Raiders Drop Third Straight, 21-12

Sidney's Red Raider Football team traveled to Yuma, Co., on Friday, and after going up early were unable to stop the Indians' running game and lost their third straight game, 21-to-12.

After a 2-and-0 opening to the season that had the Sidney running game tallying big numbers and controlling the contests, the Red Raiders faced a higher level of competition, and have not been able to make the adjustments necessary to win against better teams.

Friday's contest started well for the Red Raiders, as after both teams went three-and-out on their first possessions, Yuma drove all the way down the to the Sidney four yard line, and were stopped at the one on fourth down by the aggressive Sidney defense. After Sidney punted the ball away, Yuma gained one first down before quarterback Nash Richardson fumbled and Sidney took over. Again the Raiders could not sustain a drive, and turned the ball over on downs. On the last play of the first quarter, Yuma senior running back Yahir Trejo went around the left end for a big gain but fumbled the ball, and Sidney junior Cam Leeling was in the right place at the right time. Leeling scooped up the ball and blazed down the sideline for 58 yards and a Raider touchdown. After a failed two point conversion, Sidney had a 6-to-0 lead.

The lead didn't last long, as in Yuma's next possession Richardson and Trejo combined for big runs to drive down the field, ending in a Trejo 14 yard run for a touchdown. The point after kick was good, and Yuma took a 7-to-6 lead. Sidney responded to the score with a quick drive with sophomore Luke Holly and senior Austin Wolfe breaking out big runs until Holly took a fly-sweep around the left side and went 62 yards for a touchdown. After another failed two point try, the Raiders held a 12-to-7 lead.

But that was all of the scoring the Red Raiders were able to manage for the rest of the contest. Yuma started their next possession and drove down the field 65 yards, ending in a one yard touchdown plunge by Trejo, and with a good point after kick, the Indians went on top 14-to-12. Sidney responded well with a long drive down to the Yuma one yard line, but had back-to-back illegal procedure penalties push them back to the Yuma 11 yard line. Sophomore quarterback Isak Doty tried to find junior receiver Micah Schneider in the end zone, but Schneider was unable to corral the catch and the deflection was intercepted by Yuma's John Smith in the end zone. With about 40 seconds left before the half Yuma tried for more points, and two big runs by Jesus Ross brought the Indians to the Raiders four yard line with six seconds left in the half. Yuma tried to break through on a run by Richardson, but Sidney's Micah Schneider was able to make the tackle for no gain and end the half.

Sidney started on offense in the second half, but could not move the ball and punted. The Sidney defense was able to hang on when a long drive by Yuma was stopped on a turnover on downs at the Sidney four yard line. Sidney could not move the ball and punted, giving Yuma a short field on offense. Yuma quickly moved down the field and then scored on a 25 yard pass from Richardson to John Smith, giving the Indians a 21-to-12 lead.

Neither team was able to move the ball in the fourth quarter. Late in the game, Sidney safety Micah Schneider collapsed on the field and was immediately tended to by the medical personnel. Schneider was carted off the field and transported to Sidney Regional Medical Center. As of Saturday, it was reported that Schneider was okay and all of his test checked out. Senior running back Nathan Kennedy was out due to injury, and Holly and Wolfe handled the majority of the rushes, with Holly gaining 102 yards and a touchdown on thirteen carries to lead the Raiders. Senior Dietrich Lecher led the defense with 19 total tackles. It doesn't get any easier for Sidney, as they travel on Friday to face the 5-and-0 Chadron Cardinals to begin district play.