The Pine Raiders football team travelled to Albany for their district opener last Thursday and came away with a relatively easy 48-0 win over the Hornets. The Raiders move their record to 5-1 overall and 1-0 in district. The Raiders will host the 4-2 Amite Warriors this Thursday in the Raider Dome.
The Hornets opened the game with a promising drive, moving into the Raiders territory to the 31 before the Raiders defense shut them down. The Raiders offense then drove and scored on Von Johnson's three yard run. The Raiders next drive was stopped by a fumble that the Hornets couldn't take advantage of, but the Raiders scored on the ensuing drive to score on a DJ Garrett reception with about three minutes left before the halftime. Garrett then intercepted a Hornets pass and returned it roughly 80 yards to put the Raiders up 21-0 at the halftime.
In the second half Thomas Benard opened things up with a kickoff return to put the Raiders up 28-0. After the teams traded punts the Raiders scored with 4:30 left in the third for a 35-0 lead. Quarterback Trey Knight then rushed 33 yards for a touchdown with less than a minute left in the third for a 42-0 score.
With a running clock due to the 42 point mercy rule, the Raiders scored late on a two yard run for the 48-0 final score.
Raider quarterback Trey Knight passed 18 times, completing 12 for 105 yards and a touchdown while running for 38 yards and a touchdown on two carries. Von Johnson rushed 13 times for 84 yards and a touchdown and Christian Williams rushed five times for 16 yards. Garrett was the leading receiver with seven receptions for 69 yards and a touchdown.
Coach Bradley Seal was proud of his defense that shut out the Hornets. "Our defense played very well. A fumble and kick return gave Albany the ball on our side of the field twice and our defense held. They have really played well all year and they have to play well next week against Amite. It will be an exciting game next week."
