Raiders hope to keep streak alive on homecoming

Though the home venues have changed, the Sidney Red Raiders football schedule is exactly the same as it was in 2012. The results, however, have been anything but the same. With the Homecoming game scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday night at Weymouth Field, the hometown rooters hope that trend continues.

After reversing fortunes against its first two opponents from 2012, Grand Island Northwest and Holdrege, they try for the three-peat on Friday night against Chase County (1-0). The Longhorns upended the Raiders last year 48-8 at Imperial. In Chase County's season opener last week at Gordon-Rushville, the Longhorns bounced their hosts 51-0.

Chase County returns eight offensive starters from last season including junior quarterback Kelton Fisher and senior running backs Justis Wallin and Trey Minor. All three also play defense. Wallin, a fullback, is a converted lineman who runs very well for his size accoriding to Raiders Head Coach Todd Ekart. Wallin is listed at 225 pounds. 

Though some key elements of the Longhorns have returned, their offensive approach is not as it was in 2012.

"They've played out of a wishbone, an I formation and now they've gone to a spread," said Ekart. "We've had some experience defending this kind of offense with Northwest so it won't be completely new to us."

As for the Raiders offense they will continue to be who they are. A physical, run-first, clock eating offense capable of wearing down defenses. Behind Sidney's effective offensive line will be the workhorses Logan Lewis and Chance Anglin. Michael Deaver will be mixed in too.

Last week at Holdrege, the Raiders also proved they can pass the ball effectively. Despite an intermittently effective running game on their first offensive series, the Raiders found the endzone anyway. When the running game bogged down, quarterback Lane Harvey completed two key pass plays - the final one a 29-yard touchdown to Lucas Rosenbaum. Two Holdrege offsides penalties aided the Raider cause.

"When we start seeing defenses creeping up on the line we know we can go to the passing game to back them off," Ekart said.

In Chase County's opener the Longhorns were aided by the inexperiece of the young Gordon-Rushville Mustangs. Gordon-Rushville, which played out of a shotgun formation the entire game, was plagued by center snap issues. On one occassion Chase County scored a safety after Gordon-Rushville twice snapped the ball over the quarteback's head.

In the second half, Chase County scored touchdowns on four of six possessions - helped in part by Mustang miscues. Since the Raiders have not shown themselves to be so sloppy and inexperienced, it's hard to gauge what can be learned of Chase County's opener.

Max Preps ranks Chase County 54th in Nebraska and Sidney 50th. Though it's difficult if not impossible to gauge the relative strength of football teams so early in the season, it does suggest a close game could be in store. But of course, these teams play in different conferences and have played no common opponents to date.

At halftime of Friday's game the Homecoming King and Queen will be crowned at mid field. The nominations for king are Lucas Rosenbaum, Logan Lewis and Nick Castner. Nominees for queen are Sarah Mahr, Cody Rowley and Abbi Porter.