(Bridgman, MI) - The Red Arrow Raiders were well within striking distance at halftime, but Bridgman showed why they've remained undefeated this high school football season.

 

The Bees defeated the Raiders 30-to-8 in an at-times-rainy homecoming game at River Valley High School on Friday, October 13th.

 

Bridgman, having trouble moving the ball, led 13-0 early in the second quarter when the defense for the Raiders came up with a big play.

 

Jaquan Pierce blocked a punt, recovered the ball, and then ran 33 yards for a touchdown for the Raiders, made up of players from River Valley and New Buffalo high schools. 

 

On their next series of downs, the Bees had a pass blocked by defensive lineman Cam Forker, who nearly intercepted the ball with about six minutes before halftime.

 

The Raiders (5-3) then sacked the Bridgman quarterback on a fourth down play.

 

Still training 13-to-8, the defense for the Raiders again held tight after the Bees drove the ball 35 yards to the four-yard line.

 

The time on the first half expired after a Bridgman pass hit the ground, just before reaching the hands of a receiver in the endzone.

 

In the second half, the Raiders, who put up some impressive numbers on offense in most of their previous games, continued to struggle moving the ball.

 

Gradually, the Bees (9-0) pulled away and coasted to victory about halfway through the fourth quarter.

 

Raiders Head Coach Matt Johnson praised his defense for keeping the dynamic Bridgman offense in check for most of the game.

 

“We played very spirited football. It was a physical game. The first half was probably the most competitive half that they’ve had. I felt like we gave them all they could handle,” he said.

 

Johnson wished things would have worked better on offense, which to him was manhandled the entire game.

 

“They are an aggressively defensive team.  We just couldn’t find any sort of rhythm,” he said.

 

Johnson said the offense simulated, in practice, how Bridgman would approach the game defensively, but the faster pace from their physical defenders proved too much.

 

Two of the points scored by Bridgman came from a safety by the defense in the fourth quarter.

 

“Offensively, we needed to do a better job but didn’t get it done,” he said.