Raiders face big challenge

By By Ryan Satcher / staff writer
September 9, 2004
The Lamar Raiders will face their third test of the football season on Friday night, as they take on the visiting Simpson Academy Cougars at 7 p.m.
Lamar will try to overcome last week's tough 24-7 loss to Jackson Prep. The Patriots took advantage of three second-half Lamar turnovers to score 17 unanswered points in the victory.
Lamar went into half-time tied with the Patriots after scoring on a 16-yard pass from Scott Owen to Nathan Harrison in the second quarter.
In the second half, Prep took advantage of a fumble to get a 47-yard field goal from Swayze Waters and then took advantage of a botched quick kick attempt by Lamar to set up touchdown.
The pouring rain followed and the Patriots were able to pound out an inside running game to take the 24-7 win.
The loss puts Lamar at 0-1 in MPSA Class AAA play, but it shouldn't put the Raiders in a hole in the division.
The Raiders are off to a 1-1 start after facing two teams that competed in their respective state championship games last season. Lamar was able to knock off Heritage Academy 30-20 in Columbus.
The schedule is no easier on Friday night as the Raiders prepare to take on last year's MPSA Class AA State Champions.
The Cougars come into the game 3-0 after whipping Winston Academy 41-12 last week. The Cougars also have a 38-0 win over Silliman (La.) and a 20-6 win over Oak Forest this season.
Owen comes in as both the team's leading rusher and passer. The senior quarterback has run for 176 yards on 25 carries, with one touchdown, and he is 24-for-46 through the air for 249 yards, with two touchdowns and three interceptions.