Season 7 was a bitter sweet year for the Raptors, who had their best regular season to date with a 14-2 mark. After an early loss to rival Pittsburgh, the Raptors went on an 11 game winning streak only to lose their last game of the regular season to Eastern Conference champions the Driftless Area Gamers.
The Raptors had several players contribute to their success in season 7. The back field duo of Demo Derby and Jereme Corum amassed over 5600 yds and nearly 100 td's. Along with stellar QB performances by Logan Jensen and Chet Cheterson. The WR corps really stepped up with key aquisitions Lightning and Kittenkiller to make the Raptors a complete offense with serious deep threats. The offensive line was solid all season opening gaping holes and yielding a League low 4 sacks all season. And with the emergence of TE Greg Olsen, the Raptors added another threat for defenses to contend with. Overall it was the most productive offensive unit for the Raptors to date. Offensive co-ordinator Made in VA was quoted as saying " We had a really productive season and I am proud of the entire offense coming together to gel as one unit. We were firing on all cylinders and surprised a few teams." He also went on to say, " With the promotion to the A5 we may just surprise some of the big guns that are going to overlook us since we came from the BBB."
On the other side of the ball, the Raptors defense really showed the League they were to be taken seriously. The defense ranked 3rd in the league in points against, and with the implementation of some 3-4 defensive schemes, DC Babymaker had BBB offenses guessing all year. The D line kept plenty of pressure on opposing quarterbacks and played run support about as well as you can. The linebacker corps was solid all the way around, and were able to showcase their athleticism both in stopping the run and support in the passing game.
The secondary was the shinning jewel of the defense with excellent play from the entire defensive backfield. The additions of Jones and Lidstrom proved to be an enigma for opposing passing attacks, yielding and incredible 22 int's. Defensive co-ordinator Babymaker said "With players of the caliber the Raptors have on defense it is a pleasure coaching." He went on to say, " We knew if we could create a few turnovers and stop the opposing rushing attack, the other teams in the eastern conference were in for a long season." Which is exactly what happened.
Key contributions on special teams from Flakoe Ramirez and Baba Boey continued to prove the Raptors were a complete team in all three aspects of the game and if this trend continued, a Championship was definitely possible.
Entering the playoffs the Raptors first opponent was the Paris French Connection, whom the Raptors had just played three weeks earlier shutting down their offense and allowing only 3 points. The connection proved to be a more worthy opponent in the playoffs losing to the Raptors 45-27 in Round Rocks first home playoff game and more importantly their first playoff win.
The following week the Raptors traveled to Pittsburgh to face a Maulers team that had given the Raptors their first loss of the season a bitter 24-31 defeat, that left a bad taste in the teams mouth all season. With only one loss in the regular season, the Maulers proved to be a championship contender. However, the Raptors dug deep and played their best game of the season, handing Pittsburgh a 30-27 loss and ending the Maulers dream of a championship.
The stage was set. The Raptors were traveling to Drifttless to play the Eastern Conference Championship and the right to go to the Super Bowl. The Gamers were easily the toughest team in the east, and finished the season a perfect 16-0. Not many people gave the Raptors even a punchers chance of beating the Gamers, who had gone 11-5 the previous year in the A5. The Raptors were just 2 seasons removed from a 3-13 record, yet here they were in the Conference Championship. The game went down to the wire and unfortunately the Raptors came up short 17-20, in what easily was the best game of the season.
The Raptors did not make it to the Super Bowl, but there is little doubt....The are here to stay.
I was able to catch up to owner ChiliDave shortly after. I asked him what he was thinking and feeling. He had this to say, " I am really proud of all the Raptors, both in victory and in defeat. The organization is filled with quality players and agents that would make any owner pleased to be a part of." He went on to say. " We had some lofty goals this season, and came up just a bit short of our ultimate goal. I believe myself, as well as all the players and co-ordinators, appreciate what it is we accomplished this season. And have a solid foundation to build on. Any owner that can take a team and in 3 short seasons be three points from the Super Bowl should be extremely pleased. It is the commitment from everyone that allows us to achieve success. The Raptors will be back, and future opponents will learn to respect us. This is not the end, it is merely the begining."
With the promotion to the A5, the Raptors competition will be a lot stronger next season. It is likely the Raptors will need a season or two to fight for another championship, but with the character on this team......you never know!!!!!
For the Round Rock Reporter---------this has been Telly McTellall.
The Raptors had several players contribute to their success in season 7. The back field duo of Demo Derby and Jereme Corum amassed over 5600 yds and nearly 100 td's. Along with stellar QB performances by Logan Jensen and Chet Cheterson. The WR corps really stepped up with key aquisitions Lightning and Kittenkiller to make the Raptors a complete offense with serious deep threats. The offensive line was solid all season opening gaping holes and yielding a League low 4 sacks all season. And with the emergence of TE Greg Olsen, the Raptors added another threat for defenses to contend with. Overall it was the most productive offensive unit for the Raptors to date. Offensive co-ordinator Made in VA was quoted as saying " We had a really productive season and I am proud of the entire offense coming together to gel as one unit. We were firing on all cylinders and surprised a few teams." He also went on to say, " With the promotion to the A5 we may just surprise some of the big guns that are going to overlook us since we came from the BBB."
On the other side of the ball, the Raptors defense really showed the League they were to be taken seriously. The defense ranked 3rd in the league in points against, and with the implementation of some 3-4 defensive schemes, DC Babymaker had BBB offenses guessing all year. The D line kept plenty of pressure on opposing quarterbacks and played run support about as well as you can. The linebacker corps was solid all the way around, and were able to showcase their athleticism both in stopping the run and support in the passing game.
The secondary was the shinning jewel of the defense with excellent play from the entire defensive backfield. The additions of Jones and Lidstrom proved to be an enigma for opposing passing attacks, yielding and incredible 22 int's. Defensive co-ordinator Babymaker said "With players of the caliber the Raptors have on defense it is a pleasure coaching." He went on to say, " We knew if we could create a few turnovers and stop the opposing rushing attack, the other teams in the eastern conference were in for a long season." Which is exactly what happened.
Key contributions on special teams from Flakoe Ramirez and Baba Boey continued to prove the Raptors were a complete team in all three aspects of the game and if this trend continued, a Championship was definitely possible.
Entering the playoffs the Raptors first opponent was the Paris French Connection, whom the Raptors had just played three weeks earlier shutting down their offense and allowing only 3 points. The connection proved to be a more worthy opponent in the playoffs losing to the Raptors 45-27 in Round Rocks first home playoff game and more importantly their first playoff win.
The following week the Raptors traveled to Pittsburgh to face a Maulers team that had given the Raptors their first loss of the season a bitter 24-31 defeat, that left a bad taste in the teams mouth all season. With only one loss in the regular season, the Maulers proved to be a championship contender. However, the Raptors dug deep and played their best game of the season, handing Pittsburgh a 30-27 loss and ending the Maulers dream of a championship.
The stage was set. The Raptors were traveling to Drifttless to play the Eastern Conference Championship and the right to go to the Super Bowl. The Gamers were easily the toughest team in the east, and finished the season a perfect 16-0. Not many people gave the Raptors even a punchers chance of beating the Gamers, who had gone 11-5 the previous year in the A5. The Raptors were just 2 seasons removed from a 3-13 record, yet here they were in the Conference Championship. The game went down to the wire and unfortunately the Raptors came up short 17-20, in what easily was the best game of the season.
The Raptors did not make it to the Super Bowl, but there is little doubt....The are here to stay.
I was able to catch up to owner ChiliDave shortly after. I asked him what he was thinking and feeling. He had this to say, " I am really proud of all the Raptors, both in victory and in defeat. The organization is filled with quality players and agents that would make any owner pleased to be a part of." He went on to say. " We had some lofty goals this season, and came up just a bit short of our ultimate goal. I believe myself, as well as all the players and co-ordinators, appreciate what it is we accomplished this season. And have a solid foundation to build on. Any owner that can take a team and in 3 short seasons be three points from the Super Bowl should be extremely pleased. It is the commitment from everyone that allows us to achieve success. The Raptors will be back, and future opponents will learn to respect us. This is not the end, it is merely the begining."
With the promotion to the A5, the Raptors competition will be a lot stronger next season. It is likely the Raptors will need a season or two to fight for another championship, but with the character on this team......you never know!!!!!
For the Round Rock Reporter---------this has been Telly McTellall.
