Raiders defeat Rebels

By By Ryan Satcher/staff writer
August 30, 2003
For the second straight season, the Lamar Raiders' football team did what had once seemed impossible they beat the Heidelberg Academy Rebels.
On Friday night at Grey Cobb Field, the Raiders wore down the Rebels in a tough ballgame to take a 21-0 victory to improve to 2-0 for the year.
The Raiders held the Rebels' offense to 89 total yards and just one first down in the second half to take the victory over the MPSA Class A power.
The two teams traded penalties and turnovers early in the ball game. The Raiders drove down to the Rebel 18 yard-line before turning the ball over on downs on their first possession.
The Rebels drove back down the field on Lamar penalties, but fumbled on the Raider 39 yard-line to end the threat.
Lamar finally struck first in the second quarter of the game. The Raiders took over on their own eight yard-line and drove down the field for the score.
Drew Moffett hit David Haggard for a 47-yard gain to move Lamar down the field. Moffett later found Lane Rush for a 38-yard pass play to move the Raiders down to the Heidelberg 10.
After a sack, Moffett found Haggard for a 12-yard touchdown reception. Tommy Edgerton hit the extra point to make the score 7-0.
Lamar was able to drive down the field on its last possession of the first half with a 47-yard pass reception by Blake Olmsted, but couldn't put points on the board and took the 7-0 lead into half.
The Raiders came out in the second half and took over the game. After stopping the Rebels, the Raiders took over on the Heidelberg 38 yard-line.
Eight plays later, Moffett hit Haggard with a 15-yard touchdown pass. Edgerton's extra point gave the Raiders a 14-0 lead with 7:12 left in the third quarter.
After stopping the Rebels quickly, the Raiders took over the ball with good field position and put more points on the board.
Daniel Bennett and Rush carried the ball down the field and Bennett took the ball in from five yards out to extend the Lamar lead.
Edgerton's extra point made the score 21-0 with 3:15 left in the third quarter.
The Rebels did not get a second-half first down until their final possession as the Lamar defense continued to give them trouble. Heidelberg was unable to move down the field and the Raiders took the 21-0 victory.
For the Raiders, Moffett was 18-for-26 on the night and threw for 267 yards. Haggard finished with nine catches for 143 yards and Olmsted finished with 60 receiving yards. Rush had 57 receiving yards to go along with his team-leading 44 rushing yards.
With the loss, Heidelberg finds itself in an unfamiliar position. The Rebels are 0-2 this season and will try to turn their season around as they play host to Central Academy in district play next week.
The Raiders will also start division play as they travel to take on powerful Jackson Prep on Friday.