The Raptors fans work to pump up the team before the game.

By KELLY GILFILLAN
Brentwood Home Page
Photos by Jodi Rall & Alexa Goss
Ravenwood High School’s first home game was a thriller but the ending was a tough one for the Raptors. 

RHS held Goodpasture High School on the first drive and after taking possession, fumbled on the first play.  The Cougars converted on that second possession and scored their first touchdown with 8:10 left in the first quarter on a fade route to the back of the end zone.

The Raptors first score came with 3:36 left in the first quarter when quarterback Keegan Leyrer completed a pass to #3 Payne Shanafelt.  Michael Giangreco completed the first PAT bringing the score to 7-7.

During Goodpasture’s next possession, the Cougars had three first down conversions and time ran out for the quarter.  GHS lost their momentum with the delay of game due to a malfunctioning play clock and turned the ball over to RHS.

RHS maintained possession of the ball converting on a fourth and two with an Anthony Jones carry.  The second touchdown came with a completed pass from Leyrer to #35 Andrew Cash with 6:54 left in the half.

With 2:26 left in the half, RHS had the Cougars backed up for a punt.  Damien Hatten had a blocked punt recovered midair by

Cash.  RHS’ Jones converted for a touchdown with a six yard run leaving the score 21-7 with 2:11 in the half.

After a long 63 yard pass, the Cougars were sitting on the three yard line with 1:18 left in the half.  Arrington carried the ball from first and goal on the three bringing the game to RHS 21 and GHS 14.  On the kickoff, GHS gained possession once again with an onsides kick on the 36 yard line.  After three first downs, the Cougars were looking at 3.4 seconds on the clock at fourth and ten.  The Cougars went up the middle with an incomplete pass as time ran out leaving the half time score 21-14 RHS.

RHS came out strong in the second half and with 10:36 left in the third quarter Leyrer completed a long pass to Cash leaving the Raptors on the six yard line.  At first and goal, RHS made three attempts when the Cougars had a penalty leaving the Raptors third and one to goal.  Jones made the final one yard run and Giangreco completed the PAT leaving the score 28-14.

Goodpasture answered strongly with a 57 yard pass to put the Cougars on the 25 yard line leading to a 13 yard touchdown run followed by a good PAT.  The score of 28-21 with 6:38 on the clock.  RHS recovered the ball after a squib kick but turned the ball back over to the Cougars through an interception.

In less than two minutes, GHS was scoring their fourth touchdown tying the game 28-28 with a two yard run and a good PAT.

Neither team scored until the end of the fourth quarter when both scored within 21 seconds of each other.  Goodpasture scored with 1:25 left in the game with a 14 yard carry.  RHS answered with 1:04 in the game with a quarterback keep by Leyrer for 13 yards.  Both teams converted the PAT leaving the score 35 all.  RHS held the Cougars sending the game in to overtime.

GHS scored on their first possession of overtime with a one yard run.  After four downs, the Raptors were unable to match the touchdown leaving the final 42-35.