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LULING – The Rice varsity football team did not waste any time letting their district know that they would be much more competitive this season than last year’s team. The experience of the Raiders’ returning players showed in a big way as they dominated the Luling Eagles in a 43-6 win and avenged their season-opening, home loss to the Eagles last season.
The Raiders came out ready to show off their much-improved defense in a big victory against Luling. After a scoreless first quarter by both teams, Rice allowed just six points by the Eagles in the second quarter. The Raiders shut out their opponents in the first, third and fourth quarters as they ran up the lead. The offense also had their way with the Eagles, scoring 23 points in the second, 14 in the third and six in the fourth to put the blowout to bed.
Robert Bennett had a huge impact on the defensive end in the secondary. He came away with two interceptions as he helped stifle the Eagles’ passing attack. Luling was held to less than 130 yards of total offense.
While the defense was imposing their will on that side of the ball, the offense was doing the same as they marched down the field with efficient play.
The rushing attack proved to be the main weapon for a dangerous Raider attack in this game as they rushed for over 260 yards. Dyren Johnson played as the lead running back and finished as the first century- mark runner of the season for Rice. Along with his 101 rushing yards, he added a touchdown at the end of a run that went for almost 60 yards.
Johnson received support from several other runners as well with Kor’dae Johnson and Nebraska-commit Roger Gradney picking up big runs as well. Kor’dae had a 50+ yard TD scamper to finish with 61 total yards on the ground, and Gradney broke out for a 30-yarder that added to the Raiders’ highlight filled night. Glenn Mills also added a touchdown on the ground as well as D’Neriyan Fuller who had the triple crown and scored one touchdown on the ground, through the air and in the return game.
The return game overall was impactful as Fuller took a kickoff return to the house for a score, and Gradney had a big, 28-yard punt return to put the Raiders in solid field position.
Fuller was the top target in the passing game as starting QB RJ Meyers found the receiver for 83 of his 97 total passing yards. Meyers threw the 49-yard passing touchdown to Meyers during a night in which he missed on just two of his seven passing attempts.
The Raiders start the season 1-0 as they move on to face Kashmere at home and look to start an early win streak.
