The Ocean City Junior Raiders squared off against the Vineland Blitz on Sunday, Sept. 28 at Carey Field at the Ocean City High School.
The Taxi squad (kindergarten through 2nd grade) opened up the action. While no official score is kept at this level, the team played hard and the game was competitive. The team is clearing translating what it learns in practice to the games.
Next up was the Peewee team (3
rd and 4
th grade). The game, by far the most exciting of the year, was an offensive showcase with numerous lead changes between the Raiders and Blitz. The Raiders went up 34-32 when Ocean City scored its final touchdown with less than two minutes remaining in the game. Ayden Sweitzer secured the win when he recovered the onsides kick-off with
1:24 remaining in the game. The Offensive highlights were many including three touchdown runs and two touch down passes thrown by QB David Legette. Both touchdown passes were both caught by Stephen Ordille who had over 100 yards receiving on the day. Running backs Drew Young (extra point) and Derek Berardis (1 touchdown) both did excellent ground work as well. The running could not have occurred without the huge push up front. The coaches would like to acknowledge the whole offensive line, Taryn Cupit, Will McGinn, Ayden Sweitzer, Nate Wagner, Ryan Callahan, Hunter Watson, and Kori Segich, for their work in the trenches. On the defensive side of the ball, the kids never gave up and made stops when necessary. Julian Rivera, safety, was the defensive player of the game, recording 4 solo tackles.
The Varsity team (7
th and 8
th grade) struggled in the first half of its game eventually leading to a 45-6 loss. However, the team never quit and fought hard in the second half. The team’s touchdown was scored by Martin Cattie.
The JV team (5
th and 6
th grade) finished off the action for the day in a defensive battle of unbeaten 3-0 teams. The first half saw a tremendous goal line stand by the Ocean City team backed up inside its own five yard line. After stopping Vineland on fourth and goal, the Junior Raiders immediately flipped the field with long runs by Jacob Wilson and Nasir Kelly. The drive was finished off by a short touchdown run by Wilson who also added the extra point allowing the Junior Raiders to take a 7-0 lead at halftime. The defensive struggle continued in the second half in which neither team could sustain a scoring drive. The Junior Raiders forced three turnovers overall in the game including an interception by Wilson and a fumble recovery with a little over 6 minutes left in the game. The team never relinquished possession and was able to sustain enough of a drive with great play calling by head coach Carl Wanek to run down the clock and seal the 7-0 victory. The win puts the JV squad’s record to 4-0 with all victories coming by a shutout.
Attendance at the games was once again terrific and the organization thanks all those who volunteered at concessions, setup, breakdown and in the press box during the games.
The Junior Raiders next play at Northfield on
Saturday, October 4, 2014.
If you have any pictures from the games, please forward them to
[email protected].
— By Raymond Patella for the Ocean City Junior Raiders
