Hudson Explorers defeat Warren Harding Raiders 21-7

Photo by Andrew Ryan

It’s Friday night and you know what that means. It’s week 3 of high school football in the Mahoning Valley. The 2-0 Hudson Explorers are visiting the 1-1 Warren Harding Raiders. Harding will be without starting QB Dalys Jett.

First quarter

The first big play came midway through the first quarter when Hudson quarterback Jaggar Pallay was picked off at the Harding 30-yard line. This short-circuited a quality drive by Hudson, but Harding could not capitalize going 3 and out. After another 3 and out by Hudson, Harding muffed Explorer’s punt giving Hudson the ball at the Harding 10. The Explorers would take advantage 3 plays later when RB Ian Ludewig plowed in from 2 yards out. The Raider offense struggled mightily for the first 12 minutes and trailed Hudson 7-0 after 1 quarter of play.

Second quarter

The 2nd quarter started the same way the 1st started, with Hudson driving. Just outside their own 40-yard line, QB Jagger Pallay threw his second INT of the game on a tipped pass. However, the second turnover of the game again led to zero points for Harding.

 

With under 6 minutes left in the 2nd quarter the Raider offense came alive through the air. The drive, however, came to a sudden stop when Harding QB Drew McKowan was intercepted in the end zone. On the ensuing drive, the Harding defense created their 3rd turnover picking off Jagger Pallay for the 3rd time in the endzone ending a promising Hudson drive. End of the 1st half with Hudson leading 7-0.

Third quarter

On the opening drive of the second half, Harding put together a nice 60-yard drive, but bogged down at the Hudson 25. The Raider field goal attempt was blocked and returned 75 yards by Giovanni Depompei for a touchdown. The ensuing drive for Harding ended in a 3 and out. Hudson followed with a short scoring drive as QB Jagger Pallay connected with Jack Jenkins for a 52-yard touchdown. The Harding defense has played valiantly, but they’ve been on the field far too long. 21-0 Hudson.

Fourth quarter

The Raiders finally got on the board with 11 minutes left in the 4th quarter. Harding QB Drew McKowan, with no one open, scampered 40 yards for the Raider touchdown. Harding pulls within 14. 21-7 Hudson.

The following drive saw Hudson quarterback Jaggar Pallay commit his 4th turnover of the night. He fumbled a QB keeper at his own 48, giving Harding life. But the theme of the night continued: No points off a turnover. Harding drove to the Hudson 10, but QB Drew McKowan was sacked and fumbled on 4th down. That would do it.

Lost opportunities

You certainly don’t see it often, but it happened tonight. The Hudson Explorers committed 4 turnover and pulled out the victory. The odds are incredibly low to survive 4 turnovers. Hudson survived because Warren Harding converted zero points off the 4 turnovers. The Raiders were gifted chance after chance, but they could not convert those opportunities into points. It’s becoming an ugly pattern for the Raiders. Their defense has held their own, but the offense hasn’t performed well. It didn’t help that Harding was without starting QB Dalys Jett, and the offense performed well in spurts, but it wasn’t close to being enough.

 

Hudson had moments of looking dominant offensively and defensively but were also their own worst enemy. Turnovers and penalties stopped this game from being a blowout for the Explorers. If Hudson can clean up the turnovers, I could see them being a problem in Division II.

 

Hudson improved to 3-0 and will host Twinsburg next week. Harding fell to 1-2 and will travel to Massillon next week.