ERHS Loses Close Game to Rival Wise

By Christon Quashie

Staff Writer

The Raider

In a defensive game, the Dr. Henry A. Wise High Pumas pulled out with a win in a close and competitive match up against the Eleanor Roosevelt High School Raiders on Friday afternoon.

With many people at Eleanor Roosevelt to witness two of the top teams in the county facing off, the anticipation of this much-hyped game was felt all around.

Also two of the top defenses in the county the Pumas and Raiders lived up to their much talked about defense. The teams headed into halftime 0-0, as there were lots of big hits and great tackling.

Looking for offensive, Wise marched down the field in the 3^rd quarter and scored, but failed on the conversion, which put them in the lead 6-0.

Recovering a fumble in the opening minutes of the 4^th quarter, the Raiders looked to capitalize on the turnover, but were unable to. Still playing aggressive defensive, the Raiders did not allow the Pumas to score on a crucial 4^th quarter drive where the Pumas drove down the field led by a powerful running attack.

With 2:09 left and the ball on the 7-yard line, sophomore quarterback Shawn Petty fumbled the football and Wise recovered. Not giving up, the defensive got the ball back for the Raiders offensive with 20 seconds deep in their own territory. After a couple of impressive catches, time simply ran out on the Raiders comeback, as the Pumas won 6-0.

Although the team lost, Raiders football coach, Thomas Green was “not disappointed” in his team’s performance and he also says this game can “work in our favor.”

As for the rest of the season, senior running back, Richard Aiyegoro simply states, “we [are] not losing anymore.” Co-leading tackler, senior Dominic Shepard believes it is back to the weight room and the team needs to continue to “work hard.” Other leading tackler Cornelius McDonald knows he needs to work on getting his “stamina right,” and with a serious look on his face, McDonald says he will “continue to be a dog on the field.”

The Raiders look to get back on the winning track against the Duval Tigers on October 3^rd at 2 PM.