RAIDERS (4-2)

Raiders vs Eagles
The Lakota-Adams-Edmore Raiders had another tough loss in a game against the North Border Eagles. The Raiders went into half with a 20-0 lead. However the Raiders could not contain that lead going into the second half. The Eagles scored 20 unanswered points, while the Raiders could not get their offense going in the second half, totaling up 36 yards in the final two quarters of the game. Not being able to rebound the Raiders are now 4-2. However I do not expect the Raiders to be phased going into their week 7 matchup against Central Valley.

Looking Ahead
As far as play makers go the Raiders have them, I’ve commented about this in some of my recent blogs, but the talent the Raiders have is remarkable. Eric Haugland at Quarterback has improved greatly stepping up in the pocket and hitting his receivers. Jaron Moor is Hauglands leading receiver this season, Moor has been making big plays almost every time the football is in his hands. Winning is not an issue for the Raiders. However the Raiders need a great week of practice this week, to defeat their opponent Central Valley. Central Valley only has one victory so far this season, but that does not mean the Raiders will take them lightly as Lakota-Adams-Edmore is going for their fifth win of the season. The Raiders need to be mentally ready, because Cavalier is one of the best teams in 9-man football, which is the Raiders last home game of the year in a couple weeks. Every win is important this time of year, its either make or break. These next three weeks could come down to the last possession, it’s going to be an exciting few weeks and we all are excited to see what the Raiders have to offer!

Stepping Up

Many players on the Raiders have had great seasons, but it’s about stepping up and taking your potential to the next level. It will be interesting to see which players will except that role and become a real threat to the opposing team. Each play in football counts and it’s all about who wants it more. Don’t be surprised if one/a few of the players on the Raiders football team takes some huge strides forward need the next few weeks.

Central Valley
This game is projected in the Raiders favor, but that does not mean it’s going to be a cake walk. The Raiders must have a very good week of practice, to allow them to have a great game against Central Valley.

  

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Lakota-Adams-Edmore Raiders at New Rockford-Sheyenne Rockets

The 2011 season has started off great for the Lakota-Adams-Edmore Raiders winning there first 4 games and winning a very exciting game against the Blue Knights last Friday night! The game against the Rockets was just as good, taking the game right down to the last few seconds!

RECAP
The Raiders kicked off to the Rockets, the Raiders came out ready to stop the run trying to avoid any big plays to be made by the Rockets. The Rockets would not be slowed down, making big plays early against the Raiders. Scoring off a Mason Haley 21 yard Touchdown rush with 7:11 left in the 1st Quarter. On the Raiders opening drive Quarterback Eric Haugland lost the football on the teams first play, giving the football back to the Rockets. Although the Raiders lost the football, they turned it around on defense and made a stop allowing them another chance to tie the game up. The Raiders went right at the Rockets getting plays all around the field, taking the football all the way down to the one yard line, handing it off to running back Jaron Moor for the TOUCHDOWN. Early on, the Raiders defense was holding there own stopping the Rockets by forcing a fumble and giving themselves great field position on offense. It did not take long for the Raiders to take advantage of the turnover, scoring on an Eric Haugland TOUCHDOWN pass to Thomas Boe! (1:38 left in First Quarter). To start the Second Quarter the Rockets had the football, making it difficult for the Raiders to make a stop, as the Rockets were driving. Running back Ethan Haley scored on a 10 yard Touchdown rush, causing problems early for the Raiders. Trying to retake the lead the Raider continued to drive down the field capitalizing on an Eric Haugland 5 yard TOUCHDOWN rush with 6:33 left in the First Half. However not long after that the Rockets went right down the field to score another Touchdown with 4:43 left in the half! Leading us into halftime with a 20-20 tie! Starting the second half with the ball, Junior kick returner Jaron Moor was looking to make a play. The Raiders were no phased to start the second half, knowing that they need to make a play in order to win this game. Both teams were holding there own deep into the third quarter and the team with the fewest mistakes was going to come out victorious. The Raiders were having issues against the Rockets to contain them, committing to many penalties up front! Forcing the Raiders to overcome long down situations. With 5:16 left in the third quarter Rockets running back Alex Perleberg scored on a 34 yard Touchdown rush giving the Rockets there second lead of the night. However it did not take long for the Raiders to score themselve,s capitalizing on a 14 yard TOUCHDOWN rush by Eric Haugland converting the two point conversion giving the Raiders the lead! The Raiders were beginning to click on all cylinders making big plays late in the game, as the Rockets were beginning to drive Lakota-Adams-Edmore Raiders Junior Safety Zac Sundre intercepted the Rockets pass with 7:37 left in the game! Not long after the ball disruption the Raiders caused, Chris Miller steam rolled his way down the field for a 42 yard TOUCHDOWN rush! Looking as if the Raiders might sneak away with another win, the Rockets were not about to give up! On a 3rd and long the Rockets had no choice but to throw the ball down the field, and the Rockets made a huge play by completing the pass to Mason Haley, tying the up the score with only 3:49 remaining. The Raiders had the opportunity to take the lead and win the game, however the Rockets were having none of it forcing a 3 and out. This is where the Raiders defense needed to make a stop and get the ball back late in the game. The Rockets began to drive, going all the way down to the 9 yard line with less then a minute remaining. The Raiders made 3 huge stops in the endzone only needing to make one more to send this one into overtime. Only 3 seconds left in the game, the Rockets went for the pass play to win the game. Quarterback Cobey Allmaras dropped back to pass and found open wide receiver Ethan Haley for the Rockets game winning Touchdown! That was all she wrote, not allowing the Raiders any time to come back.

Final: Rockets 40 Raiders 34 

FIRST LOSS
The Rockets handed the Raiders there first loss of the season, however the Raiders can not let this one effect them because they got themselves a tough game at home next Friday Night against the North Border Eagles. The first loss is always a tough one, and bouncing back from a loss will be no problem for the Raiders. You can expect many big plays against the Eagles, the Raiders have themselves a very good team and the the ability to win is there!
The mistakes upfront against the Rockets was a main fault in the loss, to many penalties hurt the production of the offense. The Raiders big play ability is remarkable but when those big plays get taken back because of a holding call, it can essentially hurt the production of the team. Silly penalties take away momentum and field position and it can make it difficult to score points. By reducing these mistakes the team will be set, they need to continue to work and keep there heads up, so losses like this can be avoided!
Defending the pass has been an issue all season. Late in this game the Raiders gave up two Touchdown passes, one that ended the game. The Raiders need to continue to work on the overall production of defending pass, so they can prevent late Touchdowns through the air. The Raiders do get good pressure on the Quarterback but they have been struggling in the secondary. Once this area improves the Raiders will be very dangerous defensively!

FINISH
The will to win has not been an issue this season for the Raiders, they go into every game wanting it more then there opponent. The arm and speed of Eric Haugland is also a task for opposing defenses, his ability to boot is remarkable, Haugland is not afraid to run over a player. At the same time Haugland has developed a great arm and can be dangerous through the air! Chris Miller has been a force all season, racking up the yards. There is no doubt that the other team has to game plan to stop him. Jaron Moor is one of the quickest kids around, which benefits him on the field. If Moor can get around the edge do not surprised if he takes it to the house. Dylan Eichelberger is very dangerous, he is the ground and pound type of player. Might not break off big one, but almost every carry is for positive yards. Brady Eichelberger, one the better blocking full backs you will see. Simply not afraid to knock some one out. Every tail back for the Raiders will tell you that Brady is a great player to have in front of you!
With the play makers the Raiders have, breaking off big plays will not be an issue this season! The Raiders just need to keep the mistakes to a minimum.

RETURNING 
Right Guard Dylan Beck, has been up and down this season with an injury to his ankle, which is a big loss for the Raiders. I have not gotten any news about his injury yet but he was out most of the game against the Rockets. The Raiders already have a minimum amount of players that they can use and injuries are not an issue they need. Senior Guard Kris Schroeder, returned to the field earlier last week and should be ready to go against the North Border Eagles. adding Schroeder is going to help the offensive line out a lot making the depth chart a little stronger! Schroeder is an experienced player who has had Varsity time, winning is always his main priority. Adding a player at his size and ability will help the team in many different areas! 

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