Sidney Raiders beat Adams Central

HASTINGS - With a one-two punch provided by the size and strength of their offensive line, combined with the speed and depth of their offensive backfield, the Sidney Red Raiders piled up more than 400 yards rushing on their way to a 45-30 win over the Adams Central Patriots (0-2) in a battle of Class B teams in Hastings on Friday night.

As the Raiders advanced their record to 2-0 for the the third straight year, Hunter Secrest and Alex Linneman both rushed for better than 100 yards while Jake Heeren and Derek Robb both finished with more than 80. The Sidney backfield combined to score seven touchdowns.

"Our line did a great job tonight and made it easier for the backs," said Secrest. "Around the third quarter, when they went to me three or four times in a row, the guards pulled out in front of me and helped me extend the play."

Defensively, the Raiders challenged a talented offense which combined a wide-open throwing attack with a straight ahead running game. Senior quarterback Breckon Reed threw for 269 yards and three touchdowns. All Reed's six-point tosses went to junior Cole Spady, who had 10 receptions for 196 yards.

While the Pats revealed a strong passing attack as expected, they also displayed a dangerous running game. Junior Marc Zeckser, who did not play in the Adams Central opener, piled up 155 yards on 23 carries. The rest of the Patriots running attack combined for -5 yards.

"(Spady and Zeckser) are both quality players," said Raiders' head coach Chris Koozer. "(Spady) was on film so we knew how good he was and how much they like to throw to him. We didn't have any film work on (Zeckser) but he's obviously a very talented runner.

"We'll learn from this. We have to continue to stay over the top and work our technique because we'll see other solid players like him," he added.

Despite the Patriots dangerous offensive weapons, it was Sidney's offense which took control early. As they did at Chadron the previous week, the Raiders scored on their first possession. Again it was Linneman who sparked the offense as he capped a four-play 54-yard touchdown march with a 12-yard run around the left end.

"It was just like last week when our offensive line did such a great job blocking," said Linneman. "The outside blocking has been great. It's been really easy for me when those guys get out in front of me."

The Raiders then waited just 1:26 to advance the score to 14-0. Adams Central ran only two plays after the Linneman score. The Pats march was interrupted by the Raiders' Coby Haas who intercepted Reed for his second pick of the season. Two plays later, Robb ran two-yards up the middle for the score.

Sidney took advantage of a personal-foul call to go up 21-0. Raiders' quarterback Brady Radcliffe capped a 25-yard drive with a sneak past center Cody Hofrock. Spady then caught his first touchdown pass to cut Sidney's halftime lead to 21-8.

"We set up a whole new defense for these guys since we knew they like to throw so much," said Linneman. "It's been a few years since I've played much defense so it's a whole new game for me. I let one get behind me which I'm not too happy about but I know I can get that fixed."

The Raiders opened the third quarter with an eight-play, 67-yard drive that culminated in a seven-yard dash by Secrest into the endzone for a 27-8 advantage. Sidney made its march entirely on the ground utilizing four different ball carriers.

Heeren and Robb each had a carry for 17 yards while Linneman had another for 14. The final 10 yards were picked up by Secrest on two carries. After Spady caught his second touchdown pass of the game, Linneman countered with a 45-yard bolt for a 33-16 lead after three quarters.

Heeren (27 yards) and Robb (44 yards) tallied long touchdown runs in the fourth quarter while Reed and Spady answered for the Pats to give Sidney its final margin of victory.

"It's nice to pick up these two wins on the road and know now that we have five of seven at home," Koozer said.

The Raiders will make their 2015 debut at Weymouth Field on Friday when Hastings comes to town for a 7 p.m. start. The Tigers (1-1) were shutout 41-0 by Scottsbluff last week in Hastings.

RAIDERS' SCORING

Sidney 45, Adams Central

Sidney 14 7 12 12 - 45

Adams Central 0 8 8 14 - 30

S - Alex Linneman 41-yard run (Heeren kick)

S - Derek Robb 2-yard run (Heeren kick)

S - Brady Radcliffe 1-yard run (Heeren kick)

A - Cole Spady 35-yard pass from Breckon Reed (Kyler Wormstadt pass from Reed)

S - Hunter Secrest 7-yard run (kick failed)

A - Cole Spady 39-yard pass from Breckon Reed (Marc Zeckser run)

S - Alex Linneman 45-yard run (run failed)

S - Jake Heeren 27-yard run (kick failed)

A - Mac Zeckser 2-yard run (Breckon Reed run)

S - Derek Robb 44-yard run (kick failed)

A - Cole Spady 41-yard pass from Breckon Reed (kick failed)