by Columbia Station, OH – On Friday, September 1, the Columbia Raiders hosted the Northwestern Huskies at Southwest General Stadium. The Raiders came in looking to keep their momentum rolling after starting the season off 2-0. Meanwhile, the Huskies came in looking to bounce back, after starting the season off 0-2. The Raiders rushed past the Huskies securing a 57-22 victory. The Raiders were led by senior running back Marco Cirigliano, senior quarterback Ethan Meier and senior wide receiver Jacob Sanders.
The Raiders jumped all over the Huskies right away when senior cornerback Danny Corrigan recovered a Northwestern fumble to give the ball to the Raiders. The Raiders capitalized on the fumble with an impressive drive to the endzone. Senior quarterback Ethan Meier handed the ball off to senior running back Marco Cirigliano who ran downfield for a 7 yard gain for the Raiders. Cirigliano evaded the Huskies defense to convert on 4th down. Meier handed the ball off to senior wide receiver Jacob Sanders who rushed into the endzone for a 14-yard touchdown. Freshman kicker Jack Washburn came on and kicked the extra point, putting the score at 7-0 with 9:58 left in the 1st quarter.
After forcing the Huskies to a quick three-and-out, Cirigliano started the Raiders drive off with a 11-yard carry for a 1st down. Meier followed with a 14-yard completion to Sanders to give the Raiders another 1st down. Their momentum came to a screeching halt as Meier was intercepted by sophomore defensive back Hayden Sigler. Sigler returned it 67 yards to the endzone for a pick six. Junior Mason Myers came on and kicked the extra point, making the score 7-7 with 5:30 left in the 1st quarter.
The Raiders capitalized on a defensive pass interference and gained 15 yards to begin their drive. Cirigliano could not be caught by the Huskies defense. He raced down the field and into the endzone for a 21-yard touchdown to put the Raiders back on top. Washburn secured the extra point, putting the Raiders up 14-7 with three seconds left in the 1st quarter.
Senior wide receiver Cade St. Clair started the drive off for the Huskies strong as he returned the kick to the Raiders 45-yard line. After two incomplete passes, junior quarterback Isaac Beun threw a 19-yard completion to Mason Myers to give the Huskies the 1st down. Beun threw a pass to St. Clair who, despite a Raiders deflection, completed the pass for a 21-yard touchdown. Myers came on and kicked the extra point, putting the score at 14-14 to with 11:26 left in the half.
Meier started off the Raiders drive with a 9-yard completion to senior tight end Gavin Tollett. The Raiders secured the 1st down after Meier threw a laser to senior fullback Bryan Jones for a 15-yard completion. Following a 10-yard completion to Sanders, Meier broke free and raced through the Huskies defense and into the endzone for a 26-yard rushing touchdown. Washburn came on and missed the extra point, making the score 20-14 with 47 seconds left in the half.
After keeping the game close in the 1st half, the Raiders ran away with the game and never looked back in the second half. Meier handed the ball off to Sanders who carried the ball for 13-yards, picking up the 1st down for the Raiders. Cirigliano rushed for another 10-yards to give the Raiders another 1st down. Sanders’ quick feet put the Raiders into the RedZone as he rushed downfield for 27 yards. Cirigliano secured the touchdown as he quickly darted into the endzone. The Raiders successfully converted the 2-point conversion to put the score at 28-14 with 10:14 left in the 3rd quarter.
Despite the Raiders quick start to the half, the Huskies answered back. Beun threw a bullet pass to a wide-open St. Clair for a 65-yard touchdown completion. Beun found St. Clair in the endzone once again to convert the 2-point conversion, putting the score at 28-22 with 9:56 left in the 3rd quarter.
Marco Cirigliano proved to be unstoppable as he raced past the Huskies defense for a 15-yard carry for a 1st down. Meier threw a 10-yard completion to Jones to secure another 1st down for the Raiders. Meier handed the ball to Cirigliano who swiftly evaded the Huskies defense, yet again and rushed into the endzone for a 28-yard rushing touchdown. Cirigliano found himself back in the endzone as he secured the 2-point conversion, putting the score at 36-22 with 7:40 left in the 3rd quarter.
The Raiders defense was on fire all night long, not allowing the Huskies to advance downfield. The defense got the ball back into the offense’s hands quickly, allowing the Raiders to add to the score. Cirigliano opened the drive with a 9-yard carry. The Huskies committed two costly penalties back-to-back, giving the Raiders 30 yards. Meier handed the ball off to Bryan Jones, who weaved through the Huskies defense and ran right into the endzone for a 38-yard rushing touchdown. Washburn’s perfect kick, secured the extra point, putting the score at 43-22 with 4:21 left in the 3rd quarter.
The Raiders offense took the field once again as they looked to add to their lead. Ethan Meier started the drive off with a quarterback keeper for a gain of 4 yards. Cirigliano could not be kept out of the endzone as he broke loose and tore downfield for a 23-yard touchdown. Following another extra point by Washburn, the Raiders found themselves up 50-22 with 1:49 left in the 3rd quarter.
The Raiders final scoring drive of the night was led by some new faces. Junior quarterback Gage Maruna took the lead. Maruna handed the ball off to sophomore running back, Jose Rivera who raced downfield for an 8-yard carry. Rivera followed up with a 9-yard carry to give the Raiders a 1st down. Maruna handed the ball off to junior wide receiver Grant Johnson who carried the ball 15 yards into the RedZone to secure another 1st down for the Raiders. Rivera rushed into the endzone for a 3-yard touchdown, and another perfect kick from Washburn put the score at 57-22 with 7 minutes left in the game.
Marco Cirigliano takes home this week’s player of the week honors. He was unstoppable all night as he scored 4 of the Raiders 8 touchdowns. He boasted an impressive 244 rushing yards on 27 carries. Cirigliano averaged 9 yards per carry.
The Raiders defense had 7 sacks, 4 pass deflections and a fumble recovery.
Next week, the Columbia Raiders look to continue their undefeated season as they travel to play conference rival, Firelands Falcons. The Northwestern Huskies look to secure their first victory of the season as they travel to Rittman to play the Indians.
