Special teams, defense shine in Raiders' win

MANSFIELD — With winds blowing at unbearable speeds of up to 35 mph all afternoon during the Region I-4A Division I semifinal, defense and special teams played a big part in the outcome.

Rider inside linebacker Eddie Speight played a key role for the Raiders, too. The senior came up with 10 tackles, but two stood out in turning the game in his team's favor.

Killeen, which trailed 15-7 going into a stiff wind, saw its first punt travel just 13 yards. The Kangaroos elected to go for it from their own 14-yard line with less than a minute left in the first, and it proved costly as Speight stuffed the play after a 2-yard gain.

"We had a tough time in the first quarter punting into the wind," Killeen coach Sam Jones said. "I decided to go for it the one time, and we had the right play called. We just didn't line up right."

A high snap on the Kangaroos' next possession, which saw Dylan McDorman break through the line, gave Speight enough time to wrap up Killeen punter Marvin Henderson for a loss back to the 7-yard line.

"The wind played a big role and their running backs and line were good," Speight said. "They just kept bringing in fresh players, and we just had to keep our composure."

That play would set up a 25-yard field goal attempt by the Raiders, which ended up hitting the uprights.

Speight would also make the game's last tackle to seal Rider's victory.

"We knew at halftime that it was a close game and we had to come out in the second half and fight," Speight said.

Field goal adventure

Cal Johnson connected on a 25-yard field goal after Killeen's fake punt was stopped to give Rider the 18-7 lead with three seconds left in the first. After Rider stopped another punt, Johnson's 25-yard attempt clanked off the right goal post.

"They weren't very favorable conditions with the wind blowing, but you just have to hit the ball," Johnson said. "I think I did all right on the punts and on the field goal that I missed, I was just trying to drive it, but I guess it didn't work that good."

Timeout

Rider used two of its three timeouts in the last two minutes of the first half to force Killeen to either throw the ball or punt into a stiff wind. Cody O'Donnell stopped a Kangaroo option play on a third-and-10 play to force an apparent punt.

"We just had to run to the ball," ODonnell said. "They were a good running team and just had to keep playing, not quit and come together. Going back to regionals feels good. We have to be focused this week and get to the next step."

Spread it around

Killeen used seven different ballcarriers on their opening drive of the game to march 80 yards in 11 plays. All 11 plays on the drive came on the ground as Victor Scott scored on a 4-yard run. Scott's 5-yard pickup on fourth-and-1 preceded his score.

Perfect

Rider improved to 5 for 5 on two-point rushing conversions in the playoffs. The Raiders converted their only chance against Frenship in their playoff opener and then scored on all three running conversions last week against El Paso Chapin.

Quick Strike

Rider ran four plays on the ground in just 37 seconds as quarterback J.T. Barrett kept on three of them for the final 32 yards. That score put Rider up 15-7 with 2:23 left in the first quarter.

Change of pace

Domanic Thrasher, who hadn't carried the ball in the first half of Rider's first two playoff games, picked up 60 yards on four carries in the first half. His work started on the second play from scrimmage when he scampered 38 yards.

DÉJÀ Vu

Just as it did in the first half, Killeen came out and scored a touchdown on their opening drive of the second half. Once again they kept the ball on the ground for all five plays with sophomore Daniel McCants carrying four of them for 68 yards, including 43 yards for the score.