:30 remaining in the 1st quarter.

   The Tiger could not answer the Lauffer score and were forced to punt the ball back to Cal-Mum. The next drive start for the Raiders would be at the CM 24-yard line. Jon Cappotelli’s 14-yard run moved the ball to the CM 38-yard line, as the 1st quarter would come to a close.

   The Tiger defense would stiffen and force a Zack Hinkson punt from the Warsaw 45-yard line. A rare, short 13-yard punt by Hinkson set the Tiger’s offense up at their 32-yard line. Warsaw’s offense would only use one minute off the clock, as one rushing attempt was followed by two incomplete passes. Travis White’s punt would be returned but a Raider clipping penalty forced the Raiders to take possession all the way back to the CM 25-yard line.

   Jon Cappotelli would get the Raider offense rolling with an 18-yard run to the Warsaw 49-yard line. Another long run of 16 yards by Cappotelli moved the ball to the Warsaw 25-yard line. Tyler Lauffer would take the ball the final 25 yards when he swept around the right end, deeked to the inside and broke to the outside, sprinting to the right corner of the end zone. Zack Hinkson’s extra-point kick was no good and with 7:02 left before halftime, the Raiders were in command, 19 to 0.

   The situation quickly went from bad to worse for Warsaw. For the second time in the game, the Tiger return team would coughed up the ball during a return. Jon Cappotelli would jump on the loose ball, when the ball was jarred, out of the Warsaw’s return man’s hands, in a big scrum of players. The Raider offense was once again in business at the Warsaw 40-yard line. Trevor Haut picked up a first down, at the Warsaw 25-yard line, on a short blast up the middle. A beautiful Mike Anderson to Madison Suhr look-in pass was good for 15-yards, down to the Warsaw 10-yard line. Jon Cappotelli would cap the drive off with a left side sweep, beating the Warsaw defense to the corner of the end zone. With 4:55 remaining in the half, Hinkson would again add the extra-point, pushing the score to Raiders 27, Tigers 0.

   The Tigers’ offense did not have an answer, as the Raider defense again would force Warsaw into a three and out series. Cal-Mum took over possession at the CM 30-yard line with 2:45 left on the clock before halftime. Raider Offensive Coordinator, Chris Cappotelli, directed to Raider offense unit on a perfectly timed, end of a half drive. Cal-Mum moved the ball down the field. A 22-yard pass into the left flat to Trevor Haut from Mike Anderson, moved the ball into Tiger territory. Two rushes by Tyler Lauffer, a 12 and an 8-yard effort put the ball on the Warsaw 8-yard line with time running down. Mike Anderson would again hookup with Trevor Haut. Haut took the Anderson pass in the left flat and beat the Warsaw defenders to the end zone with only three ticks left on the clock before halftime. Zack Hinkson came in and booted the extra-point as the Raiders went to the locker room, on top, 33 to 0.

   The Raiders came out in the 2nd half and continued to be impressive. Holding the Warsaw offense to a 3 and out series, the Raiders took over the ball at the CM 29-yard line. Coach Monacelli began inserting backup players during the opening series of the 2nd half. Nikko Fenderson showed some great speed during the drive, once getting to the outside and sprinting up the Raider sideline for a big 27-yard gain. Jon Cappotelli would end the 10-play, 4 ½ minute drive with a 4-yard run off the right guard for the TD. Hinkson again split the uprights, giving the Raiders a 40 to 0 lead with 5:19 remaining in the 3rd quarter.

   The Warsaw offense continued to struggle and again could not make a 1st down, punting the ball back to the Raiders. Starting at the CM 33-yard line, The Raiders would go on another long drive. Chewing up time on the clock, Cal-Mum remained exclusively on the ground. Big plays on the drive included a 22-yard run by Nikko Fenderson and a 13-yard run by his brother, Kenny Fenderson. Ben Anastasi was also called upon, to pickup the tough yards in the drive. Madison Suhr would finish off the drive as he backed in over the goal line from the Warsaw 1-yard line. Hinkson’s kick would put the final Raider points on the board with 9:43 left in the contest.

   With the Raider 2nd team player dominating the lineup, Warsaw put together a nice 13-play, 70-yard drive to close out the game. When Josh Woika caught the 2-yard touch down pass from Tyler Boise, followed by Dakota Stackhouse’s extra-point with 1:01 left on the clock. The only thing left for Cal-Mum was to take two knees and finish out the game and a 47 to 7 victory.

   Jon Kemnitz had a superb game on defense for Cal-Mum. Jon finished the night with 16 tackles. Ben Anistasi, Ryan Callan and Sean Acher each contributed 6 tackles. David Royce led Warsaw with 13 tackles follow closely by David Tozier and Tom McFadden with 11 tackles apiece.

   This coming Friday evening the Raiders host the Geneseo Blue Devils at Hamilton Field. The game time is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. The Raiders hope to perform well as they will be looking to pick up some momentum going into the Avon game on October 2nd. Go Raiders!

Scoring Summary

Letchworth tops Raiders 7-3
Raider late game heroics fall short

    As has been the recent history between these two schools, when Cal-Mum and Letchworth meet, expect a hard-hitting, low scoring affair. Friday night’s meeting again proved that history correct. The Raider and Indian defenses’ both controlled their opponent’s offense. The game developed into a chess match for field position, waiting for the other team to make a mistake. Unfortunately, Letchworth made one but Cal-Mum made two. All three mistakes either ended in scores or stopped a scoring drive.

   If you liked hard hitting, defensive football, Friday night at Letchworth was made for you. With only one run from scrimmage over 15-yards long, most plays were of the 3 to 5-yard variety. Both defenses really got after the other team’s offense. The Raider offense averaged a paltry 2.9-yard per rushing attempt. Letchworth was slightly better with a 3.5-yard average per run but if you take out a 22-yard carry by Chris Nevinger, the only long run of the night, the rushing for the Indians was equally as difficult at 2.8-yard per carry. The Raider offense which was forced to pass late in the contest was effective as Mike Anderson went 11 for 16 in the passing department, with mostly short passes to the outsides, trying to open up the Indian’s defense. To put it simply, it was a typical Letchworth versus Cal-Mum football game, smash mouth!

   Cal-Mum opened with possession on their 20-yard line as Letchworth’s Ryan Owens opening kickoff sailed into the end zone. A Mike Anderson to Trevor Haut pass would give the Raiders an initial 1st down but the Indians defense stiffened and forced the Raider punt from the CM 39-yard line. Zack Hinkson’s punt gave the Indians their first possession at the Letchworth 35-yard line.

   Allan Bookmiller’s 9-yard run gave The Indians a quick 1st down but the drive would stall and Ryan Owens punt would pin the Raiders deep, at the CM 13-yard line.

   The Raiders could only gain 7-yards in 3-plays and were forced to punt. Zack Hinkson’s 21-yard punt gave the Indians excellent field position at the CM 41-yard line. The Indian scoring threat was quickly extinguished as Raider Ben Anastasi’s quarterback sack pushed the Indians back out of scoring range, at mid-field.

   The chess match had begun as the Owen punt would pin the Raider deep again, at the CM-14 yard line. Starting the 2nd quarter, the Raider offense began to show some signs of life. Putting together three consecutive 1st downs, the first two by way of the rush, compliments of Tyler Lauffer and Trevor Haut, and the third, an 11-yard pass from Mike Anderson to Jon Cappotelli. The Raiders moved the ball to the CM 49-yard line but the drive stalled, as the Raiders were unable to advance the ball further. Zack Hinkson’s punt would change the field in Cal-Mum’s favor, as Letchworth found themselves deep in their own territory, at the Letchworth 19-yard line.

   Cal-Mum’s defense again stiffened and forced the Indian offense into a 3 and out series. The Raiders finally had good field position, as the Indian punt would go out of bounds at the Letchworth 47-yard line. The Raider offense, back on the field after the previous 11-play drive now started an 8-play scoring drive. Key to the drive was a 9-yard Mike Anderson to Madison Suhr pass completion on 4th down. The completion moved the Raiders’ offense down to the Letchworth 16-yard line. The drive would finally stall and Coach Mike Monacelli called upon Zack Hinkson to kick a field goal. Hinkson’s 20-yard effort broke the scoreless tie, giving the Raiders a 3 to 0 advantage.

   Letchworth could not move the ball with their last possession of the 1st half as the Raider went to the locker room holding a slim 3 to 0 halftime lead.

   The Indians came out and performed well offensively to start the 2nd half. The Indians gained the upper hand in field position during their opening drive. The Indians’ offense moved the ball from the Letchworth 44-yard line down to the CM 35-yard line before being forced to punt. Letchworth’s punting team’s play was executed perfectly as Ryan Owen’s punt was finally downed at the CM 1-yard line. With their huddle in the end zone and the offensive play selection limited the Raiders’ offense did well in managing to give their punter, Zack Hinkson some room to kick on 4th down from the CM 9-yard line. Hinkson’s 30-yard punt was returned deep into Raider territory but fortunately for Cal-Mum an Indian clipping penalty on the play, sent Letchworth all the way back to the CM 49-yard line.

   Indians’ running back Chris Nevinger would finally brake off a long, 22-yard run, down to the CM 28-yard line. Raider, Jon Cappotelli, would then rescue the Cal-Mum defense by intercepting a heavily pressured Ryan Owen’s pass at the CM 12-yard line and returning it to the CM 20-yard line.

   The Cal-Mum offense would come up one-yard short on their 3rd down effort and were forced to punt. Disaster then stuck as the center snap back to punter Zack Hinkson sailed over his head and all that a heavily rushed Hinkson could do was fall on the ball, at the Raiders’ 9-yard line. The Raider defense was tough during the goal line stand but could not keep Chris Nevinger from slicing off the right guard’s backside and crossing the end line from the 3-yard line on a big 4th down running play. Ryan Owens tacked on the extra-point kick as Letchworth jumped ahead of Cal-Mum 7 to 3 at the 0:57 mark of the 3rd quarter.

   Ben Anastasi returned the ensuing Letchworth kickoff to the CM 32-yard line. The Raider offense started to come alive in this drive. The offense moved the ball to midfield before being forced to punt. Zack Hinkson’s punt would go out of bounds at the Letchworth 21-yard line. The Raider defense would come up big as they held Letchworth offense in check, forcing a three plays and out series.

    Time was running out for Cal-Mum as Tyler Lauffer’s fair catch at the 8:46 mark of the 4th quarter, would set-up the Raiders’ offense at the CM 38-yard line. The Raiders were now looking at 62 long, tough yards to make it to the Letchworth end zone. The Raider offense appeared to be determined not to leave this contest without having a final say, in the outcome. The Raider offense started mixing up the passing and running plays as they slowly moved down the field. A 6-yard pass from Mike Anderson to Madison Suhr moved the Raider offense to midfield. A pass to Trevor Haut and a Tyler Lauffer run gave Cal-Mum another 1st down at the Letchworth 40-yard line, with under seven minutes remaining in the game. Tyler Lauffer again played big when he picked up a critical 1st down on a short 4th down run, at the Letchworth 30-yard line. Mike Anderson’s 3rd down quarterback sneak brought the Raiders inside the Letchworth 20, at the 19-yard line. Jon Cappotelli would then make a nice catch over to the middle of the field moving the Raiders into scoring position with a 1st down at the Letchworth 5-yard line.

   The hope for a scoring drive then came to an abrupt end when on the next play, Letchworth’s Chris Nevinger jumped in front of the Cal-Mum receiver and intercepted the Anderson pass. Ending the excellent Cal-Mum drive.

   The Indian offense had just enough left as they manage to kill off the clock with a big 1st down, thereby send the Raiders home with their first loss of the season.

   The Raiders were led on offense by Tyler Lauffer’s 83-yards in 28 rushing attempts. It was evident that the Indian defense was not going to let Lauffer’s running beat them. Chris Nevinger was the workhorse for the Indians with 84 yards in 21 carries. Mike Anderson was sharp in the passing department with an 11 for 16 passing effort. Madison Suhr was huge, as time and time again, Anderson went to Suhr for critical short pass completions. Suhr ended the night with 7 pass receptions. Trevor Haut and Jon Cappotelli each added two receptions, to the reception total.

   Jon Kemnitz led the Raider defensive effort with 11 tackles followed closely by Ben Anastasi and Dan Whiteside with 8 tackles apiece. Both Anastasi and Whiteside would also record quarterback sacks. David Wooley and Chris Nevinger led the Indians defense with 11 and 10 tackles respectively. Bucky Hendrickson was also a force with 6 solo tackles.

   The Raiders must put this tough loss behind them. Letchworth proved to be just one play better on this night. Hopefully, this difficult game will pay dividends later in the season, come playoff time. There is much to be taken from this game. The Raiders showed a very strong defense, the passing game was as sharp as it has been in some time and the ability to play at a high level was on display.

   The Raiders will have the opportunity to put this game behind them this Friday night, when Cal-Mum travels to Warsaw, to face-off against the 1-1 Tigers. It is time Cal-Mum to bring the Raider A-game, every game, for the rest of the season! Go Raiders!

Scoring Summary

Raiders takeout Canisteo-Greenwood 48 to 6
Lauffer rushes for 157 yards in varsity debut

   The Raiders scored early and often as Cal-Mum opened its 2009 football season with a convincing 48 to 6 victory over the visiting Canisteo-Greenwood Redskins. The efficient Raider offense was in high gear as it scored on four of its first five possessions. Equally impressive on the night was Cal-Mum’s defensive effort, as they limited the Redskins’ offensive unit, to three plays and out on C-G’s first four possessions. The Raider rushing effort was balanced, as 7 players accounted for 408 yards. Tyler Lauffer led all Raider ball carriers with 157 yards in 14 carries, for a very respectable 11.2 yards per carry average.

   The Raiders opened the game on offense after Trevor Haut returned the opening kick-off to the CM 38-yard line. From there the Cal-Mum offense moved the ball down field picking up 4 and 5 yards on every play. The big play of the opening dive was a 22-yard sweep to the left by Tyler Lauffer, who was finally forced out of bounds at the C-G 3-yard line. Two plays later, Trevor Haut bulled his way over the goal line from the 1-yard line for the opening score of the game. Lauffer’s sweep to the right added the 2-point conversion points and with 8:14 left in the first half, the Raiders had jumped to an early lead 8 to 0.

   The Raiders were prepared for Canisteo-Greenwood’s first offensive series as Cal-Mum defense stuffed the first two Redskin rushing attempts for losses. A Redskin third down passing attempt fell incomplete, forcing the C-G punt. Tyler Lauffer returned the ensuing Redskin punt 18 yards to the C-G 36-yard line, giving the Raiders excellent field position. The Raider offense once again moved the ball at will in the second series. A Tyler Lauffer 8-yard run produced a first down. A 16-yard pass from Raider quarterback Mike Anderson to Trevor Haut moved the ball to the C-G 11-yard line. Tyler Lauffer finished off the drive with an 11 yard burst up the middle. The 2-point conversion pass was incomplete but the Raider lead had grown to 14 to 0 at the 4:32 mark of the 1st quarter.

   Following the Lauffer score, the Raider kickoff team that has reverted to an old Cal-Mum staple, placing the ball on its side for the kickoff. The tactic paid off as the kickoff bounced off a Canisteo-Greenwood up-man on the return team, creating a fumble, which was recovered by Cal-Mum at the mid-field stripe. Canisteo-Greenwood’s defense did not wilt this time as they stepped up, forcing a Raider three and out. Following a Zack Hinkson 30-yard punt, Canisteo-Greenwood took over possession at the C-G 16-yard line.

   The Raider defense was in attack mode as they quickly forced the Redskins to punt from their own 11-yard line. Mark Ahearn’s punt would finally roll out of bounds at the CM 46-yard line. On the 2nd play of the Raider drive, Tyler Lauffer swept to the right side of the line would not be stopped as he raced down the C-G sideline for a 50-yard touch down run. Zack Hinkson extra-point kick split the uprights as the Raider were comfortably in charge 21 to 0 at the end of the 1st quarter.

   The same pattern would continue in the 2nd quarter as Canisteo-Greenwood’s offense struggled to get on track. Redskin punter, Mark Ahearn’s 3rd punt on the night set up the Raider offense at the C-G 47-yard line. This offensive series belonged to Raiders’ Jon Cappotelli and Trevor Haut. Capp’s 9-yard run and 12-yard run were sandwiched around a 12-yard Trevor Haut dive play. Haut would finish off the drive as he carried the ball the final 2-yards, into the end zone. Zack Hinkson tacked on the extra-point and the score stood at Cal-Mum 28, Canisteo-Greenwood 0 with 9:27 still remaining in the 1st half.

   The Redskin defense played better for the rest of the 1st half as they stopped the Raiders on their final three offensive possessions of the half. The only problem for the Redskins was the Raider defense was equally stifling as the Canisteo-Greenwood offense could not generate much offence of their own.

   The Redskins received the 2nd half kickoff and promptly issued a wake-up call to the Raiders. On the 3rd play from scrimmage, Redskins’ quarterback Mark Ahearn broke containment and weaved his way through the Cal-Mum defense, on his way to a 46-yard touch down run. The extra-point conversion run was no good but the Redskins were on the board, as the score stood at 28 to 6.

   The Raiders took little time to responded to the C-G score as they went on a 3 minute and 20 second, 7-play drive. Using running backs Trevor Haut, Jon Cappotelli and Tyler Lauffer, the Raiders moved the ball quickly into Redskin territory. Haut’s 1-yard dive once again gave the Raiders the upper hand and pretty much put the game out of reach, as the Raiders held a dominate 35 to 6 advantage.

   With 7 minutes remaining in the 3rd quarter, Coach Mike Monacelli began inserting substitutes into the Raider lineup. Offensive production did not suffer though as the subs continued to pound away at the Redskins’ defense. Kenny Fenderson’s 31-yard TD run late in the 3rd quarter was beautifully executed, as was Ben Anastasi’s 1-yard touchdown dive into the end zone mid-way through the 4th quarter.

   In the 2nd half, the Raiders were opportunistic on defense as Mike Anderson’s interception and Madison Suhr’s fumble recovery stalled C-G drives.

   By the time the clock hit 0:00 the Raiders had secured a 48 to 6 victory over Canisteo-Greenwood.

   The Raider offense was led by Tyler Laufferwith 157-yard rushing. Lauffer was followed in the Raider rushing parade by Kenny Fenderson’s 68-yards, Trevor Haut with 65-yards and Jon Cappotelli’s 44-yards in only 4 carries. Mike Anderson had an effective passing night going 3 for 9, good for 53-yards. Mark Ahearn was the Redskin rushing leader with 72-yards in 10 carries. Ahearn also accounted for 48 passing yards on a 5 for 17 effort.

   Defensively, Jon Kemnitz recorded 14 tackles of which 2 were solo. Brandon Mills was very good for C-G with 13 tackles, 6 of which were solo.

   The Raiders travel to Letchworth this coming Friday for a 7:30 game against the always tough Indians. It promises to be a great game as the Raiders and the Indians have really gotten after each other the past few years. The winner of this game will have the upper hand in the LCAA Division II Championship race. Come to Letchworth and support the Cal-Mum Raiders. Go Raiders!

Scoring Summary