The stakes were upped for the upcoming 2007 football season as five teams each came to the Hamilton Field Sports Complex to test their offensive, defensive and athletic skills against another opponent. Brighton, Honeoye Falls-Lima, Oakfield-Alabama, Batavia Notre Dame and Perry joined the Raiders on the steamy Hamilton Field turf to test their team skills, which have been worked on over the previous two weeks of pre-season. The Raider coaches, for the most part, appeared cautiously pleased with the team’s effort. Certainly the scrimmage offered those in attendance an opportunity to see the positives for the 2007 Raiders but as always, there are issues that were exposed which will have to be worked on this coming week.

   Gone is last year’s tight offensive line splits and the pound the ball up the middle game plan. This year’s offense has displayed a more spread offense featuring quick hitting running plays and short passes to exploit the opponent’s defense. John Marrozi, Tim Sullivan and Jeremy Wilson all had at times, nice runs. QB Steve Lauffer showed poise as he executed the game plan and mixed up the running plays with short, accurate passes. The more open offense did not preclude the Raiders from abandoning its trademark, pound the ball at you offensive. The offensive line of Nate Anastasi, Tom Gorrow, David Aurand and Bill Figenscher showed the capabilities to grind it out up the middle, opening holes for the hard-running Nate Schiedel and James Sickles. Last year, the Raider offense often faced nine and sometimes ten defensive players in the box, intent on stopping the run. This year’s offensive game plan should make that type of defensive scheme, non-effective.

   On the defensive side of the ball, this year’s smaller defensive line combined with a more physical line-backing package has translated into a significantly quicker as well as a more aggressive defensive style of play. Ends Tim Sullivan, Tom Gomez and Tackles Tom Gorrow and Nate Anastasi were effective against the larger lines seen at the scrimmage. Linebackers Mike Tomasso, Nate Schiedel and Brett Doran turned in a good effort. The defensive secondary composed of Nick Nothnagle, Steve Lauffer and Jeremy Wilson was solid. The good news for the Cal-Mum fans is the whole defense was swarming to the ball carrier and gang tackling well.

   The Raiders were somewhat short handed for the scrimmage with tight end Brian Sinclair missing the scrimmage with a tweaked hamstring and David Fox continues nursing an injured knee. The good news for Cal-Mum is that Sinclair is expected to be available for action this coming week.

   The Raider’s will be the hosting the Cuba-Rushford Rebels this Friday night at the Hamilton Field Sports Complex, in the season opener for both teams. Game time is slated for 7:00 p.m. It’s football time again in Caledonia and its time for the Raider Fans to come out and support the maroon and white. Go Raiders!