Letchworth stuns Raiders 10 - 6
Turnovers once again are the undoing of Cal-Mum

   The Letchworth Indians for the third time in four games have used the same successful formula to defeat Cal-Mum. Make a couple of big plays, play solid defense and take advantage of the Raider turnovers. On this season, for the third game in a row the Raiders put the ball on the carpet and again it cost them a game. Just two big plays registered by the Indians would be all they needed to upset the Raiders.

   The first Letchworth big play, a 50-yard scamper by Indians’ Mike Nevinger early in the 1st quarter, would result in a 26-yard Travis Tones field goal. The second big play, mid-way through the 3rd quarter, a simple toss to the left flat by Travis Tones to Kyle Bacon who broke the Raider tackler and raced down the sidelines for the ultimate winning score. On the night, those two plays accounted for 128 yards of the Indians 195 yards of the total Indians’ offensive yards. The rest of the Indians 67 yards of offense were spread out over the 34 other plays run by Letchworth. You have to give Letchworth credit, they scored enough to win, and the Raiders did not. The Raiders for the third game in a row had the turnover bug with three lost fumbles. Cal-Mum had earlier fashioned an impressive 5 and 0 start for this season while giving the ball away only four times in those first five games. During the three game, end of the year skid, the Raiders turned the ball over eight times. It’s a simple story in football, you turn the ball over, and you loose.

   The Raiders received the opening kickoff and the Indians served notice as they could gain just 5-yard before being forced to punt. Indians’ Mike Nevinger burst through the middle of the Raider defense on the 2nd offensive play by Letchworth. He was not caught until 50-yards later at the CM 15-yard line. The Raider defense stiffened and on 4th down, Travis Tones kicked a 26-yard field goal, giving the Indians an early 3 to 0 lead.

   The Raider offense would take drives deep into Indians’ territory over their next three possessions. Drives that were stopped at the L 12-yard line, L 23-yard line (ended by a fumble) and the L 34 yard line. Three long drives, no points surrendered by Letchworth.

   A poor punt by Letchworth late in the 2nd quarter gave Cal-Mum good field position at the Letchworth 48-yard line. Steve Lauffer hit tight end, Brian Sinclair with a 16-yard look-in pass, giving the Raiders a 1st down at the Letchworth 29-yard line. Jeremy Wilson’s 10-yard run moved the chains to the L 13-yard line. Steve Lauffer would hookup with Jeremy Wilson on anther look-in pass, this one for 11-yards and good for the touchdown. The two-point conversion run was no good and with 0:34 left before half time the Raiders claimed the lead, 6 to 3.

   Both teams went back and forth in the 3rd quarter with neither offense able to move the ball. On Letchworth’s 3rd possession of the 2nd half, Travis Tones tosses a pass out to his left flat, where Kyle Bacon would break a Raider tackle and turn a 7-yard completion into a 78-yard touchdown pass reception. The extra-point kick was good by Tones and the Indians were back on top 10 to 6.

   Visions of last season had to be creeping into the minds of all those in attendance. The Raiders took the ensuing kickoff and could not generate much offense, with the ball at the CM 10-yard line, the Raiders were forced to punt. Mike Tomasso’s 30-yard punt gave the Indians great field position at the CM 40-yard line. The Raiders defense bent a little but did not break and finally forced the Indians to punt. Travis Tones’ punt would be a great one for Letchworth, as it would roll out of bounds at the Cal-Mum 1-yard line. The Raiders were 99 yards from their end zone with 9:13 remaining in the game.

   The Raiders needed a spark and running back Tim Sullivan answered the call. Running hard, he was willing the team to score. Along the way, a critical 4th and 1 was converted to keep the drive going at the Raiders 26-yard line. Jeremy Wilson, Nate Schiedel along with Sullivan kept running hard at the Indians’ defense. Tim Sullivan would break off a 22-yard counter run down to the Indians’ 13-yard line. The Raiders had found an offensive rhythm and were poised to score. With 2:21 left in the game, misfortune would strike as Cal-Mum fumbled the ball and also its last chance to win the game. Letchworth would manage to get a 1st down but were stopped and forced to punt. The Raiders had 43 seconds remaining and hoping for a miracle but instead found another fumble. The Raiders could only watch as the Indians took two knees to finish off the win.

   For the second game in a row, Jeremy Wilson broke 100 yards rushing, coming in with 131 yards in 23 rushing attempts. Tim Sullivan ran for 65 yards in only 10 attempts. Nate Schiedel and Tom Gomez led the Raider defense with 16 tackles apiece. For the Indians, Mike Nevinger ran for 84 yards in 15 attempts. Defensively, Kyle Bacon had 11 tackles followed by Ron Sampson, Ron Konka, Mike Nevinger, Evan Sylor and Drew Evans all with 10 tackles apiece.

   As is customary, it is time to bid farewell to the Class of 2008 seniors. Here is wishing best of luck to all of you, in the future. This years senior class is comprised of: Nick Nothnagle, Steve Lauffer, Tim Sullivan, Nate Schiedel, James Sickles, Tom Gomez, Nate Anastasi, Mke Tomasso, Andrew Philp, Bill Zajac, Brian Parslow and Bill Figenscher. Once a Raider, always a Raider. Go Raiders!

JV's crushed by HFL 49-8
25 October 2007

   Tough night in HFL as JV’s close out season with a 49-8 defeat as HFL finishes unbeaten. Cal-Mum JV’s finish with a successful 6 wins and 2 losses.

JV’s win in Leroy 19-6
17 October 2007

   Cal-Mum broke open a close game with two 3rd quarter TD’s and shutout the Knights in the second half. Tyler Lauffer had 127 yards on 18 carries and one TD. Kenny Fenderson rushes for one TD and intercepted a pass in end zone to halt a second half LeRoy drive. Ben Anastasi was a monster on both sides of the ball.

Final JV game at HFL on 25 October.

Bath pulls away late for 34-14 win over Raiders
Jeremy Wilson stars in tough loss

   For the second week in a row, Raider turnovers and penalties cost Cal-Mum dearly in a game that they could have won. For the first 45 minutes of this game, the two teams looked like two heavy weights pounding away at each other. The Bath Rams and the Raiders battled back and forth all evening long, as every thing from the scoreboard to the stat sheet was close. In a game that was marked by offensive spurts by both teams, it looked like whomever had the ball last, was going to win the game. The game also marked a coming out party of sorts for Raider Jeremy Wilson as he ripped through the Bath defense for 146 yard in 23 carries. Time and time again Wilson burned the Bath defense. Several of Wilson’s runs were the over 10-yards variety, as the Raiders throughout the night relied heavily on his rushing.

   Late in the 4th quarter, the Raiders found themselves trailing by a narrow 21 to 14 score and Bath was driving near mid-field. On a Bath 4th down and short run attempt, at the Raiders’ 40-yard line, the middle of Cal-Mum’s defensive line stuffed the run. In the pileup on the play the ball was stripped from the ball carrier and Raider defensive end, Tom Gomez came away with it. With 5:52 left in the contest, the Raider offense was back in business as the Ram turnover seemed to be just what the Raiders needed to pull out the victory. Following an initial 1st down, the Raiders would then stumble, as they could not makeup the loss of yardage from an on illegal procedure penalty. On a 4th down and short at CM 47-yard line Nate Schiedel’s run up the middle would come up just short, giving the ball back to the Rams.

   From this point forward, things just spun out of control for the Raiders. Bath now had possession of the ball with only 3:10 remaining on the clock and the Raiders were desperately looking to strip the ball, for that last chance to pull the game out. Bath’s star running back, Andre McCloud was quickly dropped for a 7-yard loss on Bath’s 1st offensive play. He would then stamp his name on this game as on the next play as he would take the Bath counter-play 57-yards to the house, breaking through several players, attempting to strip the ball. With 2:59 left in the game, Bath had broken the game open and held a 27 to 14 lead. The last three minutes of this game were a just nightmare for Cal-Mum as every thing that could go wrong for Cal-Mum, went wrong, as every play seemed to go Bath’s way.

   The game started out inauspiciously for Cal-Mum as Nick Nothnagle was hit hard on the opening kickoff, forcing a fumble that was recovered by Bath. Two plays later, Andre McCloud made the Raiders pay for the turnover as he burned the Raider defense on a counter-play and raced 37 yards to the Cal-Mum end zone. Brad York’s extra-point kick was good and less than a minute into the game, Cal-Mum was trailing Bath, 7 to 0.

   The Raiders quickly showed their character as they opened their first series following the second kickoff return, to the CM 43-yard line. Jeremy Wilson ripped off a 17-yard run down to Bath’s 40-yard line. Nate Schiedel and Jon Marozzi runs would move the ball to the Rams 28-yard line. A Schiedel run followed by a Wilson run combined for another 1st down at the Bath 14-yard line. Jeremy Wilson took the ball the final 14 yards to pay dirt and with Jon Marozzi’s 2-point conversion run, Cal-Mum gained the lead, 8 to 6.

   Neither Bath nor Cal-Mum could do much with their next possessions and with 54 seconds left in the 1st quarter, Bath took over at their 31 yard line. Andre McCloud took a pitch to the right, met a host of Raiders, reversed his field and broke a tackle and picked up 20 yards to the CM 42-yard line, ending the 1st quarter. Runs by McCloud and Bath fullback Cody Hutchingson, moved the ball to the Raiders 18-yard line. Andre McCloud then took the ball the final 18 yards, into the Raider end zone, QB Jake Kuver took the rollout into the end zone for the two-point conversion giving the Rams a 15 to 8 lead.

   Midway through the 2nd quarter, a nice punt by Mike Tomasso would pin Bath deep in its territory at the Rams’ 18-yard line. The Raiders’ defense responded, forcing Bath into a negative play and then forcing the Rams to finally punt the ball from the Bath 10-yard line. With 2:46 remaining, the Raiders had excellent field position at the Bath 46-yard line. Steve Lauffer immediately found tight-end Brian Sinclair open for an 11-yard gain to the Bath 34-yard line. Nate Schiedel’s 6-yard gain is negated by an illegal procedure penalty on the next play. The Raiders eventually did move the ball to the Bath 10-yard line but a 4th down, a pass to Brian Sinclair was broken up in the end zone by the Bath defender with only 10 seconds remaining in the half.

   Bath raised the ante early in the 2nd half when McCloud struck again on a 25-yard run with 2:46 gone in the half and gave Bath a 21 to 8 advantage. The Raiders once again responded to the challenge with an 11-play drive. Starting at the Raider 32-yard line. On a 3rd down and 9 situation Jeremy Wilson manages a 22 yard gain right up the center of the Bath defense, to the Bath 39-yard line. On the next series of downs, Cal-Mum faced a 4th down and 1 to go at the Bath 35. Jeremy has another 22 yard run all the way down to the Bath 13-yard line. The Raiders pounded away until Nate Schiedel went over from the 2-yard line, cutting the Rams lead to 21 to 14 with 3:36 remaining in the 3rd quarter.

   Play would go back and forth in the game until Tom Gomez’s recovery mid-way through the 4th quarter gave the Raiders hope for victory. The Raiders failure to press the offensive advantage and Andre McCloud’s subsequent 54-yard TD run sealed the Raiders fate.

   Following McCloud’s TD run, things went from bad to worse as Bath’s kickoff squirted between the Raiders’ deep kickoff return men. By the time Jeremy Wilson finally corralled the ball at the Raiders’ 10-yard line, the Bath kickoff team, quickly swarmed him under. A frustrated Raider offense would struggle and finally were forced to punt the ball back to Bath. A decent 34-yard Tomasso punt would still give the Rams good field position at the CM 44-yard line. It only took two plays for the Rams to burst through the Raiders defense as Jake Kuver sprinted 25-yards untouched into the end zone for a 34 to 14 advantage

   As if the 2nd TD in less than two minutes was painful enough, the ensuing kickoff brought more despair for the Raiders as the kick bounce off a Raider up-man and bounced right back to the Bath kickoff team, recovering at the CM 44-yard line. The Raiders’ were by then a beaten team. Bath would take two knees to finish off the game.

   In the end, it was just too much Andre McCloud for the Raiders to contend with. The ultra-quick scat back gave the Raiders fits all night and he was most definitely the main cause for the Raiders’ demise. The Raiders must push through this defeat and get ready for the sectionals. Waiting in the wings will be the revenge seeking Letchworth Indians. Cal-Mum will host the Indians this coming Friday night at Hamilton Field Sports Complex at 7:00 p.m. The Raiders will need to focus better, cut down on the penalties and get that nasty attitude back, after their erratic play the past two games, it should be a top priority. Make no mistake, the Raiders could have won, the Bath game. They need to use this loss as impetus to correct the mistakes of the past two weeks. The slate is now clean. It’s Sectional time, first up, Letchworth. Go Raiders!

Note: JV Game at Leroy is on Wednesday October 17, 2007
(originally on schedule as 10/18/07)

LeRoy stops Raiders, 21 to 6
Strong LeRoy squad + Raider penalties and turnovers = loss

   While things are never quite as simple in a football game as the equation above might suggest, much of what transpired Friday night at Hamilton Field falls into this formula. Is LeRoy a big, strong, veteran team? Absolutely! Did the Raiders time and time again put themselves into bad situations because of penalties and turnovers? Most definitely! It was never more evident than late in the 4th quarter, with LeRoy clinging to a slim 14 to 6 lead and having possession of the ball around mid-field. An illegal procedure call against the Knights moved the ball back 5-yards, making it a 2nd down and an 18 yards to go situation from the LeRoy 38-yard line. The Raiders were then called for two consecutive encroachment penalties, which moved the ball back to a more manageable 2nd and 8, which the Knights would eventually convert into a 1st down, keeping the ball possession, wasting more clock before eventually scoring with little time left on the clock.

   This game is now over and the results are in the books. The question that must be asked now, can the Raiders beat LeRoy? No question, yes! The Raiders, if they eliminate the penalties, keeping them out of obvious passing situations and if they do a little better job of running the ball, they are more than capable of defeating the Knights. The hard-hitting defense for Cal-Mum kept the high powered offense of LeRoy in check for most of the night. Round one of this year’s series goes to LeRoy. If the Raiders anything to say about it, you can be sure that round two will be coming up soon!

   The Raiders in fact had only 12 offensive plays in the 2nd half, as the Oatkan Knights controlled the ball for 17:44 of the 24:00 minutes of the 2nd half. Still the Raiders were in the game until the final 0:34 seconds, when Travis Fenstermaker finally sealed the game when he hit an open Mike Humphrey in the end zone, for a touchdown.

   The 1st half of the game saw two excellent football teams slug it out in front of a large boisterous crowd. Though the Knights controlled the line of scrimmage with their huge personnel up front, the Raiders were able to mix up the offense, making key plays, keeping themselves right in the thick of the game.

   The Raiders took the opening kickoff and drove down to the LeRoy 31-yard line. LeRoy’s defense would stiffen, forcing the Raiders to punt. Mike Tomasso’s punt would pin LeRoy deep, going out of bounds at the LeRoy 6-yard line. The Knights could do little with the possession and were forced to punt from the LR 20-yard line. Travis Fenstermaker’s booming 52-yard punt was run down and returned by Raider, Jeremy Wilson, to the CM 38-yard line.

   LeRoy would take advantage of Cal-Mum’s first costly miscue as Marcus Epps recovered a Raider fumble at the CM 31-yard line. LeRoy’s offense quickly went to work as Ian Humphrey’s 12-yard sweep was followed by a second 8-yard sweep to the left, which moved the ball to the CM 5-yard line. Brady Bonaquisti ended the drive when he took the ball in for the score on a 2-yard run up the middle, giving LeRoy the early lead. Travis Fenstermaker’s extra-point attempt was good and with 0:34 left on the clock in the 1st quarter, LeRoy was on top 7 to 0.

   Cal-Mum needed to respond to the LeRoy score as the Raider’s third offensive possession would begin at the CM 33-yard line. Steve Lauffer would find Nate Schiedel open in the right flat, Schiedel would make the most of the pass reception as he would rumble 32-yards, down to the LeRoy 24-yard line. A 4th down, pass interference penalty on LeRoy would give the Raiders even better field position at the LR 12-yard line. Steve Lauffer would then find Nick Nothnagle open in the right side of the end zone for a 16-yard scoring pass. The two-point conversion pass was no good and with 9:24 remaining in the half, the Raiders were back in the game but they still trailed LeRoy, 7 to 6.

   Neither team could do much with their next two possessions as the defenses dominated the other team’s offense. Late in the half, the Raiders would penetrate down to the LeRoy 21-yard line but with only seconds on the clock, the Raiders ran the ball, content to go the half-time trailing only 7 to 6.

   The 1st half was done, the 2nd half was a different matter though. Looking back on the game, the 2nd half of the game started with one of those freakish plays that have been the signature of the most recent Cal-Mum-LeRoy games, plays which as of late, have been to the detriment of Cal-Mum. LeRoy was facing a 3rd down and 9 to go at the CM 39-yard line. LeRoy quarterback Travis Fenstermaker was getting strong pressure when he threw what could be described as a "wounded duck", a wobbly ball with a high trajectory. A wide opened Mike Humphrey, the intended receiver, stumbled and fell to the ground but still managed to reach out and catch the ball, making the circus catch. Then adding insults to injury, the Raiders’ were flagged for a personal foul penalty for hitting Humphrey while he was on the ground. This strange sequence of event was immediately followed by a 17-yard sweep by Ian Humphrey down to near the goal line, which after an officials’ huddle for a minute, they awarded him the touchdown. Fenstermaker kicked the extra point for a 14 to 6 LeRoy advantage. The 11-play drive took first 6:13 of the 2nd half, off the clock.

   The Raiders were anxious to get the touchdown back and on their next possession, Jeremy Wilson took a pitch and ran to the left, breaking the LeRoy containment, racing down the Raiders’ sideline, before being stopped 37-yards later, at the LeRoy 25-yard line. This drive quickly came to an end, when on the next play, LeRoy’s Mike Humphrey made a pivotal interception, along the sideline at the LeRoy 3-yard line.

   Brady Bonaquisti then got LeRoy out of the shadow of their goal posts with a 35-yard run up the middle. The Raider defense then stopped the LeRoy drive, forcing a punt from the LR 43-yard line. Cal-Mum imploded on its next possession when they fortunately managed to recover their own fumble, loosing yardage and then absorbing a sack by Marcus Epps, forcing the Raiders to kick the ball back to the LeRoy offense. LeRoy likewise could do little with the offensive opportunity and returned the ball to the Raiders at the 20-yard line, following a Fenstermaker punt into the end zone.

   With 8:53 remaining in the game, Cal-Mum was in urgent need of a score. A 3rd down draw play to Jeremy Wilson was good for 14-yards, to the LR 41-yard line. An illegal procedure penalty force the Raiders into an obvious passing situation and Steve Lauffer’s pass was intercepted by Mike Humphrey for the 2nd time in the game, giving LeRoy possession at the Cal-Mum 47-yard line. Nate Schiedel and Mike Tomasso would stuff the first of LeRoy’s running attempt for a loss but this play only set the table for the Raiders late game encroachment penalties and subsequent the 20 yard run by Brady Bonaquisti, which in turn kept the LeRoy drive alive.

   As time was counting down and with under a minute to play, Coach Monacelli began using his time outs in an attempt to some how create a fumble. The Raider’s looking to rip the ball free were caught flat footed by the 6-yard scoring pass from Travis Fenstermaker to Mike Humphrey for the late TD in the closing seconds of the game.

   The Raiders’ were led by offensively by Jeremy Wilson whose 76-yard rushing came in only 9 rushing attempts. Fullback Brady Bonaquisti led LeRoy with 117 yards in 22 rushing attempts. Ian Humphrey followed Bonaquisti with 56 yards in 15 attempts. Steve Lauffer was working on a good game before his last two attempts were picked off. On the night Lauffer was 6 for 12, for 103 passing yards. Brett Doran had two catches for 40-yards, Nick Nothnagle also had two catches, good for 26 yards and a touch down. For the game, LeRoy held a narrow 211 to 209 total net yardage advantage. Defensively, Nate Schiedel continues to impress with his involvement in 23 tackles. Jeremy Wilson also had a busy night with 17 tackles.

   As stated earlier, this one is in the books. It is time now the time to get ready for the Raider’s final regular season opponent, Bath. This will be a character game for both clubs as they both try to prepare for the upcoming Section V tournament on a positive note. Game time is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Friday evening, October 12th in Bath. It is getting close to Sectional time and if Raiders want to get a second chance at the LeRoy Oatkan Knights, it starts this Friday night in Bath. Go Raiders!

JV's down Geneseo in wild 41-20 win
Zack Hinkson KICKS a 22 yard FG

   Nikko Fenderson scores three TD’s (two on interception returns) and Tyler Lauffer rushed for 212 yards on 23 carries (2 TD’s) plus the rare field goal by Zack Hinkson.

Raiders crush Canisteo-Greenwood 61-0
Redskins out: LeRoy on deck

   The Canisteo-Greenwood Redskins were simply crushed by the Cal-Mum Red Raiders. The Redskins who have a combined 8 seniors and juniors on their 28-man roster were severely overmatched going into the contest. It was evident during the first Raider offensive possession that Canisteo-Greenwood did not possess the horses to stop the Raiders. Every snap of the ball by Cal-Mum produced a first down on that 1st drive, as the Raiders easily moved the ball down the field. The Raiders did spread the scoring around in the game as seven different players broke into the end zone for touchdowns. Jon Marozzi led the scoring parade with three scores but it was Nick Nothnagle’s 71-yard interception return as the clock was about to expire in the 1st half that was the most exciting. Taking 2nd place in the thrill department was certainly Jeremy Wilson’s 72-yard punt return for a TD.

   The high expectations of this season’s 5 and 0 start will be tested this coming Friday evening as the Raiders’ long time rival, the LeRoy Oatkan Knights pay a visit to the Hamilton Field Sports Complex. This clash of Titans will have statewide implications in Class C football as the game features the state’s number three ranked Oatkan Knights against the number four ranked, Raiders. As is customary, "The Game" will played in front of a packed house and the bragging right for the next year will once again be on the line. "The Game" is the start of a difficult stretch of competition for Cal-Mum. Following the LeRoy game, the Raiders take a trip down Route 390 to face the explosive Bath-Haverling Rams. The next two games should go a long way in determining how far the Raiders will advance in this year’s post-season competition.

   Out of respect to the Canisteo-Greenwood football program, I shall forego the narrative synopsis of the game. It is apparent that the Redskins were playing shorthanded and it would serve no redeeming purpose for me to document this game. It must be noted that this year’s young Redskin squad will rebound in the future, as many sophomores and even some freshman saw duty and played well. Best of luck for the rest of this year. It is apparent, that as this very young team gets older, the rest of the LCAA teams can expect to see some much stronger Canisteo-Greenwood teams in the years to come.

   Offensively, Jon Marozzi led Cal-Mum on offense with 149 yards in 11 carries, followed by Jeremy Wilson and Nate Schiedel with 77 and 70 yards respectively. As a team the Raiders recorded seventeen 1st downs to go along with 416 yards of rushing offense. Defensively, Nate Schiedel once again led the Raiders with 12 tackles in one half of play. Tom Gomez and Brett Doran both played well with 8 tackles apiece. Nick Nothnagle was again a ball-hawk on defense with two interceptions, one-returned 71 yards for a score. Quentin Clark and Chris Voos also contributed one interception each.

7:00 p.m., Friday night, Hamilton Field, LeRoy game.
Enough said
Be There!

Go Raiders!

Raider JV’s down Notre Dame of Batavia

   Tyler Lauffer led the Raiders with 113 yards on 15 carries with a TD.  Jon Cappotelli added a 70-yard interception return.

Payback: Cal-Mum 48 – Letchworth 20
Raiders soundly defeat the Indians on Senior Night

   Friday night at the Hamilton Field Sports Complex, the Raiders washed away the bad taste that had remained in their mouth for the past eleven months. Memories of last year’s two bitter defeats to the Letchworth Indians were finally exorcised in a dominating offensive and defensive blitz of the Indians, with most of the damage done in the 1st half of the game. The Raiders first five offensive possessions of the game produced five scores. On the defensive side of the ball, the first five Letchworth possessions, each ended in either three plays or an interception. Mid-way through the 2nd quarter the Raiders held a comfortable 41 to 0 cushion. The first half, offensive explosion allowed the Raider coaching staff the luxury of playing the reserves for the entire 2nd half of the ball game.

   The Raiders opened the contest receiving the kickoff and returning it to the Cal-Mum 29-yard line. On the 2nd play from scrimmage, QB Steve Lauffer hit wide-out Brett Doran for a 12-yard gain, good for the 1st down. Jon Marozzi first carry of the night was toss sweep to the left and the run went for big yardage, down to the Letchworth 11-yard line. Lauffer wasted little time letting the Indians regroup as he spotted his fullback, Nate Schiedel past the line of scrimmage on the next play and he hit him with a short pass. Schiedel did the rest as he broke a couple of would-be tacklers and crossed into the end zone for the Raiders first score. Brian Sinclair would get into the scoring column as he made a nice catch in the end zone for the two-point conversion and just 2:09 into the contest the Raiders held the lead at 8 to 0.

   Letchworth’s fortunes on offense would quickly take a turn for the worse when on a 3rd down and passing situation, Indian QB Travis Tones was pressured by Tom Gomez, forcing a bad pass. Nick Nothnagle was the beneficiary of the errant throw as he intercepted the ball. Nothnagle would return the interception all the way back for a Raider score, just beating a desperation tackle by Tones at the goal line. The two-point conversion run was no good as the Raiders lead jumped to 14 to 0.

   Nate Schiedel’s ensuing kick-off went into the Letchworth end zone, giving the Indian’s a drive start at the L-20-yard line. Three plays later and –7 yards to show for their effort, the Indians were forced to punt. A 37-yard punt by Indian’s Travis Tones would give the Raiders good field position at the 50-yard line. On the first play of the drive, Jon Marozzi broke through the line and into the Indians’ secondary where he would out run the Letchworth defenders to the end zone for his second big play of the night and his first score on the evening. The Raiders pass attempt for the two-point conversion was incomplete as the Raiders’ lead swelled to 20 to 0, just 6 minutes into the contest.

   For the 3rd time since the start of the game, the Letchworth offense could not generate a 1st down and were again forced to punt the ball back to the red-hot Raider offense. The poor Indian punt would give Cal-Mum excellent field position again, this time at the CM 47-yard line. A nice 20-yard toss and catch from Steve Lauffer to Nick Nothnagle moved the ball to the Letchworth 26-yard line. Consecutive, Nate Schiedel and Jon Marozzi runs, moved the ball to the L 14-yard line. Nate Schiedel would finish the drive as he blasted through the line and ran into the end zone giving Cal-Mum a 26-point advantage. Tim Sullivan’s two-point conversion run upped the lead to 28 to 0 with still only 2:01 left in the 1st quarter.

   The Raiders had Letchworth on the ropes and on the next Letchworth drive the Raiders moved in for the kill. Nick Nothnagle was once again the player in the right spot. On the 2nd play of the Letchworth drive, Travis Tones was hurried during a pass attempt as strong pressure was applied by the Raider pass rush. The errant pass by Tones was tipped and fell into the hands of Nick Nothnagle at the Letchworth 48-yard line, for Nothnagle’s 2nd interception of the evening. The Raiders offense was in high gear and Lauffer’s 20-yard look-in pass to Brian Sinclair followed by Nate Schiedel’s 10-yard run quickly moved the Raiders to the L 19-yard line. Tim Sullivan would then put this game out of reach for Letchworth with his 3 yard scamper to pay dirt, ending the drive. Though the two-point conversion pass was incomplete, the Raider lead was a safe 34 to 0, with nearly 10 minutes to play before halftime.

   The Raider starters were not finished with Letchworth Indians as for the 5th time since the start of the game the Raider defense stopped the Letchworth offense, again denying the Indians their first, 1st down of the contest. The Raider offense would start its next series at the CM 42-yard line. Jon Marozzi would once again terrorize the Indian’s defense, this time running to the L 33-yard line. Steve Lauffer would finish the drive with a 26-yard scoring pass to Nick Nothnagle. Nate "The Toe" Schiedel’s extra point was good and payback had been exacted from the Letchworth Indians as they were looking squarely at a rout with a score of 41 to 0 with still 6:04 left before halftime.

   To Letchworth credit, they finally put some offense plays together late in the 2nd quarter. Indian’s Mike Nevinger showed great speed as he popped through the Raider defensive line at the CM 42-yard line and he out raced the Cal-Mum defensive backs to the right side of the field and into the Raiders’ end zone. The Indians had finally broken the offensive drought but the damage had already been done. The Indians headed to the locker room at halftime looking at insurmountable 41 to 6 deficit.

   The Raiders opened the 2nd half of the game with the reserves taking the field. The backups proved to be effective early on as they stopped the Indians’ initial possession of the 2nd half, forcing a punt. The Raider’s first 2nd half-offensive possession would start at the CM 26-yard line. For the third time this season, Daryl Mitchell would take a pitch, this time at the Raider 31-yard line, sweep around end, run up the left sideline, break a tackle, keep his balance, and out run the Letchworth defense for the Cal-Mum score. His 69-yard effort along with Schiedel’s extra-point kick would close out the Raider’s scoring on the night with Cal-Mum holding a 48 to 6 advantage on the scoreboard.

   Letchworth’s offense would move the ball consistently against the Raider reserves for the remainder of the game but could not overcome the big Raider lead. Ron Konka’s 8-yard run and Travis Tones pass to Kyle Bacon would narrow the score to a 48 to 14 late in the 3rd quarter. Kyle Bacon would finish the Indians’ scoring with a nice 38-yard run with 4:22 left in the game. The two-point conversion pass failed as the Indians’ final TD made the score 48 to 20. The Indians’ final last-ditch effort to add one more score was snuffed out by a Raiders’ defensive back, Chris Voos whose interception with 0:08 on the clock ended the Letchworth drive. The Raiders took a final knee to end the contest; the Raiders now will turn their attention to the Canisteo-Greenwood Redskins.

   Jon Marozzi, who managed 139 yards of rushing offense in only 6 carries, led the Raider offense. Daryl Mitchell backed up Marozzi’s effort with 96 yards in 11 attempts. Hard running Nate Schiedel finished with 42 yards on 5 carries. Steve Lauffer turned in a workman like performance with a 6 for 8 passing night, good for 89 yards and two touchdowns. Letchworth’s Mike Nevinger was the workhorse for the Indians’ ground game as he ran for 113 yards on 19 carries.

   On the defensive side of the ball, Nate Schiedel was a beast with 13 tackles in less than a half of action. Tim Sullivan and Tom Gomez were both factors with 8 tackles apiece. Mike Tomasso and Jon Grann made the tackle list with each collecting 7. Ball hawking, Nick Nothnagle added to his team leading 4 interceptions with two more picks on the night. On the Letchworth side of the ball, Bobby Sampson and Ron Konka led the Indians with 9 tackles apiece.

   It was also a special night for the Class of 2008 Seniors. All the Cal-Mum Seniors were honored along with their parent during a ceremony prior to the pre-game introductions. The night was especially special for Mike Tomasso as he received the 2007 Tom Callan Award. The Award is named after the late Tom Callan. Tom's vision was centered on the position that goes mostly unnoticed in the papers and newscasts, the offensive line. This award recognizes the special skills of blocking and tackling by a Cal-Mum lineman. Congratulations to Mike Tomasso for earning the 2007 Callan Award.

   The Raider will be carrying a 4 and 0 record into this coming Saturday afternoon’s contest, against the 0 - 4 Canisteo-Greenwood Redskins. The Raiders will be looking to fine-tune its offense and defense as "The Game" is on the horizon. Here hoping for some nice weather for the contest as the Raider Nation take the trip to the Southern Tier for this rare afternoon football game. Go Raiders!