by Theodore Tollefson

Friday night brought about the largest crowd for a Hastings Raiders Football home game this season as the Raiders hosted the South St. Paul Packers for their homecoming game.

The Raiders were the first to get the scoring going for the game on Friday as Raiders quarterback Axel Arnold made a hand off to senior running back Brenden Freiermuth, who ran for a 26yard touchdown. Freiermuth entered the game for the Raiders after starting running back Payton Burow exited the game due to injury.

Following Freiermuth’s touchdown, the Raiders decided not to go for the extra point but to run for a twopoint conversion. Arnold completed the two-point conversion run for the Raiders, making the game 8-0 Raiders at the five-and-ahalf- minute mark in the first quarter.

The Raiders weren’t done scoring before the first quarter ended. With only a minute and a half remaining for the quarter, Arnold was able to complete a pass to senior wide receiver and captain Stephen Reifenberger for a 31-yard catch to complete another touchdown for the Raiders. Senior kicker Rhys Fillion completed the extra point to make the game 15-0 going into the second quarter.

The second quarter was a low scoring affair for both teams, as the Raiders defense was keeping the Packers at bay thanks to an impressive game from junior defensive back Tom Kennedy. Kennedy leading the defense for the Raiders brought the team back into an offensive run that fell short of getting another touchdown. However, the Raiders were close enough in the field goal range that Fillion was able to connect on a 24-yard field goal to put the Raiders up on top 18-0 with four minutes left in the second quarter.

The return from halftime for both teams brought about a scoreless third quarter as Kennedy continued to lead the Raiders defense against the Packers. The start of the fourth quarter began to see a change in pace for the Raiders as the Packers were able to get their first touchdown with 10:34 remaining in the game.

The Raiders were able to prevent the Packers from scoring an extra point, however, as soon as Arnold and the offense returned onto the field. Arnold had dropped a fumble that the Packers were able to recover and drive in for another touchdown to make the game 18-12 with 10:21 remaining in the game. The Packers tried to convert on a two-point conversion of their own, but the Raiders were able to hold them off to keep the game 18-12.

The Packers fumble recovery for a touchdown would be the final scoring of the game as both team’s defenses were able to hold each other off for the remainder of the game. The 18-12 victory for the Raiders brings their overall record to 3-2 on the season.

After the game, Raiders defensive star of the game Kennedy spoke on the team and his own performance for the night.

“I was most proud that all of our players did great doing their job getting everywhere they wanted to be or needed to be. My performance felt great. It really does. It felt great to come back from last week and win a big game at home,” said Kennedy.

Running back Freiermuth also talked after the game on the team’s bounce back from the Raiders previous game against St. Thomas Academy.

“I really feel like the lines got it done on both sides of the ball, especially defensively. Last week, they really got to move us and this week I feel like we just came back aggressive. We wanted it and you could tell by the way the defensive line was moving on. They were getting tired and we’re getting more tackles in the backfield. They weren’t getting much on the run. I really think that was our key to success,” said Freiermuth.

Raiders Football Head Coach Dana Strain chipped in on the team’s victory Friday night and what they have going forward playing Two Rivers on the road this next Saturday, October 9.

“We didn’t play well last week and so it makes for a long week, but we’re excited to get back to it and we came out and played very well in the first half and it showed that we were excited to play. We got a W so we’re happy with the kids’ effort and found a way to get it done and we’re gonna celebrate,” said Strain.

Strain continued by speaking on the improvements in the game against the Packers coming off the loss against St. Thomas Academy.

“Just physically, we got back to what we’ve been doing best. So physically got back to doing what we’ve been doing drills last week. We were more physical in all areas up front in particular. The pile started falling our way and that’s what we’ve been doing prior to last week, and so very pleased to see that,” said Strain.

For stats in the Raiders game against the South St. Paul Packers, the Raiders totaled ten first downs in the game while the Packers only had five. Freiermuth led the Raiders in rushing yards with 89 on the night with 17 carries while also scoring a touchdown on top of the rushing yards. Arnold completed 18 rushing yards on 8 carries.

In his passing game for the homecoming crowd, Arnold attempted 13 passes with six completions including his 31-yard touchdown scoring pass to Refienberger. Arnold did not throw any interceptions in the evening.

Junior wide receiver Rico Cooper led the Raiders in receptions caught with three on the evening making a run of 30 yards total on the evening. Refienberger had two total receptions that he ran for 54 yards and on top of his stellar performance, had an interception in the fourth quarter against the Packers.

Raiders kicker Fillion was perfect on the night again as he converted one extra point and field goal for the Raiders to give the team four of their 18 points on the night.

The Raiders will play their next game on Saturday, October 9 on the road against the Two Rivers Warriors. The Warriors lost to Apple Valley most recently 21-0 and fell to 0-5 on the season. The Raiders game against Two Rivers starts at 1:00 p.m. next Saturday.

Tom Kennedy was the beast of the night for the Raider defense. Kennedy had his name called numerous times on key stops all night long. Photo by Bruce Karnick