UNION – It was all smiles in Union on Friday night as Ryle’s district championship drought came to an end.
Propelled by a dominant second-half surge, the Raiders avenged last year’s District Championship loss to Dixie with a resounding statement – defeating the Colonels 36-7 on a dreary Friday night in Union to achieve the program’s first Class 6A District Title in five years.
“It’s a great overall team effort,” Ryle head football coach Mike Engler said. “We had a great week of practice and were very confident going into it. They played like they practiced all week and it was very exciting.”
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When the two teams faced off on Oct. 15, the Raiders narrowly escaped with a 13-12 win in similar conditions. Early in the night, it felt as if another barn-burner was in store amid a torrential downpour.
Junior Lukas Colemire started the night off strong for Ryle, concluding the Raiders’ first drive of the night with a 1-yard rushing score on the heels of a 15-play, 79-yard drive.
Despite a couple of trips into Raiders territory, the Colonels proved unable to convert and score, with a few net loss plays serving as the culprit.
Though the Raiders’ drive faltered in the waning minutes of the second quarter, a 27-yard field goal by Summer Denigan expanded the Raider lead to 9-0 with just over three minutes remaining in the half.
Dixie gained some much-needed momentum just before intermission, a 36-yard connection from Dixie senior quarterback Logan Landers to sophomore Brach Rice pushed the Colonels at the goal-line with under a minute to play – and set up a 2-yard rushing score by Landers.
Trailing just 9-7 at halftime, Dixie put themselves in a serviceable position for the second half. As it turned out, however, the ensuing 24 minutes would be all Raiders.
The Raider defense remained stout, and the Raider offense appeared unstoppable.
Colemire’s second touchdown – this one a 4-yard rushing score – sparked the second-half scoring surge. Just two minutes later, senior tailback Gabe Savage punched in a 7-yard rushing touchdown for his first score of the night and inching the advantage ahead to a 23-7 Raider lead.
Trailing by 16 and desperately needing a score – the Dixie offense came out with a sense of urgency in the torrid conditions. With a crucial third-and-eight on the horizon, junior Luke Lown made a diving grab to intercept Landers. Just a play later, Raider senior Nathan Yowan effectively put the nail in the coffin, exploding for a 39-yard rushing score.
Ryle’s rushing attack overwhelmed the Colonels in the second half, with the Raiders eclipsing 191 yards as a team – 90 of which accumulated by Yowan. They finished with 276 for the night, with their offense clicking on all cylinders under the guidance of sophomore Logan Verax and Colemire – the change of pace rushing attack quarterback.
“Colemire’s our guy within the three or four-yard-line,” Engler said. “He’s a scoring machine inside there. When you’ve got Gabe Savage blocking for you, that’s going to help out quite a bit. Logan being a sophomore, he’s just improved leaps and bounds. In my opinion he’ll be one of the best quarterbacks in Northern Kentucky here soon.”
Dixie (7-5) was led by Landers, who accumulated 114 total yards of offense under center for the Colonels. He ends his career with Dixie’s lone touchdown of the night.
Perhaps the best news of the night for the Raiders? They’ll officially be hosting another home playoff contest. The Raiders (9-3) were clearly score watching when Engler broke the news to a jubilated Raider group following the District Title trophy presentation. Their opponent has yet to be determined – as it will be based on the new RPI system – but this Raiders group is excited to extend its playoff hopes and continue their ascension to new heights.
“It’s big. We get to move onto the next round and get to host again next week – that’s even better.”
Ryle – 6 3 21 6 -- 36
Dixie Heights – 0 7 0 0 – 7
1Q: R – Colemire 1-yard rush (conversion failed) 6-0 Ryle.
2Q: R – Denigan 27-yard field goal, 9-0 Ryle.
D – Landers 2-yard rush (Kohls kick) 9-7 Ryle.
3Q: R – Colemire 4-yard rush (Denigan kick) 16-7 Ryle.
R – Savage 7-yard rush (Denigan kick) 23-7 Ryle.
R – Yowan 39-yard rush (Denigan kick) 30-7 Ryle.
4Q: Faul 3-yard rush (PAT missed) 36-7 Ryle.
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