FINAL: Maryland Raiders (MD) 14, Columbus Cougars (OH) 0

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Raiders Ransack Cougars

The Team Maryland Raiders came away with a victory over the Columbus Cougars in the Division II Midget League Tomlin Championship game at Disney's Wide World of Sports. The Raiders capitalized this year after going home as runner-up in the 2003 Championship game.

Both teams demonstrated their dominating defenses throughout the first half. The Cougars and Raiders battled back and forth but were often forced to punt or give the ball back over.

Throughout the first quarter however, the Raiders were able to put together a powerful drive. As the Raiders moved deep into Cougar territory, they were able to capitalize and punch the ball into the end zone. The Raiders followed the score with a one point PAT to put them up 7-0.

The second quarter showed more strength from both defenses as neither team was able to score. Halftime gave each team an opportunity to strategize on the last half of the 2004 Pop Warner season. After each team made solid defensive stops on fourth and short, the Cougars looked primed to pounce all over the Raiders. Unfortunately after an impressive run for first down, the Cougars running back coughed up the ball and the Raiders recovered the ball on the 32 yard line. Another punt from the Raiders brought an end to the third quarter with the score still 7-0.

The Cougars continued to struggle to find a way to cut through the Raiders' defense. The Cougars were faced with a 4 th and 10 halfway through the fourth quarter. After an incomplete pass, the Raiders recovered the ball on downs at their 21 yard line. The Raiders jump started their drive with a 25 yard run by #8 moving them just past mid field. On the next play, the Raiders faked a hand off and ran the reverse to #7 for another first down. As the clock ticked down to one minute remaining, the Raiders quarterback dropped back to pass and found #7 in the left side of the end zone to add to their lead. The Raiders stuck with the passing game as the quarterback rolled to the right and threw to #5 just over the goal line for the PAT. Although it looked like one score was going to win it for the Raiders, they increased their lead to 14-0.

On the kick off, the Cougars were not able to regain the ball for one last opportunity to score as the Raiders recovered the ball off the kick. The Raiders got off one play before the clock wound down and they claimed their Division II Midget League Championship.