(New Buffalo, MI) - The Red Arrow Raiders are hoping to extend their winning streak in high school football after beating Eau Claire in an offensive shootout.

 

The Raiders (2-2) defeated the Beavers Friday night 58-44.

 

“I think, overall, we’re moving in the right direction,” said Raiders Head Coach Matt Johnson.

Raiders quarterback Michael Bombin scored four touchdowns while gaining 230 yards rushing on 32 carries. Eli Thomas ran for 138 yards on 21 carries and scored one touchdown. Ben Coffeen scored three touchdowns while racking up 113 yards rushing on 14 carries.

 

The Raiders struck first on a three-yard run into the end zone by Bombin on a quarterback keeper.

 

On the next series of downs, Eau Claire tied the game, but the Raiders, after recapturing the lead, went into halftime ahead 32-22.

 

The Raiders were up by as much as four touchdowns until the fourth quarter, when second-string players on defense began seeing quality playing time.

 

Eau Claire kept their first-string offense on the field, cut into the lead with help from dazzling runs by their quarterback but posed no real threat to the game's outcome.

 

“They’d pulled to within two scores then we’d go up by three scores,” Johnson said.

 

Each team racked up more than 500 yards of total offense.

 

The Raiders, comprised of New Buffalo and River Valley high schools, beat the Twin City Sharks 82-12 the previous week. They play Maple Valley High School from Vermontville at New Buffalo High School on Friday during homecoming.

 

Johnson said he likes his team's chances as long as his players keep working to reduce mental mistakes on the field.

 

“They’ll be a tough team but it should be a good game, hopefully,” Johnson said.

 

Johnson said his players still have difficulty maintaining their focus which has led to significant gains from blown coverages and missed tackles on defense.

 

“In the eight-man game if one guy doesn’t do his job defensively that can have some disastrous effects,” he said.