Ravenscroft football
Ravens soar over Vikings, 40-6
Although Friday was opening night for Ravenscroft and Northern Vance football teams, the Ravens appeared in mid-season form, recording a 33-point first quarter en route to a convincing 40-6 victory.
Not surprisingly, Ravenscroft assistant coach Preston Machock said he was pleased with the young Ravens' first performance.
“We played well. I can't complain about a 40-6 score," Machock laughed. "Although I do feel that many of the aspects of tonight's game could have been avoided — some points in our game were weak."
However, Ravens' sophomore quarterback Ouinn Billerman — making his first career varsity start — wasn't one of those points which needs work.
With 8:46 left in the first quarter, Billerman completed a pass to junior Dan Lang for an 11-yard gain. A Vikings' facemask penalty allowed the Ravens to acquire another 15 yards, giving Ravenscroft a first down on the 19-yard line. Billerman then connected with senior Hartland Jones on a touchdown pass giving the Ravens — with a successful extra point — a 7-0 lead.
Jones' touchdown apparently ignited the Ravenscroft squad.
On the ensuing kickoff, the Ravens forced and recovered a fumble on the Vikings' return, giving Ravenscroft possession on the 40-yard line. A few plays later, Ravens' kicker Storm Baker successfully kicked a 35-yard field goal.
Ravenscroft's Cole Olive then recorded a safety, and Temple Sloan ran a punt return back 63 yards for a touchdown. With the extra point, the Ravens pulled ahead 19-0.
Senior linebacker Alex Spears recovered yet another Viking fumble moments later, and with 4:11 left in the first quarter, running back Connor Gonet put Ravenscroft on the board with an 8-yard touchdown run.
Gonet added another short touchdown run minutes later, putting the Ravens on top 33-0.
The second quarter started out much the same way as the first, thanks in part to the superb play of the Ravenscroft defense.
While keeping the Vikings off the scoreboard, the Ravens padded their lead as Sloan scored on a 15-yard touchdown run.
At intermission, Ravenscroft led 40-0.
In the second half, Northern Vance tacked on a Branch Jordan 15-yard touchdown run, but the outcome was ever in doubt.
Gonet finished with 21 carries for 141 yards, and two touchdowns. Billerman completed 8 of 13 passes for a total of 117 yards.
Jones led all receivers with 55 yards receiving.
The Ravens' next match-up is at Louisburg Friday, Aug. 28.
