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Ravenwood 'D' gets it done vs. Independence

Friday’s District 11-AAA game at Independence was expected to be a shootout.

Ravenwood apparently didn’t like the sound of that.

Rising up at all the right times and forcing a string of game-changing turnovers, the Raptors registered a 21-7 victory in a battle of unbeatens.

“The only way to play football at a high level is to play high-level defense,” Ravenwood coach Will Hester said, “and tonight we did that.”

Ravenwood set the tone for its big-play performance in the first quarter when William Frawley returned a blocked punt 15 yards for a touchdown. The Raptors added another touchdown later in the quarter — on a 30-yard pass from Cole Brown to Van Jefferson — to build an early 14-0 lead, and the defense made certain the lead stood up.

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Although Independence quarterback Andrew Bunch completed 25 of 40 passes for 310 yards, Ravenwood surrendered just one touchdown — a 53-yard pass from Bunch to Seth Huner on the Eagles’ first drive of the second half.

“Our defense has carried us all season, and will continue to carry us,” Hester said.


Ravenwood’s Chris Rowland runs the ball during a game at Independence.

Ravenwood quarterback Cole Brown was 12-of-24 passes for 177 yards with two touchdowns. His 35-yard scoring strike to Austin Percy in the second quarter gave Ravenwood a 21-0 lead at the half. Percy finished with five catches for 98 yards in the game, which was played before an overflow crowd.

“This was an extremely tough environment,” Percy said, “but we came up with some big plays. And this win will give us an insane amount of momentum going forward.”

Although Independence moved the ball effectively during several drives in the second half, the Raptors buckled down at key times. They snuffed out one Independence drive by forcing a fumble and ended two other potential scoring opportunities by coming up with interceptions.

“We had our chances,” said Independence coach Scott Blade, “but we fumbled the ball and threw some interceptions — the things we have been able to avoid in our (previous) games. But when you do that against good teams, it’s tough to win.”

Seth Rowland rushed for 62 hard-earned yards on 15 carries for Ravenwood. Andrew Rappe added 59 yards on five carries, including a key 42-yard run in the fourth quarter.

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