Sports
Athens Stops River Valley’s Comeback Hopes
By: Maggie Shandrick
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Fighting for top spots in the TVC-Ohio and a chance to compete in the postseason, the Raiders (6-3, 3-3) suffered a loss in The Plains from the Bulldogs (7-2, 4-0), losing 25-15.
Defense was dominating on both sides and turnovers were costly in the first half. Athens fumbled the opening kickoff giving River Valley great field position to start the game. The Bulldogs got lucky as the Raiders missed a 34-yard field goal attempt on that drive. The Raider kickers struggled putting points on the board missing two field goals in the first half.
Brendan Sano also threw an interception in the end zone that could have put the Bulldogs up by two touchdowns, but once again the Raiders did not capitalize on the opportunity and were forced to punt the ball away.
Sano completed 9 of his 18 attempts, threw for 127 yards and one touchdown. Athens had 356 total offensive yards.
A fumble in the backfield by River Valley in the second half was picked up by Athens sophomore Gauge Penrod, who took it all the way to the house for the Bulldogs giving them a 13-0 advantage.
The Raiders wasted no time on the ensuing drive and took it down the field in just two plays. Jaykob Mabe punched it in from 3 yards out after a 76-yard kickoff return by Layne Fitch, decreasing the Bulldogs lead by seven.
Patrick Brown completed 14 out his 32 passing attempts, threw for 206 yards and one touchdown.
Tre Craycraft had a big night leading all receivers with nine catches for 130 yards and one touchdown.
Next weekend, the Bulldogs travel to Nelsonville-York for a game that will decide who will come out on top in the TVC-Ohio. The Raiders host Waverly in the last game of the regular season.