A Bird's Eye View: East Ridge vs. Woodbury

The fourth game of the season for the Raptors (1-2) pitted them against their fellow Woodbury rivals in Woodbury High School (2-1).

The electricity of the city of Woodbury had been building all week for this crucial game in the third annual Battle for the Griffin Trophy, which was tied at one for the all-time series.

There was talk at East Ridge from the beginning of the school year about the Woodbury game, and as Sept. 23 neared, anxious students only got more and more excited.

As game day arrived, was a sea of students dressed in all white, preparing for the white-out football game. 2,000-plus students trudged through the long day in anticipation of another shot of knocking out the Royals. As the clock struck 7 bells, both students sections were completely packed with students eager for kick-off.

The game got off to a fast start for the Royals with 2 quick touchdowns for a 14-0 lead. The Royals defense held up and caused senior punter Justin Pahl to use his leg numerous times throughout the half. The game was very close in the first half, despite the score as Woodbury gained most of their yardage on long plays.

As halftime rolled around, Raptor fans didn’t stray from their team as thoughts of last years season opening win raced through our heads. Many stars of last years game, including Ezekiel Okeleye and Justin Woodbeck were in attendance, reminding East Ridge fans of their first ever win, a 47-27 victory over Woodbury last year. The confidence and swagger showed to still be there as the Raptors took the field to start the second half.

The second half started off with a bang for the Raptors as senior fullback Austin Fischer rumbled through the Royals line and scored two touchdowns to tie the score at 14. The visitors bleachers were going crazy.

The momentum was than capitalized on as senior running back Dayo Ogundepo showcased his remarkable speed and ran to the outside of the Royals defense and won a footrace to the end zone against the Royals secondary. The bleached once again went wild with enthusiastic students who were jumping and chanting after the go ahead score.

The Raptors defense continued to hold up as the Royals were unable to score for most of the second half. With less than 5 minutes remaining in the game, Woodbury faced a crucial fourth down, and if they were stopped, the Griffin trophy would take a trip back down Woodlane drive to East Ridge High School. The Royals converted the make or break down and on the very next play, they tied the game at 21 with less than 3 minutes remaining.

As the game went to overtime, both team’s captains took the field and the Raptors started with the ball. After a productive drive, senior quarterback Brandon Johnson scrambled for a touchdown to put the Raptors up. The Royals needed to score or the game was over. The Royals also capitalized on a productive drive and needed only an extra point to tie it. Royals kicker Trevor Lo came on for the PAT and the ball hugged the left upright and just sailed in for the extra point.

The Royals started the second overtime with the ball and quickly scored. The extra point was made by Lo and the pressure was now on the Raptors to score. Sophomore running back Nick Leach pierced the Royals defense and scored after a few explosive runs and came one point away from tying it up.

East Ridge coach Mike Pendino decided that this was now or never and sent out the offense. The East Ridge coaches called a QB option for Johnson and he kept it himself shifting away from a few Woodbury defenders before finally falling just inches short of the end zone.

The Raptors fans were shocked, as the Royals students stormed the field and surrounded the Griffin trophy.

Although I would like to congratulate the Royals on their win, the drive back towards East Ridge High School was a rough one.