Lake County Sentinel
Red Raiders falter after fast start 55-42
BY RYAN DELANEY
STAFF
(ROCKY RIVER, OH) — Fresh off a big off season, the Harvey Red Raiders traveled to the other side of Cleveland for an opening matchup against Rocky River.
The Raiders came out determined to feed the ball to Sophomore Running Back Shaun Alston. Alston, who is already garnering attention from the next level, showed why he comes into the season as the one of the best RBs in all of Ohio. He started his night punching in a TD after Davon Badley, Harvey Senior, broke off a 44-yard run. Alston followed that up with own 65-yard touchdown, giving Harvey an early 14-7 lead. But it wasn't just Alston for the Raiders. Senior QB, Cavon Wise, hooked up with Junior WR Trent Hull and Badley on a couple nice throws, as well as a nice run by fellow Sophomore RB Chris Burt. A Wise to Hull hook up gave Harvey a 20-7 First Quarter Lead.
That is where things started to turn for the Raiders. Alston did not play in the second quarter due to a calf injury and the Pirates began to flex their muscles through the air attack. Rocky River QB, Julian Patti, slung it well for the Pirates and Harvey had no answer. The Pirates kept pushing and would not back down. By the time the second quarter clock was ticking down, it was Rocky River 21, Harvey 20. It could have gotten worse for the Raiders before half as the Pirates were again knocking on the door, but Raiders LB Katory Henry Shaw picked off Patti's pass at the goal line, nearly taking it to the house. RB Chris Burt finished it off with a 20-yard TD run, giving the Raiders a 26-21 lead.
But the Pirates and QB Patti were not done yet. A 45-yard TD pass gave the Pi-rates the lead going into the half.
Pirates 28, Raiders 26
The second half was almost all Pirates. Possession after possession they tested the Raider secondary, and tonight the Raiders were not up to the challenge. Pi-rate QB Julian Patti lead his team down the field dropping dimes to his receivers. They kept the Raiders on their heels and mixed in a few big runs that were too much for Harvey to handle.
To their credit, the Raiders didn't give up. They continued to battle all night, fighting some tough penalties and a few players not at full strength.
In the end, the Pirates prevailed over the Raiders 55-42.
Harvey had some moments that make you believe in this young team, and they are bound to put it together. Coach Mickey Mohner has them on the right track.
Catch them in action next week at Perry, as they try to sink the ship of a tough Pirates team.
Raider Shout Outs - Shaun Alston, Chris Burt, Cavon Wise, Devon Badley, Trent Hull, Katory Henry Shaw
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POSTED 08/18/2023 01:55
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