By: Joe Shouse, Sports Writer
HAVILAND – On a night when the Wayne Trace Raiders needed to put it all together they did just that in securing a much-needed football win on senior night. Playing before their home crowd for the last time this season the Raiders were looking for a win, something they had not done on their home turf all season. Also on the line was the possibility off a play-off appearance in a couple of weeks – but a win would be necessary. Not looking ahead, the present task at hand was that of shooting down the Ayersville Pilots who entered the contest with an impressive 4-1 league record while the Raiders were 2-3 and looking to even their GMC record. When the final play ended at Raider field it would be the red, white and blue with a huge win 28-26.
Both teams played even in the first half with the score at 14-14 at the break but the second would see both teams find the end zone with the Raiders doing just a little extra to prevail. However, the third quarter looked as though the Pilots would have an answer after a so-so first half of play. Ayersville established themselves offensively on their first possession of the second half when quarterback Owen Berner scored on a four-yard run capping off a four-play drive and a Pilot lead 20-14 with 9:54 remaining in the third.
With the quick Pilot score the Raiders didn’t flinch – using a 59-yard scoring drive of their own that would not only produce a touchdown but an extra point that would put the Raiders on top to stay 21-20 with 7:31 showing on the clock. The go-ahead touchdown came on the efforts of Dylan Hildebrand who teamed up with junior QB Kyle Stoller for an eight-yard strike.
Following an Ayersville drive that stalled the Raiders took advantage from their own 42-yard line. Using a mix of rushing and passing plays Stoller guided his troops down the field. With the ball resting at the 19-yard line Stoller would make his way through the Pilot defense for a key touchdown to increase the Raider advantage 28-20. However, like most good teams, Ayersville continued to battle back and managed to put another score on the board midway through the final quarter. Blake Hauenstein galloped into the end zone from the six-yard line to pull the Pilots within two 28-26. Electing to go for the tie with a two-point conversion attempt the Raiders rose to the occasion to stop the Pilot run to secure the two-point lead which would become the final score.
In the first half the Raiders would strike first when Stoller connected with Jude Stoller on a pass covering 85-yards on real estate. The Raiders would be up 7-0 after the initial quarter of play. The Pilots would respond in the second frame on a drive covering 58-yards. Hauenstein would spot Abe DeLano on a touchdown pass connection covering six-yards. The two-point conversion was good to put Ayersville in the lead 8-7 with 8:57 remaining in the first half,
Wayne Trace would waste little time with another successful scoring drive. Needing just six plays, again, Stoller would go to the air and team up with Race Price on a 6-yard TD . The Raiders regained the lead 14-8 with 7:00 remaining in the first half. In a half that went back-and-forth the Pilots would add six more to the board. Berner clawed his way through the Raider defense to pay dirt on a six-yard run to even the score at the break 14-14.
Kyle Slade was the leading rusher for the Raiders with 66 yards on 18 attempts. Kyle Stoller collected 30 yards on the ground on five carries while hitting 11-20 through the air for 269 yards. Price collected 4 passes for 82 yards with team mate Tucker Antoine reeling in 85 yards on four grabs. For Ayersville, Haunstein finished with 6-12 passing for 58 yards with Berner racking up 135 yards rushing on 21 totes.
