Great start for another championship season?
The Raiders' opening possession went nowhere and they were forced to punt. On the Hawks first play, quarterback Charlie Campbell hooked up with wide receiver Martez Malone, who was being covered by Raiders' defensive back Will Norwood. Norwood was unable to turn in time and Malone caught the ball and ran in for a 71-yard touchdown, giving the Hawks a 7-0 lead.The Raiders responded by rushing the ball 42 times for 459 yards and ten touchdowns. The defense added an interception return for a touchdown and two safeties. Wide receiver Al Clarke also returned a punt for a touchdown.
Meanwhile, the Hawks were held to -13 total yards after their first offensive play, including minus-five rushing yards in the game.
Bryan Jennings, Jr. led the way for the Raiders with 15 rushes for 163 yards and two touchdowns. Former Green Bay Packer signee J.R. Taylor contributed two touchdowns and 79 yards rushing on just six carries. Running back Eric Ervin, who last played with the Raiders in 2007 and rushed for 14 touchdowns before suffering a compound fracture in his leg, rushed for 80 yards on seven carries. Quarterback Virgil McNeil contributed two rushing touchdowns and running backs Demetrius Thompson and Dante Washington each had one rushing touchdown in the rout.
The game had a running clock for the entire second half. The Raiders rushed for 357 yards in the first half alone on 34 carries. Even with a running clock, they mustered 102 yards on the ground in the second half.
The Raiders have a bye week for the July 4th holiday. They then begin their 2009 North American Football League regular season with a game against the Dubuque Bruisers. That game will take place on Saturday, July 11, at 7 p.m. at Horlick Field.
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