Raiders Pull Away From Bulldogs, 35-7

GREENBELT – After cruising to an easy road victory in their season opener, the looked rusty early on in their home debut Monday against Bowie.

The Raiders turned the ball over on each of their first two possessions and held just a seven point lead at halftime, but scored three touchdowns in the fourth quarter en route to a 35-7 victory over the Bulldogs.

Monday’s game was originally scheduled for last Saturday, but was postponed after last week’s left many of the county’s fields unplayable.

Raiders' coach Tom Green said the break in routine may have contributed to his team's sloppy start on Monday.

“When you’ve got class and you’re getting kids out of school and the kids were expecting to play on Saturday, it’s just tough,” he said. “I think over the years, we’ve always struggled in Monday games, but they sucked it up... The defense played strong – they only had really that one little drive – so overall I think we played well. If we settle down and do the things we can do well, we’ll be OK.”

threw for 105 yards and three touchdowns to lead Roosevelt, which improved to 2-0 overall and 1-0 against Prince George’s County 4A competition.

Roosevelt was coming off a 35-6 victory in its season opener against Norview High School in Norfolk, Va. The Raiders turned the trip into a mini-getaway of sorts, with Green saying the team spent four hours at the beach and also attending college football games in the area.

Still, several Raiders said it was nice to be back in front of their home crowd.

“It was a good trip and I had fun,” Petty said, “but we’re back here and ready to do business. This is what counts – PG 4A.”

Both teams got off to ragged starts. After (1-1, 1-1) lost a fumble on the first offensive play of the game, Roosevelt took over on the BHS 36-yard line. The Raiders drove down inside the 30 but turned the ball over on downs.

After the Roosevelt defense forced a punt, the Raiders drove all the way down to the Bowie two-yard line. Petty fumbled as he tried to run across the goal line, though, and Bowie recovered in the end zone for a touchback.

The Raiders finally broke the deadlock on their first drive of the second quarter, with Petty running in from a yard out. He added a two-point conversion run to give ERHS an 8-0 lead.

Bowie struck back quickly, with quarterback Keone Clayborn finding receiver Michael Giles for 34-yard touchdown hookup with 4:10 remaining in the half. 

That was as close as the Bulldogs would get, though, as Roosevelt senior running back Jermaine Boykins scored on a 48-yard touchdown run to put his team ahead, 14-7.

“We knew Bowie was a good team and we had to come out here and play hard,” Petty said, “but we came out a little sluggish. I fumbled on the goal line. We’ve got to make plays. There’s just things that we’re supposed to do that we didn’t do in the first half.”

In the fourth quarter, Petty scored from a yard out to cap a 13-play, 61-yard march and effectively put the game out of reach.

Bowie’s ensuing drive ended after a diving interception by Roosevelt senior defensive back Tyrone Temoney.

“My coaches had been telling me to watch out for that route all game,” Temoney said, “so I was there.”

Boykins added his second touchdown on a 24-yard catch-and-run, putting a nice move on a Bowie defensive back near the end.

“The first time I had the ball and I should have made a move but he caught me,” Boykins said. “So when the quarterback gave me it back, I just made a move and scored a touchdown. It felt good.”

Next up for the Raiders is a big showdown with fellow 4A power . The Pumas (2-0), 1-0) beat the Raiders twice last season, .

“It is what it is,” Green said. “Other than the playoff game last year, it’s always been a one or two possession game, and we’re looking forward to it. I know they are, too.”