6A Semis:
Ravenwood 24 - Whitehaven -42
6A
Whitehaven (10-3) vs. Ravenwood (11-3)
This game was a tale of two halves. The Raptors were in full control during the first half. The defense was a force to be reckoned with during the first 24 minutes. After a 57 yard TD reception from Holmes, the Raptors took the lead to 17-0. After a failed 4th and 1 on the Whitehaven 40 yard line, the Tigers scored to make it 17-7. The game got chippy right before half. The Tigers has a defensive back get ejected due to a helmet to helmet, targeting call. The players started mouthing and the Tigers seemed to wake up. Once halftime was over the Raptors were 24 long minutes from Cookeville. The Tigers outscored the Raptors 33-7 over the next 24 minutes. The second half had been great for Ravenwood over the course of the Playoffs. The Ravens were not comfortable at all during the second half offensively. The Tigers pressured up front and their athletic ability made it difficult for the Raptors Receivers to get open for Garcia. The Tigers put pressure on Ravenwood’s secondary by throwing over the top and vertically to bigger, faster receivers. The Tigers defense came away with 3 INT’s and 1 fumble recovery over the course of the game. Garcia finished with 272 yards on 23/42 passing and 2 TD’s. WR, Anthony Holmes finished with 6/95 yards with 1 TD that broke the Ravenwood single-season receiving TD record (13) that was held by Van Jefferson. Junior WR, Andrew Mason finished with 72 yards on 6 catches and 1 TD as well.
The future is bright for Ravenwood. To get to the 6A Semis with the majority of the team being underclassmen will pay off in a long run. You hate to play the “what if” game, but what if they make it to the Championship game? Win or lose they would have the experience like the 2014 team which came back and beat Maryville in 2015. Ravenwood has been ahead of schedule as laid out by Head Coach Matt Daniels. Coach Daniels thought that the Raptors would be really good "in two years". That prediction was made two seasons ago. The Raptors will have to replace a few Seniors. WR, Anthony Holmes, and RB, William Baine will have to be replaced on the offensive side of the ball. Carlson and Carver will have to be replaced on the lines. The time is nigh for the Raptors to fulfill their destiny and I strongly believe that Ravenwood will be in this game again next year and the woes of this year's Semifinal game will be resolved as the Raptors move into the 6A State Championship game. The real question is...who will be their opponent? I know one WCS Sports Conference team that will question and challenge my prediction and use it as motivation. They happen to be across the road from Ravenwood. I cannot wait for the Battle of the Woods to happen and it makes me ask the question..."Is it August yet?"
Facts of the Week:
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Kam Harris-Lusk (Fairview) named to the 3A Mr. Football Finalists (1,670 All-Purpose Yards, 31 (16 rushing, 15 receiving) total TD’s)
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TJ Sheffield (Independence) name to the 6A Mr. Football Finalists (2,024 All-Purpose Yards, 21 total TD’s)
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The Mr. Football winners will be named the week of November 26. This marks the third time in 5 years that the WCS Sports Conference has had more than 1 finalist.
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Ravenwood Wide Receiver, Anthony Holmes scored his 13th receiving TD’s on the year breaking former Raptor, Van Jefferson for the single-season record.
- Ravenwood QB, Brian Garcia finishes with over 2500 yards passing and 39 total TD's
- Ravenwood #5, Brentwood #9, Page #16 all finish in the final Top 20 Mid-State Polls.