The Comox Valley Raiders Midget team has a ‘W’ in the win column.
On Sept. 20 the Raiders hit the road to play the Cloverdale Bengals. Both teams were looking for their first win of the season and the Raiders prevailed 34-0.
On the first play from scrimmage for the offence, running back Jimmy Brazier took an inside handoff and broke the run outside and rambled for a touchdown run of just over 50 yards and an early 6-0 lead.
On the next series on offence the Raiders again drove the ball and on third and one from the Bengals’ 12-yard line quarterback Ryan Beauchamp ran a QB sneak right up the middle and into the end zone for a 12-0 lead. On this play the offensive line of Tristin Thies-Erickson, Brandon Marlow, Monty Watson, Dylan Heemskerk and Ayden Barnes drove the pile 12 yards right into the end zone for the score.
The strong play of the offensive line continued throughout the game and allowed the Raiders to drive the ball effectively. In the first quarter Brazier capped the scoring with a wind-aided punt of almost 70 yards that went through the end zone for a single point.
In the second quarter the Raiders had two quick scores in the final three minutes of the first half to take 27-0 lead at half time.
Beauchamp, in his best performance yet as the Raiders QB, threw a 55-yard TD strike to Brazier and then another touchdown pass to wide receiver Cameron Thompson right before half time. Thompson’s touchdown was followed by a two-point convert pass to Duncan Simpson.
Brazier completed the scoring in the fourth quarter with another touchdown run, his third TD of the game. Brazier also kicked the convert to give the Raiders the 34-0 victory. The strong play of Brazier, Beuchamp and the Raiders’ O-line carried the offence on this day.
The entire Raider’s defence deserves credit for their performance against the Bengals. They executed their game plan and stifled the Bengals offence all day, as Cloverdale never came close to scoring. Notable performances on D go to outside linebacker Conor Macneil with a second quarter interception and middle linebacker Alex Parsons who shut down the Bengals’ inside run and also had a sack. The return of halfback Aaron Slack and safety Brandon White was a huge boost and their leadership on the field was noticeable.
The Raiders return to action this Sunday, Sept. 27 against the Victoria Spartans with kickoff 1:30 p.m. at Bill Moore Memorial Park in Courtenay.