TALLAHASSEE – Gene Cox Stadium was split Friday night as two local teams, the Leon Lions and Rickards Raiders, took to the field of play. Attendance favored Leon as they were designated the host team.
The Raiders walked away with their first victory on the young season pushing them to 1-0. Last week a game against visiting Chiles was delayed then later cancelled due to mother nature. The final tally was a 42-14 victory for Rickards. The loss put Leon at 1-1 on the season.
It was an aerial assault by, Alabama State commit, ATH Charlie Kelly and the Raiders offense. The spread attack caused problems all night for the Lions defense.
“Honestly our goal was to run the score up,” chuckled Kelly. “All summer long my receivers and I worked out together. My goal, other than winning a state championship, is to be on first team All-Big Bend,” said Kelly.
Rickards started the game off explosive scoring on three of its four first half possessions. Kelly managed to find WR Kalin Riles for a 66 yard touchdown on the first offensive drive for the Raiders. It followed a 69 yard fumble recovery touchdown run by LB Malcolm Penny.
After the Raiders rattled off 21 unanswered points the Leon Lions responded with points of their own. Running a two QB system with DeAnfernee McGriff and Darius Bradwell put the Raiders defense on their heels. McGriff went on to run in multiple 1 yard scores to put the score at 21-14 with 1:33 left to go in the half.
Kelly rallied his offense and responded with a three play drive over 80 yards to score. A 24 yard touchdown strike to WR Jalen Ashby brought the half to a close. Raiders went in leading 28-14.
Coming out of the half Rickards picked up right where they left off. Scoring on their next two drives, a Kelly scrabble touchdown and a Deion Hogan 4 yard touchdown run, it pushed the Raiders lead to 42-14. Ultimately the score stood until the end becoming the final at Gene Cox.
“Our gameplan was the same as last week. We just want to get our athletes in space and let them produce,” said Rickards head coach Quintin Lewis.
Penalties plagued both teams and both coaches lamented afterwards they would be cleaned up in the coming week of practice.
One of the lone bright spots for the Lions offense was RB Alizay Ramone. He came away with 100 yards of total offense. The defense did manage to come away with a turnover and three sacks.
“These kids played their butts off. It’s my job to prepare better. Call better plays to put my team in a position to win. We played tough and did not give up and that is all I can ask for,” said Tim Cokely, Leon Lions head coach.
Next up for Leon to recover is Strawberry Crest out of Dover, Fla. The Raiders will look to continue success against Crestview. Both games will be next Friday at 7 pm.
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