Lancers stick it to Raiders

The Raiders drop to 0-4 after Friday’s loss to the Liberty Lancers 44-13, when they were hampered by inconsistent play and turnovers throughout the game.

On what needs to improve after the loss - “We’ve got to take care of the ball better,” Head Coach Steve Files said, “still too many assignment errors, both offensively and defensively.”

On their first offensive drive, the Raiders scored on a one-yard run by Justus DeWinkler for an end-of-first-quarter score of Raiders 6-Lancers 8.

The Lancers began to take advantage of the Raider turnovers in the second quarter, scoring three touchdowns to make their halftime lead 32-6.

In the second half, Lake Roosevelt’s defense stiffened as the Raiders held the Lancers to only one score offensively.

“Defense was much more aggressive in the second half - that was great to see,” Files said.

On offense, the Raiders scored one more time on a DeWinkler 75-yard run.

The Lancers scored the last touchdown of the game on the ensuing kickoff, which they returned 85 yards for the score.

Even though down big, the Raiders still slogged on, pleasing Coach Files. “Our players stuck together and kept fighting,” he said. “There’s no quit in these Raiders.”

The non-league schedule is over, and on Friday the Raiders will begin Central Washington 2B play at Kittitas, starting at 7 p.m.

When asked what the Raiders needed to do to win on Friday, Files said, “Open the game with tough physical play and great focus, then maintain it for four quarters.”

The Kittitas Coyotes come in with a 1-2 overall record and are 1-0 in league play. Kittitas opened with a 28-24 loss to the Reardan Indians, followed by a loss to Lind-Ritzville, 35-14.

The Coyotes won last week in their league opener over Oroville, 38-14.