Varsity Football Gets Run Over by Cedar Ridge 46-14

Navigate Left
Navigate Right
  • Owen Norrell ’24 looks to throw the ball. His pass was complete but short of a first down.

  • Owen Norrell ’24 looks for his options. He ran the ball, gaining a couple yards for the Warriors.

  • Joshua Lee ’22 is lifted by his friends during half time. It was the band’s senior night so every senior was recognized.

  • Mike Davis ’24 prepares to throw the ball. His pass was complete for a first down.

  • Darion Barnes ’22 dodges an opponent. Barnes was a key rushing player and also played defensively.

  • Owen Norrell ’24 runs with the ball. He managed a gain of a few yards for the Warriors.

Navigate Left
Navigate Right

Coming off of a harsh loss to Vandegrift, the Warriors took on the Cedar Ridge Raiders Friday, Oct. 29, hopeful for a better outcome. However, despite a hard fought match, the Warriors were unable to conquer the Raiders, falling 46-14.

Cedar Ridge opened the game, kicking off to Derion Barnes ‘22 who returned the ball in vain as the Warriors ended up trying to convert their fourth down, and a pass intended for Grant Jaeger ‘23 was ruled incomplete, resulting in a Cedar Ridge first down. With their first possession, Cedar Ridge marched down the field, rushing into the endzone for the first touchdown of the game with six minutes left in the quarter. Ready to prove themselves, the Warriors pushed their way to the Raider’s 40 yard line but a fourth down pass was ruled short and the Raiders received the ball again. Despite tackles by Gus Wendland ‘22 and Barnes, the Raiders ran their way to the two yard line, ultimately stopped by Scott Uffelman ‘25. Myles Haney ‘22 tackled for a loss, pushing them to the five yard line, but the Raiders ran the ball into the endzone for a touchdown. After a quick drive by the Warriors, the Raiders ended the quarter with another touchdown, making the score 21-0.

“The amount of injuries we’ve suffered this year has given some younger players more playing time,” Jake Davis ‘22 said. “Some young guys have stepped up and I’m excited to see how they grow into more featured roles on the team in the future.”

Starting up the second quarter, Mike Davis ‘24 completed a pass to Lane Wood ‘24 for a Warrior first down, and two more passes put the ball at first and goal. A pass completed by Owen Norrell ‘24 to Jaeger brought the Warriors their first hard-earned touchdown. With a good extra point, kicked by Matthew Jack ‘22, the score was brought to 21-7. Immediately after, the Raiders retaliated, quickly moving down the field and running the ball into the Warrior endzone. A few minutes later, the Warriors were forced to punt and the Raiders started a new drive, resulting in another touchdown. Their extra point was no good, bringing the score to 34-7 with five minutes left in the half. Looking to bring the score closer, the Warriors made their way into Raider territory, with Norrell completing a pass for another Warrior touchdown. Building on the momentum, the Warriors intercepted a Cedar Ridge pass, picking off the ball and taking a first down. After a 15 yard penalty called on the Raiders for pass interference moved the Warriors closer to the endzone, the Raiders managed to intercept the ball and run it 75 yards for a touchdown. Unfortunately for Cedar Ridge, they were called for holding and the touchdown was taken back, resulting in the Raiders’ possession. Fighting to hold the Raider offense, the Warriors pushed them to fourth down, closing the half 34-14.

“We prepared really well for the game and studied our opponents well,” James Thompson ‘22 said. “Some key drops on third down and a few missed tackles was all it took to fall behind late in the game.”

The second half started with Cedar Ridge possession, but their drive was quickly stifled by the Warrior defense, forcing them to punt. Play went back and forth between the teams, both forcing each other to punts until a Cedar Ridge fumble recovered by Haney gave the Warriors possession back. However, the Raiders quickly regained possession, picking off Norrell’s pass for an interception. After a completed pass was brought down around the 45 yard line, the Raiders ran the ball for a touchdown. Their extra point was no good and a Warrior first down by Marcus Clinton ‘22 brought the third quarter to a close at 40-14.

“It was a tough loss but we are going to bounce back next week,” Wendland said.

The Warriors came out strong in the final quarter of the game, pushing their way to first and goal, ending their drive when Mike Davis’ run was called just short of the endzone on fourth down. Energized from the stop, the Raiders quickly progressed down the field but fumbled at the Warrior 20 yard line which was recovered by Haiyang Pang ‘22 to give the Warriors the ball. The drive resulted in a punt however, and the ball went back to Cedar Ridge. After several drives, despite the Warrior defense putting up a fight, the Raiders managed to run their way into the endzone. Their extra point was blocked and with 12 seconds left in the game the Raiders secured their 46-14 win over the Warriors.

“Next week is the last time most of us will get to suit up for the rest of our lives, so expect us to go out with a bang,” Cody Nasrallah ‘22 said.

The Warriors will end their season Friday, Nov. 5, against the McNeil Mavericks at the Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex.