KENT, OH- It was the 112th annual meeting of the neighboring town rivalry as the Roosevelt Rough Riders hosted the Ravenna Ravens for control of the “Big R Trophy” which goes to the winner of this matchup each season. They came in even up in wins for the series at 54-54 with Roosevelt having won the last three years. After a slow 1st half the Rough Riders would get the passing game going in the 2nd half and take home the trophy after a 28-14 win.
Roosevelt wasted no time getting on the board after receiving the opening kickoff. They went 63-yards in 6 plays highlighted by back to back short passes to Chace Dennison and Sevyn Jones which turned into 21 and 26-yard gains respectively. The drive was capped off by a Makhi Jones 5-yard touchdown run. Isan Roberts PAT put the Rough Riders up 7-0 less than two minutes into the game.
Makhi Jones takes it in from 5-yards out to get Roosevelt on the board
Ravenna would move the ball on their first drive converting a 4th down moving them into Rough Riders territory. They would get the ball down to the Kent 11-yard line before a Mark Miller pass was picked off by Sevyn Jones at the 2-yard line turning it over to the Rough Riders. They were unable to do anything with the turnover and were forced into a three and out punt.
The Ravens put together a 16 play drive that spanned over seven minutes from the 3:30 mark of the 1st quarter to the 8:21 mark of the 2nd quarter. Mark Miller would put together runs of 10 and 5 yards, the last of which went for a Ravens touchdown. The two point attempt was no good as they cut the Rough Riders lead to 7-6.
Mark Miller with the 5-yard TD run for Ravenna in the 2nd
The Ravens would carry some momentum to the defensive side of the ball as they would force a Rough Riders fumble that was recovered by Ravenna linebacker Marcus Sanders. The Ravens however were not able to capitalize off the turnover and were forced into a three and out punt.
Ravenna would force another turnover on the Rough Riders first play of the possession when Andrew Mladek picked off a Kingston Bryant pass. Roosevelt would return the favor when a few minutes later defensive lineman Oliver Walter intercepted a screen pass attempt by the Ravens. Ravenna would have to punt after a three and out. The half would end with another Roosevelt interception of Miller, this one by Chace Dennison as they took the slim 7-6 lead into the break.
The Ravens would receive the ball to start the 3rd quarter. They proceeded on another very long scoring drive that went 84-yards in 14 plays aided by a pair of personal foul calls on the Rough Riders. Mark Miller would find Ethan McKamey on a 20-yard pass play for a touchdown. They were able to convert the two point conversion this time taking a 14-7 lead with 4:08 to play in the 3rd.
Mark Miller hits Ethan McKamey on a 20-yard scoring strike in the 3rd
Both teams would punt on their next possession. Roosevelt would take over at their 13-yard line after the Ravens punt with 1:09 to play in the 3rd. Their seven play drive would end with a Bryant swing pass to Dennison would took in 33-yards to the house for the touchdown. Roberts nailed the PAT to tie this one up at 14-14 with 10:45 tom play in the game.
Chace Dennison scores on a catch and run for Roosevelt in the 4th
It would be Dennison coming up big again as he would pick off Miller on Ravenna’s next possession for his 2nd interception of the game. Two plays later Bryant would find Sevyn Jones over the middle for a 30-yard scoring strike. Roberts PAT put Kent up 21-14.
Bryant finds Sevyn Jones for the 30-yard scoring strike
A Ravens three and out punt gave it right back to Roosevelt. The Rough Riders would drive into the red zone before the Ravens defense held strong and forced a field goal attempt. Roberts would nail the 25-yard attempt before a penalty flag hit the ground. Personal foul roughing the kicker on Ravenna which would wipe out the field goal and give the Rough Riders a 1st down at the 2-yard line. Two plays later Makhi Jones took it in from 2-yards out for the icing on the cake score. The Roberts PAT put the Rough Riders up 28-14 with only 2:21 to play.
Makhi Jones seals the win for Roosevelt with a late 2-yard TD run
Roosevelt would pick up their 5th interception of the game when Zachary Colemand intercepted a Miller pass. From there the Rough Riders took a knee and time expired on the Ravens as the Rough Riders prevailed 28-14.
Chace Dennison had 3 receptions for 57 yards and a TD along with 2 interceptions on defense to earn R&S Landscaping & Excavating Player of the Game honors. Sevyn Jones had 4 receptions for 82 yards and a touchdown. Kingston Bryant threw for 163 yards and a pair of scores. Makhi Jones had a pair of rushing touchdowns.
In the loss Mark Miller rushed for 94 yards and a touchdown.
The Rough Riders finished the season above .500 at 6-4.
