Riverfield wins first game against Central Hinds

For the season opening game, the Riverfield Raiders traveled to Raymond, Miss., to take on the Central Hinds Cougars.

For the first time in eight years, the Raiders defeated Central Hinds on their own field.

the Raiders took possession of the ball first in the game and moved the ball well with the run. The first quarter, however, ended in a scoreless tie.

The Raiders, who were dominant throughout the game, struck first in the second quarter. With less than two minutes gone off the clock, Garrett Brakefield connected with Hayden Geisbreict for a 13-yard completion and touch down. The PAT failed but the Raiders were up 6-0.

The Raiders then capitalized on back to back fumbles by the Cougars on their next two possessions. Drew Garrett and Ty Skeldon made the two fumble recoveries, setting up the next two Raider touchdowns. The touchdowns were scored on the running of Nicholas Heath. A seven-yard and a 35-yard gave the Raiders an 18-0 lead.

The cougars then struck back with a 46-yard kickoff return. They then moved the ball another 46 yards in two plays to put up six points. 

A two-point PAT gave the Cougars the only score they would have in the game.

Another Cougar turnover on their next possession, a pass interception by ty Skeldon, set up teh fourth Raider touch down in the second quarter. The touch down came on a two-yard run by Hudson Brakefield.

The Raiders went into halftime with a 24-8 lead. The Raiders scored two more touch downs in the third quarter to bring their lead to 36-8. Those two scores were a one-yard run by Nicholas Heath and a 14-yard run by Hudson Brakefield.

The fourth quarter was scoreless and much of it was played by Raider second string players. The final score was Riverfield 36, Central Hinds 8.

The Raiders totaled 494 yards of offense on the night. Of that yardage, 454 was rushing and 40 was with the pass.

Leading the rushing was Nicholas Heath with 238 yards. Garrett Brakefield followed with 111 yards, Hudson Brakefield has 27, Colton Williams had 15 and Braxton Shelton had three.

In the passing game, Garrett Brakefield was two for 10 with 28 yards. Brakefield was intercepted once. Drew Holley was one for one when he completed to Cooper Eldridge for 12 yards.

All in all, it was a great opening game.

A couple of things the Raiders will be working to improve on are negative yardage assessed against them due to penalties and failed PATs.

The Raiders will hit the road again tomorrow night, traveling to Dora, Miss., to take on the Tri County Rebels. The team is still missing their head coach, Boyd Cole, who is out recovering from neck surgery he underwent on the Monday after the Jamb a t the Grove. Our prayers are with Coach Cole for a complete and quick recovery.

Coach Kyle Stracenor is currently filling the role of head coach in Coach Cole’s absence. He is assisted by Josh Legendre, Lucas Crockett, Zach Kinley, Joey Antley and Ronnie Lowery.

Hey, Raider fans, see you tomorrow night at Tri County. Kick off is at 7 p.m.