Italy — The Sunnyvale Raiders fired their cannon to rattle Willis Field but on the opening kickoff, Italy’s version of a cannon, senior kick returner Chase Hamilton, unloaded on a Raider tackler during a collision at the Italy 32-yard line. The game was then halted and after a 20-minute delay and the injured Raider was carted off and was later diagnosed with a Grade 3 concussion, the most severe.

Sunnyvale is stunned a bit and the Gladiators quickly take advantage. Three runs by senior tailback Ryheem Walker, who is currently the 9th leading rusher in the state of Texas from 1A-5A, a pass-interfernece call and a 12-yard catch by senior receiver Cole Hopkins, setup an 11-yard touchdown run and pylon dive by junior quarterback Eric Carson to give Italy a 6-0 advantage. Justin Wood snaps to Hopkins who holds for Braulio Luna and the point-after kick is good, Italy leads 7-0 with 9:01 still to play in the first-quarter.

Sunnyvale answers Italy’s challenge and connects on a 24-yard touchdown pass at the 6:01 mark to tie the game 7-7 and get a little courage back.

Italy’s next drive stalls and Hopkins punts into the end zone with 2:10 on the clock. Sunnyvale, thanks to a tackle by Cody Medrano, a quarterback pressure by Trevon Robertson and a tackle by Hamilton, is forced to punt it right back to Italy with :13 left in the quarter. Italy gains 4-yards to midfield to end the first.

Italy continues to drive but a pass from Carson intended for Robertson is picked off by Sunnyvale in the end zone and the Raiders take over at their own 20-yard line with 10:22 left in the second-quarter. The Raiders drive into Gladiator territory but Walker intercepts and returns control of the ball back to Italy at Sunnyvale’s 40-yard line, 7:03 showing. Carson keeps for 5-yards to setup a 35-yard touchdown run by Walker. Luna’s kick is good and Italy regains the lead 14-7.

Sunnyvale retaliates and marches down the field to the 2-yard where junior nose guard Hank Seabolt makes the tackle. Sunnyvale punches it across the goal line on a quarterback keeper to make the score 14-13. The Raider P.A.T. is good and the score is tied 14-14 with 4:08 remaining in the first half and remains tied into the halftime break.

Sunnyvale receives the second-half kickoff from Luna and mounts another long drive down to Italy’s 20-yard line. Kevin Roldan recovers a fumble at the 16-yard line and Italy takes over with 8:29 on the clock. Italy heads toward Sunnyvale’s goal line with runs by Walker and Carson. Walker reaches the Raider 18-yard line but the Gladiators march backwards after a sack and a tackle for a loss. Hopkins punts the ball into the Raider end zone.

Sunnyvale manages to score their third touchdown to take a 21-14 lead before the end of the third. Italy’s confidence never waivers and they continue to fight. Both sides jab away until Carson hits Hokpins with a 26-yard pass completion to the Raider 23-yard line. Carson takes the snap from Zain Byers and fellow offensive lineman Zackery Boykin, Darol Mayberry, Medrano and Roldan open a lane for Carson who scampers to the Raider 9-yard line.

Carson connects with Robertson in the end zone but the catch is ruled out-of-bounds. Carson covers a loose ball in Italy’s backfield to bring up 2nd and goal from the 16-yard line with 4:48 to play. Italy is unable to score and tie and the Raiders take over.

Sunnyvale keeps possession for a spell before punting it away. Italy returns to offense but there is little time remaining and Sunnyvale hangs on for the win 21-14. Fans from both sides talked after the game and agreed it was a fun game to watch. Italy played well against the larger 2A Raiders but just came up a bit short of a victory. Head coach Hank Hollywood and his staff have the team pointed in the right direction despite what their 1-2 record might suggest.

Tonight’s game against 1A Hubbard will be a good test as well so you do not want to miss this one. Hubbard was ranked in the 1A top ten to start the 2012 season. Tonight’s home game starts at 7:30 p.m.

Go Gladiators!

More Photos