Cincinnati, OH - The Tigers opened ECC play this past Friday as they visited Anderson Township to take on the Raptors of Anderson High School. Anderson was flying high after a blowout Week 1 victory over South Oldham High School (located just outside of Louisville), where the Raptors put up 37 first-half points in a 44-15 victory. On the other hand, the Tigers were looking to bounce back from a tough loss at Middletown.
The game opened with both teams turning the football over. The Tigers were stuffed trying to go for it on a 4th and 1, and the Raptors took advantage of that opportunity to drive down inside the Loveland 10-yard line, only to turn the ball over on a fumble at the goal line, which was recovered by Julius Vorbroker (12). The Tigers would then punt on the following drive and Anderson would take over again. Again, the Raptors started a long drive, moving the ball inside the Loveland red zone for the second time in two possessions. It seemed as if the Tigers had stopped them, forcing a 4th and 8 at the Loveland 14. But Anderson elected to go for it and Justice Burnam found Brodey Berg in the end zone to make it 8-0 Raptors. After another Loveland punt, the Raptors wasted no time, driving down the field, and capping it off with a 4-yard rushing touchdown by Berg to make it 14-0.
It seemed as if all hope was lost for the Tigers. But on the very next play, quarterback Tyler Roberts (11) found Jewel Vorbroker (10) streaking up the left sideline and they connected for an 80-yard touchdown to make it 14-7. However, after opening at midfield and converting a 4th and 3 on a Burnam quarterback sneak, Berg punched in yet another touchdown and extended Anderson’s lead to 20-7. The Raptors would tack on one more touchdown before the break as Burnam found Caden Piening from 25 yards out to make it 27-7.
Coming out of halftime, the Raptors continued to stay hot, as Burnam went 3-3 for 42 yards, and Berg scored his fourth touchdown of the night to make it 34-7. After a missed field goal by the Raptors and a couple of traded punts, Berg broke off a run for 43 yards, and then punched in his 5th touchdown of the game and his 7th total touchdown of the season. Roberts would then find Henry Bradley (11) on a 71-yard touchdown. But one last strike from Anderson sealed the deal, and the Raptors prevailed 48-14.
Roberts had a career game at QB for the Tigers, throwing for 288 yards and 2 touchdowns, and Jewel Vorbroker put up 116 all-purpose yards, along with his own touchdown. On defense, Max Carver (11) led the charge with eleven tackles, and Sawyer Muchmore (11) and Drew Holman (12) both added seven. The Tigers will play their home opener against Milford this Friday. The Eagles are coming off an exciting win at Lebanon where a Reece Davis touchdown with 34 seconds left gave them the win 34-29. Be at the Tiger Turf on Friday for the home opener, and be loud