The Atlee Raiders and the Hanover Hawks are separated by a mere 4.28 miles.  In the truest since the two schools are neighbors.  And because they are neighboring schools, they have developed a brewing rivalry as unique as any in the Central Region.  Last Friday, under the bright lights of Raider Stadium, Atlee and Hanover renewed their rivalry with a berth in the state semifinals up for grabs. 

  On Oct. 7, the Hawks left with a 24-14 regular season loss.  In the rematch, they used a stingy defense and physical running game to take down the Raiders 31-12 for the Central Regional Championship. 

  “Offensively it seemed like we were going in the same spot over and over again,” said Atlee Raider head coach Roscoe Johnson.

  “I thought we had a great week of practice.  We were ready to go.  They came out and did some things to us and we were not able to bounce back.  Coach (Joshua) Just and his staff did some great things defensively and offensively they ran behind that big offensive line.  They were able to establish the run early.”

  Hanover was able to control the game behind a huge offensive line and diminutive junior running back Lawrence Jones.  Standing only 5-8, Jones powered through the Raiders defensive attack wearing down a unit that had been stingy itself under the tutelage this year of former Huguenot head coach Richard McFee.  Jones carried the ball 31 times for a game high 169 yards and a touchdown.  Jones indicated that the Raiders success on defense in their first meeting was an extra motivation for his team to succeed this time.

  “I knew they were going to be physical,” Jones said. “They are a great team but we are a very physical team too.  Our offensive line came a long way this year.  After the first lost we wanted redemption this week.  We just got after them.”

  Redemption seemed to be the theme for the Hanover’s players as well as Coach Just.  In their first meeting, the Raiders were able to corral then starting quarterback Sam Rogers.  This time around he was in too many places to be corralled. Due to an elbow injury, Rogers did not occupy the pocket, instead he played linebacker, running back, and wide receiver.  The senior also was the up back on a brilliant 38-yard fake punt on a fourth and one early in the third quarter. 

  “He can play everywhere,” Just said. “He’s just all over the place.  He is just a great football player, you can put him in any position you want.  But as a team it was a tough loss earlier in the year.  It feels good to see him and our guys bounce back like that was a lot of fun.”

  In addition, Just felt both teams had to match the physicality of the last game.  His team on the other hand, did a great job stopping Atlee’s power ground game led by senior running back Jared Hall.  Hall was only able to get off a few big runs.  The Hanover defense, kept the big game changing runs of the previous game to a minimum.

  “He is a great running back,” Just said. “I think Atlee did a great job. I took us out of some plays with some bad defensive calls.”

  Hanover’s diligence early allowed them control most of the game.  By stopping the Raiders running game it helped limit the effectiveness of Atlee junior quarterback Kenner Berry.
  Berry, who took over for injured starting quarterback Ruben Rucker last week, missed a couple snaps himself in this game due to injury.  The Hawks defense kept the Raiders’ offense out of the end zone until Berry found wide receiver Will McCombs for a 35 yard touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter. 

  “It is hard to win football games when offensively you are kind of stuck,” Johnson said. “We had a lot of three and outs and we were not able to score like we normally would.  I give credit to Coach Just and his defensive staff.  Their game plan worked.  I give them credit.”

  Hanover’s aim now is to keep playing. “The one thing we want to do is keep extending the season,” Just said. “They are very physical team.  It was fun to watch.  This group is so fun to coach and be around.  As a coaching staff we just want to keep working to get them to play another game.”

  For the Atlee Raiders, the season is over but there are still accomplishments to celebrate.  Under head coach Roscoe Johnson’s regime, the program has steadily grown in a region power and has a new level of anticipation and excitement each year. 

  After the game the fans and coaches watched the seniors take their ceremonial last walk.  As he watched, Johnson reflected on their journey.  “As I told these guys I’m proud of them,” he said. “From where we came from, with one or two wins to playing in the regional championship, that’s a blessing man.  Every year since I’ve been here we have gotten better and better.  I told them we got the little trophy this year.  But we have a good group of guys.  We got the regional runner up championship.  This program is getting better.  We’ll be alright. ”