Raiders season ends in second round of state tourney

The Lake Roosevelt Raiders' football season ended in Kalama in the second round of the state playoff tournament Saturday.

In Kalama, the Raiders played against the Kalama Chinooks, losing 43-0.

"Obviously Saturday didn't turn out how we'd have liked, but we lost to really good football team," Head Coach Tim Rasmussen said. "It was a fantastic opportunity to travel and play on turf and experience what the elite football programs at our level look like. We can use it as a tool to be able to help us grow and develop and understand more of what it's going to take. ... It gives our kids that next step. Now we know what's next, and what we're going to have to commit to in the off season to get ready and prepare and devote ourselves to getting better. If we want to get to that next step, they're going to have to put the work in."

The loss put an end to the Raiders' season with nine wins throughout the season and two losses, total.

"What a fantastic season," Rasmussen said. "To be repeat back-to-back league champions and for the second year in a row to host a state playoff game, and to win one, is an incredible accomplishment for this group of kids," he said, referring to the 19-14 Raider victory over Friday Harbor on Nov. 15.