Kent, OH- The scene was Roosevelt Stadium in Kent as the Ravenna Ravens and Kent Roosevelt Rough Riders met for the 108th time in their rival history. Both teams came in with a 1-1 record on the season.
The Ravens defense setup the first score of the game as DB Pavel Henderson picked off Roosevelt QB Matt McCann on the second play from scrimmage to start the game. Two plays later Henderson found the end zone from 4 yards out to get the Ravens on the board. Mike Myers PAT made it 7-0 Ravenna.
Roosevelt was able to answer on their 3rd possession as they ended a 10 play, 87-yard drive with a McCann plunge from 1 yard out. Kicker Alex Horak converted the PAT to tie it up at 7 with 2:32 to play in the first quarter. Kent backup QB Yahntae Smith started the drive with a 14-yard run, a 31-yard pass to Jaden Dennison and a 27-yard run. Unfortunately he was injured two plays after the 27-yard scamper and did not return.
After a couple three and outs Ravenna was able to strike again as M'Kell Williams had two straight runs of 38 & 6 yards, the latter going for the Ravens 2nd touchdown of the game. Myers PAT made it 14-7 Ravenna. Williams accounted for all 66 yards on the drive (22 passing & 44 rushing)
But Roosevelt was able to answer on a drive right before the end of the first half. A big sack by Rough Rider LB Cameron Dent of Williams on 3rd down pushed Ravenna back and forced a punt deep in their territory which resulted in good field position for Kent at their 42 yard line. Some nice running by senior Michael Bannano and a 17-yard completion from McCann to Bannano set up a 19-yard scoring strike from McCann to senior wideout Jon Jon Smith. Horak's PAT was good and we went into halftime tied at 14.
Roosevelt came out strong defensively to start the 2nd half holding Ravenna to a three and out. On their first possession after picking up a few first downs they were forced to punt. Horak's punt attempt was blocked by Ravenna and recovered at the Rough Riders 29-yard line. From there it was one play by the dynamic Ravenna QB M'Kell Williams who ran it in from 29 yards out. Myers converted his 3rd PAT of the night giving the Ravens a 21-14 lead.
Ravenna would strike again on their next possession after holding Roosevelt to a three and out. Pavel Henderson ran it in from 34-yards out for the Ravens second score in less than 3 minutes. Myers PAT made it 28-14 Ravenna with 55 seconds to play in the 3rd quarter.
On Kent's first play of their next possession Matt McCann was picked off at the 49-yard line by Ravens DB Maykai O'Neal who took it to the house for another 3rd quarter score. Myers converted again and bumped the lead to 35-14. Suddenly Roosevelt was down three scores in a matter of three minutes.
The Ravens would convert one more score in the 4th quarter after a Cameron Dent fumble for Roosevelt put Ravenna at the Kent 15-yard line. From there Williams found TE Robert Melzer for a scoring strike. Myers 6th PAT of the game made it 42-14 with 10 minutes to play.
Kent was able to add a late 7-yard touchdown run by McCann and PAT to make the final score 42-21 in favor of the Ravens.
Ravens QB M'Kell Williams had a stellar game throwing for 75 yards and a touchdown and rushing for 71 yards and two more scores. Pavel Henderson added a rushing touchdown and more stellar play on defense with an interception and several key tackles. I had a chance to talk with Ravens head coach Joe Callihan after the game and discuss his two standout players.
This game recap is brought to you by our sponsor Daystar Ford in Garrettsville!