Raiders Look for 3-0 Start Against Minden

Sidney's Red Raider Football Team defeated the Gordon-Rushville Mustangs 47-to-19 in Gordon Friday night to improve their season record to 2-and-0, and have a long trip on Friday to face the Minden Whippets next.

The Red Raiders did not have a fast start, giving up a 40 yard run and a touchdown to begin the game. Sidney was able to eventually get their rythm and answered the Mustang's first score to even the game 7-to-7 at the end of the first quarter.

Sidney got on track in the second quarter, putting up 14 unanswered points to go into the half ahead 21-to-7. Sidney put up another 26 points in the second half to earn the lopsided victory. Senior Eli Ahrens led the offense, completing 11 of 15 pases for 218 yards and three touchdowns.

The Mustang's defense keyed on Zak Wieser, holding him to just seven yards on 10 carries, while Ahrens rushed nine times for 101 yards and a touchdown.

After a tight 14-13 win at home against Bridgeport to open the season, the Raiders offense seemed to be in synch against Gordon-Rushville, and ready for their next challenge against the Whippets. After a lightning-delayed start to the game, Sidney head coach Chris Koozer noted both teams were a bit sluggish to start the game, but did not blame the delay for the surprising closeness of their contest with the Bulldogs.

"They were physical and sharp, and surprised us by running a 50 defense (five down linemen) instead of their usual 4-4 defense that we planned for, and we had to change all of our reads", said Koozer.

"Sometimes it's a good thing to struggle a bit and win a game where you're not perfect, you make mistakes, but you still win. Eventually you're going to have adversity, and sometimes the sooner you have it, the sooner the team gets resilient. I think that was a factor last year when we won our first three pretty easily, then didn't respond well when we had adversity", said Koozer.

Minden will be a test for the Raiders, starting with the two and a half bus ride which will be the longest Sidney has this season. Coach Koozer has prepared for a Minden team with a 1-and-1 record, falling 24-to-14 aganst a strong Broken Bow team last week. Led by senior running back Eddie Gonzalez, the Whippets feature a good size offensive line with athletic recievers. The Raiders will have to figure out a way to slow Gonzalez, who ran for 195 yards in the Whippet's loss against Broken Bow.

The Whippet's defense uses a base 4-4 scheme, with good linemen who get penetration, and a secondary led by Gonzalez at cornerback.

Last season, Minden made the trip out to Sidney and after a scorless first quarter, the Red Raiders were able to get on track and run up a 28-to-7 victory. If the Raiders defense can contain Gonzalez on Friday, Sidney should have a good night against the Whippets.