Raider football moves on in playoffs

• Tyler Smith

Raider running back Tyler Smith celebrates as he crosses the goal line on a 22-yard touchdown run in the first quarter of Hudson's 21-6 first round playoff victory over Wisconsin Rapids Tuesday night.

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The Raider football team scored on its first two possessions of the game and the defense did the rest in a 21-6 first round playoff victory over Wisconsin Rapids Tuesday night at Newton Field.

Hudson (9-1) moves on to face Stevens Point (10-0), 52-27 winners over Oshkosh West Tuesday, in a second round game Saturday (Oct. 31) in Stevens Point.

Tuesday against Wisconsin Rapids, quarterback Beau Hommes capped the Raiders’ opening drive with an 8-yard touchdown run to give Hudson a 7-0 lead. Wisconsin Rapids fumbled on its first play from scrimmage and it was recovered by Hudson’s Kyle Swanger at the Rapids 24 yard line. Two plays later Tyler Smith cut back up the middle for a 22-yard touchdown run and the Raider lead was 14-0.

Wisconsin Rapids got on the board with a 6-yard touchdown run by quarterback Brady Goska with 3:54 remaining in the third quarter. Hommes added another 8-yard scoring run with 10 minutes left to play to make the final 21-6.

Fullback Andy Edholm accounted for 111 of the Raiders’ 243 rushing yards in 22 carries while Hommes finished with 91 yards in 17 attempts. Hudson was 0-for-3 passing with one interception.

The Raider defense held Rapids to just 146 total yards, 106 on the ground, and forced three turnovers. Chas Larson led the charge with 15 tackles, including ten solo, while Swanger added nine tackles and a fumble recovery. Sam Stephens and Jake Hayes also recovered fumbles while Ethan Dinauer had a pair of sacks.

Kickoff for Saturday's Level 2 playoff game is 6 p.m. at Goerke Field in Stevens point.

Tags: sports, raiders, football, playoffs