On Friday, Nov. 5 in Raider Valley, Raider fans gathered to watch as the Raiders reigned over the Gainesville Red Elephants with an ending score of 38-13, making it the perfect game to conclude the football season. The theme was pajama-out, and Raider fans wore their favorite PJs of all sorts in support of the team’s last game of the season. At the end of the game, senior football players and cheerleaders walked the field as a final goodbye to Raider Valley: their home for the past four years.

The Raiders had a rough start to the game as Quarterback Drew Aucoin, #10, threw an interception on the Raiders’ first play of scrimmage, leading to a hard fight for defense as Gainesville had possession over the ball. There were several penalties against Gainesville, and they eventually had to punt, allowing the Raiders to gain possession of the ball. Aucoin threw the ball to Aiden Ruckh, #83, to keep the second drive alive. West Robert, #16, completed a pass for a first down on fourth and eighth. The first quarter ended with Will Peltz, #4,  kicking a 39-yard field goal to put the Raiders up 3-0. 

At the start of the second quarter, Gainesville had the ball but fumbled leaving the opportunity for Nick Ware, #6, to recover it and run it down to the 13-yard line. Aucoin carried it into the end zone for a touchdown, leaving the Raiders 10-0. On Gainesville’s third drive, they fumbled the ball, and the Raiders recovered on the 26-yard line. Gainesville intercepted the ball and eventually scored a touchdown. The Raiders got the ball back. With 1:16 left, Roberts threw a long touchdown pass to further the lead leaving the score 17-7 Raiders at halftime.

During the last half, the Raiders scored another touchdown leading to a new score of Raiders 24-7. Gainesville had possession over the ball, but Logan Curry, #9, intercepted and ran back to the one-yard line. Aucoin, #10,  was on the keeper for a touchdown. Gainesville ran the ball for a 33-yard touchdown challenging the score to Raiders 31-13. North’s offense fought even harder as Aucoin threw to Ruckh for a 10-yard touchdown leading to the final score of 38-13 Raiders.

Raiders ran onto the field to celebrate a glorious victory. Seniors lined up at the end of the field to walk across as friends and family watched. Raiders saw the victory as a bitter-sweet moment as Seniors said goodbye to their Raider Valley Home.