HARD WORK

Upon his arrival at Lueders-Avoca Coach Eric Hearn began teaching the Raider players, parents, fans, and Administrators that hard work pays off. What else would you expect a coach to say? Actions speak louder than words.

This season, the Raiders won their first District Championship in over 40 years. Their efforts in doing so lead them to an encounter with the Strawn Greyhounds last night in a Bi-District game played in Throckmorton. Strawn, a perennial Six-Man powerhouse, that has been ranked this season as high as #4 in the state, entered the contest as a 45 point favorite. The Lone Star Football Network favored Strawn as well but by a much less margin, 12 points to be exact.

The Raiders dug deep enough inside themselves to score the big upset winning the game 40-38. They will meet Bryson in the second round of the playoffs at a place and time TBA.

A victory of this magnitude only comes about by team play. It must be said that two Seniors lead the way last night. Robert Hubbard and Nathan Niehaus both had outstanding games. Both players benefitted from outstanding downfield blocking by team mates. Often one hears that a team and or player is fast or quick. The Raiders or both. I might also add tough as one of their attributes. The Raiders gave up several pounds in a man for man matchup with the Greyhounds. None were more apparent than the matchup of Strawn's #99 senior Zach Hetrick listed at 6'1" 275 lbs and the Raider's #3 Wade Nix at a 105 on a good day.

The game scoring began in an ominous way for the Raiders. Strawn took the lead two minutes into the game by scoring a safety. 2-0 isn't a score you see often in Six-Man football. The Raiders by rule then kicked off to Strawn. The Greyhounds made a very impressive drive deep into Raider territory but didn't finish the drive because of a fumble that Lueders-Avoca recovered. The Raiders quickly moved the ball down the field and Nathan Niehaus capped the drive off with a 23 yard run. A successful PAT pass to Hubbard made the score 7-2 Raiders with 6:37 left in the first quarter.

Strawn answered shortly on a five yard run for a touchdown by Aaron Doyle. Zachary Hetrick made the kick and with 5:01 left in the first quarter the Greyhounds lead 10-7.
Lueders-Avoca came back to score with 3:26 left in the first on a 1 yard run by Hubbard. The PAT was unsuccessful and the Raiders led 13-10. It was a very entertaining 1st quarter of play by both teams but the scoring was not finished as Cole Abbott of Strawn scored on a beautiful 35 yard run. Once again Hetrick made the PAT kick and Strawn regained the lead 18-13 which would be the score at the end of the 1st quarter.

Both teams relied on their respective defenses in the 2nd quarter as each team managed one score. Strawn scored with 5:58 left in the 2nd quarter on a 4 yard touchdown run by Ismail Martinez. The PAT was no good and the Greyhounds led 24-13. It appeared that Strawn was beginning to take control of the game but the Raiders would once again battle back and score with only 22 seconds left in the half on a five yard pass from Niehaus to Chay Sconce. The PAT pass to Tye Jones brought the Raiders to within 4, 24-20 but gave the the Raiders momentum going into the locker room at half. Sometimes, the last couple of minutes in the first half and the first couple of minutes in the second half are the most important moments of a game. True to form with that line of thinking, the Raiders came out and scored with 8:54 left in the third quarter to take the lead 28-24 on a Niehaus pass to Hubbard and a successful PAT kick. With 6:42 left in the third quarter Niehaus again found Hubbard on a 6 yard pass play. Though the kick failed, Lueders-Avoca now lead 34-24. Strawn had let the Raiders hang around too long plus the fact Lueders-Avoca was beginning to believe they could make a game of it.

Momentum is a wonderful thing albeit a fickle thing wandering about to and fro. Strawn, realizing their back was against the wall, came back strong. The Raiders were driving once again but the Greyhounds stop them. Just like that, Bobby Wells breaks loose on a 74 yard run for a touchdown giving the Greyhounds new life. With :40 seconds left in the 3rd quarter Strawn cuts the lead now trailing by 34-30. When momentum comes along, ride it for all it is worth. With 2:27 left in the game Strawn did just that. Wells with a one yard touchdown run and a Hetrick kick the Greyhounds has regained the lead 38-34.

The Raiders drove deep with little time remaining. A flag moved the Raiders Bach from the goal line. A defensive play set them back even farther. 4th down and the Lueders-Avoca team was in a do or die situation. Was there anything left in their tank? With a mere 20 seconds left in the game, Niehaus makes a 15 yard run that scores. The kick is missed but the Raiders reclaimed the lead 40-38. A last ditch effort by Strawn would fall short and a 45 point underdog advances to round two.

This game had everything in it. Touchdowns called back, long plays negated by infractions. Turn over on downs. Fumble recoveries. Timothy Campbell for the Raiders made his presence felt making key recoveries.

In the end,it was hard work and desire. Believe in it.