OCEAN CITY — Fresh off their bye week, the Ocean City Red Raiders were hoping to start the second half of the season like they did the first, with a win.
Unfortunately, everything that could have gone wrong seemingly did go wrong as they lost to the Winslow Township Eagles 40-6.
This was the Raider’s fourth straight loss to give them a 1-4 record on the season. In each loss, they have given up at least 33 points.
Ocean City was never able to get into rhythm on either side of the ball. Winslow’s deep passes kept the Raider defenenders on their heels, which led to open running lanes for Winslow.
On offense, the Raiders could not get their strong run game going and did not gain a first down until the second half.
“We have no choice but to get better. I believe in my team,” Ocean City head coach Kevin Smith said after the game.
A rainy day at Carey Stadium started with a grave miscommunication by the Raider defense. On the Eagles’ second drive, receiver Cam Miller ran down the middle of the field alone and caught a 79-yard touchdown to put the Eagles up 7-0 early in the first quarter. Miller ran through traffic and the Raiders lost him on the play as he caught the ball 30 yards away from the nearest defender.
This season, the Raider offense has had the most success when it is able to move the ball effectively on the ground. That strength was held in check for most of the game as Winslow controlled the line of scrimmage.
After a missed fourth-down attempt by Winslow, the Raiders looked to put a decent drive together. Winslow, however, was able to stop a screen pass in the backfield to force another punt.
Winslow started its next drive by gaining two first downs running the ball. After giving up the long touchdown pass, the Raiders seemed to be more worried about the Eagle air attack.
However, just as the Raiders committed to stopping the run, Miller caught a slant pass over the middle and ran 39 yards for another Eagle touchdown.
The consistent rushing attempts got the Raider defenders to inch closer to the line of scrimmage, which allowed Winslow quarterback Deante Ruffin to throw over top.
Later in the second quarter, Ocean City got the ball on the Winslow 44-yard line after a bad punt. On fourth down, junior quarterback Walker Bailey seemingly ran for the first down but the play was called back for a holding penalty on the Raiders. Their best chance of the game so far to score was gone as they were forced to punt back to the Eagles.
The Raiders almost picked off Ruffin on the Winslow 30-yard line but were unable to come up with the turnover. That drive ended when Ruffin threw for another long touchdown, but it was called back due to holding on the Eagles.
Ocean City entered the second half down 14-0 but they could not contain Ruffin and the Eagle offense. After a good return to the 48-yard line, the Eagles marched down the field, gaining all their yards on the ground. Ruffin ended the drive with a 4-yard scamper for a touchdown.
Down 20-0 in the third quarter, the Raiders were running out of time and needed to score quickly before the game got too out of hand.
During an Eagle punt, Smith and Bailey approached senior wide receiver Jon Moyer on the sideline and talked about their next drive.
The crowd got what it was looking for on the first play of the drive.
Bailey dropped back and launched the ball 38 yards down the left sideline to a wide-open Moyer for the Raiders’ only touchdown of the game.
Moyer’s score put the Raiders back into the game midway through the third quarter, down 20-6.
However, Winslow would continue to dominate on offense as they marched 80 yards down the field in 11 plays. Ruffin would cap off the drive with another touchdown run for his fourth score of the contest.
Time was not on the Raiders’ side as they started taking desperation shots down the field to end the third quarter.
A Winslow fumble gave the Raiders one last chance in the fourth quarter to get back into the game. They tried to replicate their earlier success with Moyer’s touchdown but were just off the mark multiple times and were forced to punt.
With the game out of reach at 26-6 in the fourth quarter, the Eagles tacked on two more long touchdown passes to extend their lead to 40-6.
The Raiders had some opportunities to get back into the game but couldn’t put it all together at the end.
Ocean City’s next game is on the road versus St. Joseph at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6.
By WILLIAM TRUITT/For the Sentinel
