By Tom Williams

williams@vindy.com

BEAVER TOWNSHIP

One masterful trick play combined with five South Range giveaways to give the Raiders their first loss in their two-year-old stadium.

After a strong defensive battle for most of the first half, Marlington quarterback/punter CJ Greiner faked a punt and found Colton Kerns for a 38-yard pass to the South Range 5.

That big play ignited the Dukes (3-1), who scored twice before halftime en route to Friday’s 35-12 victory.

“You can’t make mistakes against these good teams,” South Range head coach Dan Yeagley said. “Marlington is a great team and they got after it.”

Marlington is a member of a Division III, Region 9. In Week 1, Marlington lost to undefeated Poland, 17-14. South Range (2-2) is in Division V Region 17.

But for most of one half, the Raiders’ defense managed to keep the game scoreless.

And after being stunned by a touchdown with two seconds remaining before halftime, the Raiders kept the Dukes from adding to their lead in the third quarter.

“We just had to come out and do our hardest,” Raiders linebacker Colin McCabe said. “We made mistakes but we tried our hardest.”

Defense dominated most of the first half. Turnovers were a factor.

The Dukes’ Nik Tortola intercepted Isaac Allegretto on the Raiders’ second series. After a punt, the teams exchanged fumbles on consecutive plays.

In the second quarter, the Dukes began to assert themselves on offense. About four minutes before halftime, the Raiders forced a fourth-and-7 at the South Range 43. Back to punt, Greiner found Kerns unguarded near the 30 and tossed a strike. Kerns caught the pass and was forced out at the 5.

Three plays later, Blane Himmelheber scored from the 1 for a 7-0 lead.

The Raiders drove into Dukes territory, but a fumble gave Marlington another chance from their 33.

Nine plays later, Greiner connected with Himmelheber on fourth-and-10 for a 15-yard gain to the 16. Greiner took off on the next play, scoring with two seconds remaining before halftime for a 14-0 lead.

“We regrouped,” Yeagley said of halftime as momentum switched to South Range in the next 12 minutes.

The Raiders climbed back into the game midway through the third quarter when Allegretto hit wide receiver Chris Brooks for a 40-yard touchdown. The extra-point kick missed, keeping the Dukes ahead 14-6.

The Dukes surged to start the final quarter as Nick Mudrick intercepted Allegretto and returned the ball 57 yards to the South Range 3. Greiner scored on the next play for a 21-6 lead.

The Raiders responded with seven-play scoring drive capped by Ryan Davenport catching a 3-yard pass from Allegretto.

But Greiner’s 46-yard touchdown pass to Mason Markavien put the game out of reach.

“They are a good team, they fought hard,” McCabe said. “They have a good line, they’re good at blocking.”

The Dukes limited the Raiders to 46 yards rushing. Allegretto passed for 177 yards.

“Our defense played well,” Yeagley said. “Our kids played their hearts out.”

Greiner passed for 169 yards and rushed for 57. Himmelheber led the Dukes with 66 yards on the ground.