Raders 22 Pioneers 13
Journal Times
Racine
BY GERY WOELFEL
Journal Times
RACINE — The Racine Raiders needed someone to step up, and Eric Feest and Chad Svendsen did.
Both Raiders made important defensive plays in the fourth quarter to help the Raiders beat the Midwest (Minn.) Pioneers 22-13 in their regular-season opener Saturday night before a revved-up crowd at Horlick Field.
“The defense responded,’’ Raiders coach Jordan Kopac said. “They made some big plays.’’
Svendsen made his vital play with 12 minutes left and the Raiders clinging to a 16-13 lead. Taking advantage of his 6-foot-5, 320-pound frame, Svendsen burst through the Pioneers’ offensive line from his defensive tackle position to block Dirk Hiesom’s 46-yard field goal attempt.
“I got upfield and then got up,’’ Svendsen said. “And the kick was kind of low, so I was able to block it.’’
It didn’t look like Svendsen’s block would matter, though. After the Raiders were forced to punt on their next possession, the Pioneers moved to the Raiders’ 23-yard line after a nifty 11-yard punt return by Bobby Clark.
Article written by Commissioner on 06.25.06 @ 12:58 AM CST [...more]