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A battle of two undefeated teams took place Saturday night as the Dubuque Bruisers stormed into Historic Horlick Field to battle the Raiders.
The Raiders scored first when Bryan Jennings, Jr., scored on an 11-yard run with 7:05 remaining in the first quarter. Ben Aguilar converted the extra point attempt to give the Raiders a 7-0 lead.
A Raider fumble recovery a little less than two minutes into the second quarter led to an eight-yard touchdown run by Jennings. Aguilar converted the extra point attempt to put the Raiders up by 14.
Donald Woodard intercepted a Bruiser pass and ran the ball 76 yards for a touchdown with 3:40 left in the first half, putting Racine up 21-0 following Aguilar's conversion.
The Bruisers put their first points on the board with 52 seconds left in the first half when quarterback Jamar Jackson threw a pass to receiver Marvin Mabry. A successful extra point attempt pulled the Bruisers within 14 points of the Raiders.
Bruiser cornerback Adam Kaiser intercepted a Raider pass and ran it to the Raiders five-yard line with 24 seconds left in the first half. Two plays later, Dubuque scored on a Mabry touchdown reception to pull within eight. The Bruisers two-point conversion pass was completed, but a penalty was called on the play, negating the successful conversion.
The Raiders would go into the half up by eight points, but all of the momentum was with the visiting Bruisers.
The coaching staff opted to go with Virgil McNeil at quarterback in the second half, part of a normal roatation the staff will use until one of the four quarterbacks on the roster steps up to take the starting job.
The Raiders were dealt a blow just one minute into the third quarter when running back J.R. Taylor suffered a broken fibula in his right leg and dislocated his ankle and was taken away from Historic Horlick Field in an ambulance.
The Raiders opening drive of the second half stalled at the 25-yard line. Aguilar came out to attempt a 42-yard field goal, but it sailed wide right, giving the ball to the Bruisers at their own 32-yard line.
Dubuque took advantage of the miscue and scored when Jackson connected with Torrey Smith on an 18-yard touchdown pass with 11:09 left in the third quarter. Jackson ran into the endzone on the two-point conversion attempt, tying the score at 2.
On the ensuing drive, Jennings ran the ball 21 yards into the endzone once again giving the Raiders the lead, one they wouldn't relinquish.
Raiders fullback Adam Chorazy scored on a two-yard touchdown run with 1:50 remaining in the third quarter increasing the Raiders lead to 35-21.
Three minutes into the fourth quarter, quarterback Virgil McNeil ran a bootleg to the right side and walked into the endzone from one yard out. The Bruisers blocked the extra point attempt, giving the Raiders a 41-21 lead.
Raiders cornerback Will Norwood tipped and caught a Jackson pass returning it 38 yards for a touchdown with 11:23 left in the game. Racine scored the last points of the game with 1:55 left to played on a fake field goal attempt which saw defensive back Eric Feest, who holds on kicks, throw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Demetrius Thompson, giving the Raiders the 55-21 victory.
The Raiders rushing attack shined once again, gaining 222 yards on 36 carries and racking up five touchdowns. Jennings led the way with 15 rushes for 103 yards and three touchdowns. Sam D'Alie led all receivers with three catches for 75 yards.
The Raiders defense held the Bruisers to just 32 yards on the ground on 13 attempts. The normally accurate Jackson, completed just 43% of his passes (18 of 42) and was intercepted twice, both of which were returned for touchdowns.
The Raiders travel to Stagg Field on the University of Chicago campus next week to battle the Chicago Wolverines. The game begins at 7 p.m.
All photos in this article courtesy of Dennis Borhus-Veto, Racine Raiders.
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