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The Rice Raiders have now fallen to 0-5 to start the season after losing to the Boling Bulldogs on Friday night.
The Raiders were defeated by a score of 39-6 to drop to 0-5 to start the season as they continue to search for their first win.
It’s been a rough go on both sides of the ball for the Raiders this season, but they are way better than an 0-5 start. The problem comes from self-inflected wounds and untimely and sometimes incorrect penalties.
The Raiders have seen their fair share of bad calls go against them this season and while it has been a factor in some of their losses it’s not the real problem. Their problem comes from the fact that their offense as a whole has struggled to find their footing so far this season.
That’s not to say they don’t have talent on offense because there is a ton of talent on that offense. They have a quarterback that can make all the throws necessary and even use his legs to make plays.
They have a bunch of wide receivers that are tall, big and strong in AJ Jenkins, Glenn Mills and Keundric Pratt. The good thing about these guys too is they can be lined up as running backs and Mills even takes some reps at tight end.
Not to mention Isaiah Castillo and Ta’rell Tarver who are speedsters that can burn any defensive back that is put in front of them.
They just need to find a way to get on the same page and move the chains more effectively. They have to find a way to get Johnson some more time in the pocket because if he has an open receiver, he rarely misses them.
Getting Johnson more time also gives the receivers more time to get some separation during their routes as well. More separation means there’s a better chance Johnson finds his target which means the Raiders move the ball down the field.
Then on the flip side on the defensive side of the ball the Raiders have a very fast and aggressive pass rush as well as a physical secondary. The problem with them is they tend to give up the explosive play too much.
They have to find a way to clean up their coverage because better coverage allows for more time for their pass rushers to get loose and put the opposing offense behind the sticks.
The good news is all of these things are fixable, and it’s almost guaranteed they are working to clean up their offensive and defensive outings as they look to win their first game this week.
The Raiders are set to return back to home field for their next district game against East Bernard at 7:30 p.m. at Rice Consolidated High School.
