Raiders win Homecoming debut

By Garrett Fodor

The Essex Red Raiders played their first game at the new Raider Field  after the last two years during the construction of their new school.

After two years of being forced to play all their games on the road, the grandstands were packed with fans, teachers and alumni. The 30 members who make up the Red Raider senior football team were greeted to an ovation when they hit the field for the first drive.

“We loved the fan support we had tonight,” said linebacker Anthony Schaafsma. “They really helped us evaluate our play to the next level.”

Stepping up and leading the Raider offense on Friday Oct. 9. was returning veteran running back James Morgan. Morgan ran the ball for 150 yards and two touchdowns in the opening half including a pair of 52 yard scores.

Morgan and the Red Raider offense could not take all the credit as the defensive line came up strong. Featuring five returning players from last years team, the defensive unit held General Amherst to seven points and allowed the Bulldogs to enter the Red Zone three times throughout the game.

Morgan said he credits much of his success in the game and throughout the season to his teammates and coaching staff including Rob McElwain and head coach Badi Qawwas.

“I think the preparations we did during the week really helped us out there tonight,” Morgan said. “The team really played great tonight. The blocking the team and I had was great and helped us run the ball the way we did tonight.”

In the end Essex topped General Amherst 40-7 to improve their record to 2-1 on the season.

Despite the strong performance Friday night, Morgan and Schaafsma both reiterated how important it is to stay grounded and acknowledged there was room for improvement.

“I think heading into our game next week it is important to just build off of tonight,” Morgan said. “ We need to keep our intensity up at practise and just continue to play hard and focus on the next game.”