Raiders Down Haymakers, 19-7

Sidney's Red Raider Football team traveled to Cozad Friday, and came away with a 19-to-7 win, ending a three-game losing streak and keeping the Red Raiders' post-season hopes alive.

Sidney had a good start, and after Cozad started on the Sidney 36 yard line and drove to the Sidney 27 yard line, the defense held and forced a 42 yard field goal attempt that was missed. Sidney took over on their own 20 yard line and drove the field, with junior quarterback Isak Doty connecting with sophomore wide receiver Landon Riddle twice, first for a 17 yard gain and then for a 50 yard gain to bring Sidney down to the Haymaker's 13 yard line. Doty then found senior Austin Roelle in the end zone for a touchdown to put the Raiders up 7-to-0 early in the game.

The Haymakers answered immediately, and on their third play from scrimmage they scored when sophomore quarterback Noah Shoemaker found senior Isaac White for a 53 yard touchdown pass to knot the score at 7-to-7.

Sidney was able to score again in the second quarter after junior Boone Hicks recovered a Cozad fumble at the Haymakers' 49 yard line. Junior running back Luke Holly then broke open a 37 yard touchdown run to open a 13-to-7 lead after the extra point attempt was missed. The Haymakers threatened at the end of the second quarter when junior Dreu White intercepted an Isak Doty pass and set up the Cozad offense at the Red Raider 15 yard line. With time winding down in the half, Sidney sophomore Landon Riddle was able to intercept a pass at the one yard line to end the half and preserve the Sidney 13-to-7 lead.

Sidney had momentum, but the Raiders were unable to land a knockout blow on the Haymakers in the third quarter, despite driving inside the Cozad 20 yard line on two possessions. Both series ended with turnovers on downs, keeping the score at 13-to-7. But the Sidney defense responded, shutting down the Cozad offense in the quarter, holding them to just 33 yards.

Sidney scored one more time late in the fourth quarter, after another missed Cozad field goal attempt from 38 yards out. Sidney took over and drove 80 yards on 10 plays, and ended the drive with a 13 yard touchdown run by Holly. Sidney then held off Cozad to secure the 19-to-7 victory.

Sidney moves to 3-and-4 on the season while the Haymakers drop to 3-and-4 on the year. The win keeps the Red Raiders in the post-season hunt, with Ogallala visiting Sidney for a Friday game that kicks off at 6 p.m.

Holly had an outstanding night, carrying the ball 24 times for 166 yards and two touchdowns while Doty completed 8 of 20 passes for 111 yards and a touchdown. Doty also rushed 23 times for 92 yards. The Sidney defense was outstanding, holding the Haymakers to under 100 yards in the second half.