Ravenscroft football
Ravens jump out early, defeat Rams
The Ravenscroft football team was all business in its 34-21 victory over the visiting Franklinton Friday. It was a clear night in north Raleigh, and the Ravens played as crisp as the cool September air.
Ravenscroft jumped out early, scoring less than four minutes after the opening kickoff. Junior running back Connor Gonet torched the defense on a 27-yard TD run, and kicker Storm Baker added the extra point, giving the Ravens an early 7-0 advantage.
On the ensuing Red Rams’ possession, the Ravens’ defense blew-up consecutive plays in the backfield. Ravenscroft junior Temple Sloan punctuated the defensive stand, sacking the Franklinton QB Jamen Allen and forcing a punt.
On the Ravens’ next drive, senior Chase Douglas fumbled the ball on a run up the middle, but recovered his own error, and Ravenscroft maintained control driving down to the 2-yard line.
Gonet then rammed his way into the end zone on the next play, and with the successful PAT, the Ravens raced out to a 14-0 lead.
Franklinton was forced to punt on its next offensive series, and after regaining possession, Ravenscroft QB Quinn Billerman connected with Gonet on a 40-yard screen pass for another touchdown. Shane Bird flattened the lone defender standing in between Gonet and the end zone, and the Ravens flew out to a 20-0 advantage in the first quarter.
The ball changed hands several times in the second quarter, and it looked as though the Ravens’ second offensive drive might stall, faced a third down and 15. But Billerman fought off an attacking defense, and hit receiver Hartland Jones — in stride — for a 68-yard touchdown pass. Kicker Baker Mills nailed the PAT, putting the Ravens up 27-0 at the half.
After intermission, both teams traded penalties and punts, and Ravenscroft appeared on cruise control entering the final quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Jones delivered a bone-crushing hit, which helped kill Franklinton’s opening drive. The Ravens took control, but a 10-yard holding penalty negated another big-gain screen pass to Gonet. On the next play, Billerman connected with Jones for a 19-yard pass, which set up Gonet's 36-yard TD run. The junior went untouched into the end zone, putting the Ravens up 34-0.
Despite its deficit, Franklinton didn't give up, and continued to battle, scoring its first touchdown of the game as Dietrick Mitchell raced 51 yards for a touchdown. The senior delivered a several of stiff-arms along the way to put the Red Rams on the scoreboard.
After a Ravens' three-and-out, Franklinton continued to build momentum as Allen hit Mitchell on a 75-yard gain. Ravenscroft’s Kevin Stewart tackled Mitchell, saving the touchdown, but the Rams' Reggie Williams scored a few plays later, inching closer to the Ravens, 34-14.
With about a minute remaining, Williams tacked on another touchdown run, pulling Franklinton within two scores, but its onside kick failed and the Ravens sealed the victory.
Billerman put together a tremendous game, completing 17 of 28 passes for 302 yards and two touchdowns. Jones finished with six receptions for 116 yards. Connor Gonet tallied 97 yards rushing and another 81 receiving.
“Our offensive game is balanced,” Ravenscroft head coach Ned Gonet said following the win. “We spread the ball to different receivers and runners.”
Gonet attributed much of his team’s success to its stingy defensive play, which began right after kickoff. “We were just mentally prepared,” he said.
Celebrating the win with his teammates in the Ravens; locker room, Connor Gonet praised his team for putting him in a position to succeed.
“It’s my teammates; they give me great blocking; it’s a good group," the junior said.
Gonet went on to explained the camaraderie he shares with his teammates, some of whom he's played with since grade school.
Hartland Jones echoed the theme of camaraderie, and said that he is already looking forward to next week’s game against rival Cardinal Gibbons.
“It’s the most hyped I’ve ever been for a game," he exclaimed.
With the victory, the Ravens improve to 2-1, and visit the Crusaders Friday, Sept. 11, at 7:30 p.m.
