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The Raiders ended their best football season in nine years last Friday with a win over the Bridgeport Mustangs.

It was the second win over the Mustangs this season and the first league win of the season. Lake Roosevelt finishes the season with a 4-6 overall record and a 1-5 Central Washington 2B record. The four wins makes this the best season for LR since 2004.

The evening started with Senior Night festivities for Thaddius Richardson and Michael Rounds.

In the first quarter, Bridgeport got on the board first with Garcia running it in from 10 yards out to cap a drive where the Mustangs were able to chip away at the Raiders' defense.

Bridgeport ran a 6-3 defense to challenge the Raiders to throw the ball. LR responded with a touchdown drive of their own, with Josiah Desautel breaking loose for a 37-yard touchdown run.

On the ensuing Mustang drive, Bridgeport tried to convert on fourth down, but was stopped by Rounds, who picked up the fumble he forced. Then, late in the first quarter, Desautel broke loose again with a 76-yard run.

In the second quarter, both squads had trouble with penalties and scoring. Jesse Louie recovered the second Mustang fumble, which led to a fourth down fake by Austin Rosenbaum, who ran the ball inside the Mustang 30. LR could not convert on third down and attempted a 41-yard field goal. The attempt fell just short and to the left. The score at half was LR 14-Bridgeport 7.

Right away in the third quarter, the Raiders scored on another Desautel run. LR went for two but did not convert. Later in the third, the Raiders were forced to punt; the kick was short due to the pressure the Mustangs sent. The ball hit the ground and skipped toward a group of Bridgeport players. LR coaches argued that the ball hit one of the Mustangs and the ball should go back to the Raiders. The officials did not agree and the Mustangs kept the ball. That placed the Mustangs inside the Raiders 40-yard line.

Bridgeport scored a touchdown on a Morris-Everson one-yard dive to bring them within one score of the lead. On the ensuing kickoff, Desautel returned the ball to midfield where he was horsecollared. At the end of the third it was LR 20-Bridgeport 14.

In the fourth quarter, the Raiders and Mustangs went to the air for their final scores of the game. For the Raiders, it was a rare passing score as Rosenbaum connected on a 20-yard pass, with Desautel pushing the Raider lead to 13.

On the next Mustang drive, Rounds grabbed his second fumble of the game. LR could not convert on the turnover and punted the ball away.

The Mustangs then drove down the field and scored on a 30-yard touchdown pass. Bridgeport did not convert the extra point.

After that score, the Mustangs could not connect on passes and when LR got the ball back they ran out the clock to secure the win.

"We had two hard fought games with Bridgeport this season and were fortunate to win both," commented Raider Head Coach Steve Files.

The Raiders gained a total of 298 yards of offense against the Mustangs, 275 of those on the ground.

Desautel ran for 164 yards on 11 carries and three touchdowns. Rosenbaum gained 54 yards on eight carries and was two for four through the air for 23 yards and a touchdown.

Octavio Alejandre hit all three extra-point kicks. Trey Nicholson led the team again in tackles with 19. Rounds grabbed two fumbles and Jesse Louie picked up another. Louie also had two punts of more than 40 yards.

For seniors Rounds and Richardson, it was a great way to end their Raider careers, Files noted.

"Raider football really means something to these two young men, and it showed in their team-first attitude and effort this season," Files said. "They anchored our defensive effort versus Bridgeport and will be missed."

Looking ahead to next season, the Raiders want to build on this 4-6 season. "We'll have an experienced team coming back, so I expect us to improve in all phases next year," Files said.

When asked what he wanted to see carry over to next year, Coach Files responded, "our commitment to the team concept."

Files also wanted to thank the community. "I'd like to thank the coaches, players, managers, parents, boosters, and our administration for all their hard work and support," he said.

Looking forward to next season, the new classification cycle could bring big changes for the Raiders. The league could change with Okanogan, Brewster, Tonasket and Entiat rumored to be coming to the 2B ranks. With possible schools in the south dropping to 2B, Lake Roosevelt could be part of a resurrected North Central B League.

Scoring

First Quarter

B-Garcia 10 run (Medel kick)

LR-Desautel 37 run (Alejandre kick)

LR-Desautel 65 run (Alejandre kick)

Third Quarter

LR-Desautel 19 run (run failed)

B-Morris-Evenson 1 run (Medel kick)

Fourth Quarter

LR-Desautel 20 pass from Rosenbaum (Alejandre kick)

B-Lopez 30 pass from Morris-Evenson (kick failed)

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