(New Buffalo, MI) - In their high school football opener at New Buffalo, the Red Arrow Raiders were stung by a talented Bridgman team.

 

The first-year team consisting of high school players from New Buffalo and River Valley lost to the Bees 55-14 on Thursday, September 6. Bridgman quarterback Reid Haskins and other weapons on offense for the Bees proved too much for the Raiders down 35-2 at halftime.

 

Haskins scored the first touchdown on a 36-yard quarterback keeper, then after another long rushing gain on Bridgman’s next possession, completed an 11-yard touchdown pass to Jayce Warren at the corner of the end zone.

 

A 20 yard gain by Eli Thomas put the Raiders on their next possession in scoring position. However, quarterback Michael Bombin after rolling out, was stripped of the ball by Warren.

 

Warren recovered the ball and ran 75 yards for a touchdown with just over four minutes left in the first quarter. The quarter ended with a 52-yard touchdown by Haskins, easily slicing his way through and around defenders on a quarterback keeper.

 

Bridgman scored again early in the second quarter when running back Nate Necas took a handoff and zig-zagged his way for a 52-yard touchdown. The Raiders scored their first points on a safety set up by a sack of Haskins by David Fairchild. Haskins then fumbled after taking the snap, and Ben Coffeen recovered the ball.

 

The Bridgman quarterback on the next play dropped back and rolled out, then was tackled in the end zone with three minutes until halftime.

 

The Bees on defense were also impressive in stopping Raiders quarterback Michael Bombin. Bombin, an elusive runner racking up big yardage often from long gains last year, seemed close to breaking several plays until Bridgman defenders quickly closed the holes.

 

The Raiders take on Tri-Unity Christian Saturday at 11 a.m. at River Valley High School.