Ravenscroft football
Warriors hold off Ravens
Weather was a significant factor in the Ravenscroft football team's 24-17 loss at Louisburg Friday night. The skies opened up well before kickoff, and the relentless downpour soaked the equipment, players and field.
The Ravens' ball security issues began soon thereafter as the squad bobbled the opening kickoff, but regained possession. Ravenscroft relied heavily on junior running back Connor Gonet, who racked-up a series of sensational first-down runs during the contest. But the Birds’ first drive stalled nonetheless, and their ball-control problems continued.
Ravenscroft’s special teams' unit fumbled the snap, and Louisburg recovered on the 34-yard line. Despite several negative plays pushing the Warriors backward, Rommaine Gobourne managed to slip past the Ravens' defense, and score on a five-yard sprint up the middle.
While the rain really started to pour at the start of the second quarter, the Ravens positioned themselves for a score with a critical fourth-and-one on the six-yard line. But a costly fumble and turnover just short of the goal line eliminated any chance at putting points on the board.
Both teams traded possessions after that, but the Warriors managed to deflect another Ravens' punt and recover the ball at midfield.
Just before halftime Louisburg faked a run to the left, and running back Ervin Hunt raced up the right side 59 yards for the Warriors' second touchdown. The score came with less than 11 second remaining on the clock.
At halftime, Ravenscroft head coach Ned Gonet, his voice hoarse, pleaded with his team to “set the tone on the kickoff.”
The grassy field looked even more like a swamp as play began in the last half. Louisburg’s offense couldn't get moving against Ravenscroft’s energized defense. The Ravens forced a Warriors’ punt, but on their opening offensive play of the half, they fumbled the snap, and Louisburg's Dante Walker scooped up the ball and ran 49 yards for a touchdown.
Following a successful PAT, and the Warriors led 21-0.
But the Shane Bird and the Ravens didn't give up, and the senior returned a punt 53 yards for a touchdown, drawing Ravenscroft with two scores, 21-7.
The Ravens’ defense held the Warriors on their next possession, and forced a punt, which was blocked.
The rain died down a bit, but the Ravens were anything but clear of the storm.
On a first-and-10 from their own 22-yard line, Ravenscroft fumbled a pitch, and Louisburg again seized control. The Ravenscroft defense held the Warriors, who were forced to punt and again the Ravens' feisty special teams unit — spearheaded by senior Hartland Jones — made another block.
The Ravens moved the ball up field, and Gonet plowed his way into the end zone from four yards out, pulling his squad with seven points, 21-14.
The Warriors’ next possession proved to seal the game's outcome, however.
The Warriors broke off a 57-yard run, but failed to scored as Jones broke up a sure touchdown pass. Nonetheless, Louisburg tacked on a successful field-goal attempt.
The rain stopped falling by the start of the fourth quarter, but grey skies continued in Ravenscroft’s backfield with another fumbled snap.
The Ravens maintained possession, however, and with tremendous pass protection from his offensive line, sophomore quarterback Quinn Billerman connected with Bird for a 37-yard pass.
The drive resulted in a 22-yard field goal by junior Storm Baker, and made the score 24-17, Louisburg.
Ravenscroft junior Temple Sloan prevented what could have been a big return on the ensuing kick, and the Warriors couldn't sustain a drive.
But miscommunication resulted in a costly Ravens’ interception, and Louisburg again took control of the ball. The defense held the Warriors to a series of small gains on their next possession, but the Ravens' next drive ran out of time.
Connor Gonet finished with 140 yards rushing on 27 carries, and Billerman completed 4 of 14 passes for 88 yards.
In the end, one of the biggest statistics was turnovers, namely fumbles. Ravenscroft put the ball on the ground three times, losing all three. While Louisburg only fumbled once, and recovered.
“It’s a win we could have got,” Ned Gonet told his team. “It’s a win we should have got.”
Gonet instructed his team to remain focused. “Hold your heads up; keep positive; it’s a long season.”
The 1-1 Ravens host Franklinton Friday, Sept. 4.
