Northern Raiders Head Coach Steve Kemp called the teamís 13-point performance in a 36-13 loss to the Calgary Broncos, April 27, ìa monkey off our back.î The Raiders had been held scoreless in their three previous games.
However, the team is still searching for their first win of the season.
ìI thought our effort was a heck of a lot better,î said Kemp. ìAfter last week, the boys wanted to show that they were much better and they were better and their effort level was much better. There were a few missed plays and that was the story of the game today.î
Brayden Massey opened the scoring in the first quarter for the Raiders to tie the game at seven. The Broncos scored twice in the second quarter to take a 14-point lead, but Josh Duazo would carry the ball 108 yards to cut the Broncos lead to eight. A two-point conversion attempt after Duazoís touchdown and a fumble recovery with 17 seconds left in the half failed to close the gap, giving the Broncos a 21-13 lead heading into the third quarter.
The missed plays continued to plague the Raidersí drive to catch the Broncos in the fourth quarter. They failed to capitalize on an interception early and a last-minute play led to a dropped pass in the end zone.
Kemp said that offence was one of the areas the team focused on after a 57-0 loss to the Calgary Stampeders, April 19, and that they would build off the 13 points against the Broncos.
ìWe had a talk with the offence after last game,î he said. ìWe got a lot of things out and hashed through some problems. Thereís a lot to build on (from) this game. It was a solid game.î
The win over the Raiders was the Broncosí first of the season, and the Raiders now take over sole possession of last place in the Calgary and Area Midget Football Associationís (CAMFA) Boulton conference.
With two games left in the regular season, thereís a sense of urgency among the team to get its first win before time is up.
ìWeíre a better team than what our record shows and we really want to show that,î said Kemp. ìWeíve got to get more than 13 points on the board. We need to fix our mistakes and play a complete game. Right now, weíre not playing a complete game.î
The Raidersí next game will take place May 3 against the Calgary Mavericks, who are tied with the Calgary Hilltoppers for first place in the Boulton Conference. Kick-off is at 8:30 p.m. at Shouldice Parkís Stampeder Field.
