FINAL: Tri-Town Raiders (IN) 20, Manassas Mutiny (VA) 18

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Raiders hold off feisty Mutiny

In the closest game of the morning round of Division II Junior Pee Wee games, the Tri-Town Raiders from the Northern Indiana Pop Warner League had just enough to hold off the feisty Mutiny team from Northern Virginia Pop Warner by the final of 20-18.

The Raiders looked good right out of the gate and jumped out on front of the Mutiny 14-0, and had a solid rushing attack that kept the Mutiny off balance. However, the Mutiny responded in the second half of play and passed the ball down the field with ease, capped off by a 25-yard strike to the left corner of the endzone. Quickly, the Mutiny were within 8 with the score 14-6.

"Both teams came out ready to play," said Raiders Head Coach Tim Arvanitis. "It was a battle in the first half."

Both teams came back out to the third quarter and looked very poised. The teams exchanged touchdown drives in the third and headed into the crucial fourth quarter with just 8 points seperating them.

The Mutiny charged back in the fourth quarter, and managed to cut the score to 20-18, just an extra point away (noting that in Pop Warner Football, an extra point kick is worth 2 points and a conversion worth 1) but the kick was unsuccessful. With just a few minutes remaining in the game, the Mutiny wouldnt have another shot at victory.

Final Score, Tri-Town Raiders 20, Manassas Mutiny 18.

The Raiders advance to the second round of Division II Jr. Pee Wee play and will face the Arlington Thunder from Dallas, TX, who had little trouble today beating the Carson City Senators (NV), 23-0. That game will take place on Friday, December 10 at 9:00 AM. The Mutiny will play in the consolation game on Friday at 9:00 as well against the Senators.