Racine Raiders season over amid controversy[]
September 12th, 2010 by Robert Rosati The Racine Raiders were defeated by the Chicago Mustangs at Horlick Field by the score of 39-35 in front of 1,497 fans.
The game was a close one throughout, however what fans will remember from the game is not the play on the field but rather a controversial call that was a deciding factor in the Raiders losing.
With two minutes left in the game the Chicago Mustangs were at the Raiders 26-yard line and were going for it on fourth down. They needed one yard to get a new set of downs. The Mustangs lined up in a shotgun formation and as soon as the ball was snapped it went over the head of Mustangs quarterback Brandon Benda. Benda sprinted after the ball, recovered it and threw a pass that was intercepted by Darnell King who ran into into the endzone for what appeared to be a touch down.
However, as the Raiders were celebrating the score a flag was thrown. After deliberating for a while a penalty was called on Racine for roughing the passer. Predictably Racine players and coaches were not thrilled.
As a result of the penalty Chicago had a new set of downs and the ball was placed at the 13-yardline of Racine. Brandon Benda took advantage of the field position and threw a touchdown pass to Chris Walter which gave the Mustangs a 39-35 lead with 1:37 remaining in the game.
Veteran Raiders quarterback Ron Ricciardi attempted to mount a comeback. He converted a 4th and 20 into a new set of downs be connecting with Jeremy Shedrick on 26-yard pass. He then completed a 35-yard pass to long time Raiders receiver Sam D’Alie. Following that a pass was again thrown to D’Alie near the goal line that was incomplete amid what appeared to be defensive pass interference that was not called by the officials. The final play of the Raiders season was an incomplete pass attempt to Sam D’Alie in the end zone on a fourth and 15 from the Mustangs 32-yardline.
Ron Ricciardi threw 362 yards and four touchdowns in the loss.
2010 Season Schedule[]
| Date | Opponent | Home/Away | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 26 | McHenry County Pirates | Home | W, 20-18 |
| July 3 | Stallions of Country Club Hills | Home | W, 34-0 |
| July 10 | Roscoe Rush | Away | L, 29-37 |
| July 17 | Leyden Lions | Home | W, 19-17 |
| July 24 | Chicago Thunder | Away | W, 28-19 |
| July 31 | Chicago Mustangs | Away | L, 5-14 |
| August 7 | Kilbourn City Hawks | Home | W, 58-0 |
| August 14 | Northern Illinois Cowboys | Away | W, 51-10 |
| August 21 | Racine Threat | Home | W, 41-38 |
| August 28 | Lincoln-Way Patriots | Home |