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In a game that was probably not as close as the final score indicates, the Quincy Notre Dame Raiders defeated the visiting Illini West Chargers 19-8. This game at QND's new field, was the West Central Conference opener for both squads. The host Raiders improved to 3-1 on the season, while the Chargers saw their overall record fall back to 2-2.
QND dominated this contest statistically in about every category. They ran 60 offensive plays to only 28 for IW. They outgained the Chargers 345 yards to 141. Illini West could not keep its offense on the field and could not get QND's offense off the field for much of this game.
The Chargers lone touchdown came in the final period on an 8-yard run by Nolan Ard. The touchdown was set up by a nice 28-yard run on a reverse by senior halfback Jacob Sholl. Ard added the 2-point conversion run to close the IW deficit to 11 points. However the Chargers would not possess the ball again, despite the 7:38 on the clock at the time of the score.
Senior Austin Curfman finished as the Chargers leading rusher with 39 yards on 8 attempts. Ard added 37 yards on 10 carries, while Sholl had the one carry for 28. Senior quarterback Braden Bennett chipped in 21 yards on 3 totes of the pigskin, while classmate Dalton Merry also had 3 carries for a total of 16 yards.
Senior safety Dusty Waddell topped the IW tackle chart with 17 tackle involvements (solo tackles, plus assists). Senior linebacker Kaden Huston had 15 stops, while senior defensive end Nate Palmer had 10.
Dalton Merry was involved in 9 tackles, while Colton Ragain, Braden Stamich, Austin Curfman, and Alex McCune were in on 6 tackles each. Others on the tackle chart were Jacob Sholl (5 tackles), Nolan Ard (4), Jensen Corzatt (4), Avery Fader (3), Kyle Tanner (3), Colton Mellinger (2), Ethan Johnson (2), and Jace Norman (1).
The Chargers will celebrate homecoming this week and host the Macomb Bombers. Kick-off is slated for 7:00 p.m. Friday evening.