Scoring

It was just pointed out to me last night that yesterday was the third shut out in a row for the Red Raiders. Well whaddaya know. So I took another look at the game scoring this year and apparently the Raiders are a damn fine team. Nobody has scored on them at all since Woodbury back on Oct. 7th. In 7 games they've only given up 42 points. That averages out to be a mere 6 points a game (check the math). Impressive.

I really like the fellas chances of going undefeated in the Groups AND THE REST OF THE REGULAR SEASON! There, I said it. Shoot me. Why not? I honestly don't think that any team that the Raiders may/will face is any more talented or better coached than they are.

The beauty of this team is that opposed to past Paulsboro teams, there is no single standout, do all athlete. Every game is a TEAM effort, win or lose. It's been done before. The best example is the year after Kevie graduated. The Colonial Conference teams were salivating because their logic said that without Kevie, Paulsboro couldn't do it. Ahhhh. That was 1996's season, right in the middle of "the streak". And guess what folks, the streak didn't end there. So it can be done.

The question for the fellas is.....will it get done? What are each of you willing to do, to give, to this team to make your mark? How are you going to go beyond what's expected of you? With that, I'll leave you with two of the most profound words I've ever heard......

second sucks.

Phewwww!

I would first like to offer my condolences to the Hester family. A close family member passed away recently and my prayers are with them.

On to the game. Paulsboro 25 - Gateway 0. Thank God there's a second half in football. The score was 6-0 with only 1:37 left in the 2nd quarter. Gerald Hodges (QB) scored that first TD. I was beginning to think it was the Audubon game all over again.

Gateway had a really nice opening drive and that's about it. Nothing really worked for them.

Here's the game scoring:

Hodges TD at 1:37 left in 2nd quarter. PAT missed. 6-0 Raiders

10:53 left in the third, Hodges returns a punt to the 2 yd line. 10:50 mark, Hamilton runs it in from the 2 putting the Raiders up 12-0. 2 point conversion by Shane Mitchell no good. Still 12-0.

3:18 to go in the third, first and goal on the 7, Hodges takes it in. Paulsboro 1, Gateway nothin.
2 point conversion pass play fails, (flag on the play against the Raiders, declined) 18-0.

Get your fours up!

10:24 to go in the 4th, Mears scores on a 40+ yd run on 3rd and 11. Paulsboro goes up 24-0. The extra point kick by Polimeni is up, its good, Raiders 25, Gateway nada.

Gateway has the ball but with 9:24 left in the game, Shane Mitchell picks off the Gators pass, Paulsboro takes possession.

With 9:06 left in the game, Paulsboro started shuffling personnel. Billy Brammel took the helm at QB, Ra'Chard Braxton was the ball carrier and Chuck Blasetto: wide reveiver. On defense, Chuck Blasetto: Corner and got credit for a tackle!

I'm pretty sure everybody got in the game today - credit to the coaches. Very few penalties, credit everybody.

With today's win, the Mighty Mighty Red Raiders clinched a Colonial Conference Patriot Division Championship - alone. Again! I repeat.....phewwwwwww!

Good luck to the Gators next week in their bid for a playoff berth. Good luck to the Raiders against the Haddon Township Hawks. Go Big Red!

Homecoming Game

This is the first time I can ever recall a Paulsboro home game being rescheduled - for any reason. From what I heard though, the field was an absolute swamp this morning and really would have been dangerous for the kids. So Sunday at 1:00pm it is. As of right now, it's my plan to be there. Not in my usual seat but lurking nearby. Hehehe.

Apparently the other teams in the Colonial Conference didn't bother to play as expected this weekend. Haddonfield blanked Lindenwold, Haddon Heights took out Collingswood and the Hawks dropped Sterling. Maybe the planets weren't aligned right or something. I just think it goes to show the level of competition in this Conference can never be taken for granted.

That being said, I hope the fellas enjoyed Homecoming tonight but by 1:00pm tomorrow afternoon, they better have their minds right. Gateway is in the playoff race so they'll be coming to play. They don't care that we're the Mighty Mighty Raiders - they're going to play to win.

I'll be reporting on all the game details when I get home. I may call my new friend from Glassboro and give him regular, live updates on the happenings so he can report it on the SJ Football forum (link is on the Sports Home page). If you haven't heard from me here by 6:00pm - I've closed up shop and am in a deep state of depression.

Hope to see you at the game!

Homecoming vs Gateway

This Saturday will be Paulsboro's Homecoming game. Kick-off is scheduled for 12:30 pm. It's also the game where we honor and celebrate the athletes inducted into this year's class of the PHS Hall of Fame. Pregame parade featuring the King and Queen and their respective courts. Tradition dictates that we win this game. So what am I worried about? Maybe worried is the wrong word. Well, whatever the word is, I'm it. This is a big game for the Gators - playoff implications. I'd love to just write them off and put a W in the win column today but I don't think that's wise. Their wins come against Haddon Township, Audubon and Lindenwold. The same Lindenwold that crushed Woodbury 28-6, who dismantled Haddonfield 31-0, who handed the Raiders their only loss 14-11. See where I'm going? I'm starting to sound like Coach Howard who gives respect to every team he plays, every week, no matter what their record is. I don't think he's ever looked beyond the next game. Which is points in the Raiders favor. He'll have the fellas ready - the rest is up to the fellas.

Which brings me back to Saturday. In the immortal words of Mrs Voge, "Get'em early RED!" Please!

Welcome!

This will be where I will post my views on Paulsboro Red Raider Football and related topics. Remember, these are just my opinions and no-one else's. I am responsible for the content of this blog and I do not represent PHS or it's staff. Feel free to post your comments. Enjoy the rest of the season.

tru