Ravenwood loses state title game in OT
A swift punch in the mouth is what Ravenwood gave the Maryville Rebels in tonights 6A title game. To some the Raptors came in as underdogs but after watching the Raptors all year long we knew that their high powered offense and unforgiving defense was going to be a lot for the Rebels to handle. Ravenwood came out and put up 28 very quick points in the first quarter alone. The team, the fans and the coaches seemed determined to win this game in a convincing fashion. The Raptors fans were so loud that you would have thought that you were at a UT home game! Wide receiver Van Jefferson accounted for a Raptors 63 yard TD reception and a TD pass to quarterback Cole Brown on a flee flicker. The Maryville offense had a very hard time figuring how to advance the ball against the Raptors defense led by Seniors Bryan McKay and William Frawley. However in the second half of the game the Rebels managed to knot the game up at 28 a piece with less than 5 minutes to go in the game. Ravenwood managed the clock very well on their final drive in regulation taking over after a Rebels fumble on Ravenwoods 13 yard line. The final play in the 4th quarter was a 32 yard blocked field goal attempt by the Rebels that sent the game into overtime.
In overtime the Rebels scored on their first possession and followed with the extra point to put some pressure on the Raptors. Ravenwood then scored on their first play from scrimmage in the overtime period on a 10 yard pass from Cole Brown to Austin Percy who made a heck of a catch in the corner of the end-zone. Ravenwood then faced the decision of kicking for the tie or going for the win. When all was said and done the Rebels pulled out the win after intercepting Cole Browns pass attempt in the end-zone. Final Score 35-34 Maryville.
As members of the media we usually remain unbiased as we follow teams throughout the year….however after growing so close to such great young men and coaches on the Raptors and Burros teams this year we feel their pain after such close loses in these 2014 BCBS games!