PHOTO GALLERY: Ponies Get a Road Win Against Roseville 28-25

A second-half rushing show helped the Stillwater Ponies spoil a Roseville Raiders comeback on senior night in Roseville, 28-25.

"It was disappointing that we lost,” Raiders senior receiver Zack Moriarty said. “I thought there were some unfair calls by the refs.”

The Raiders made an onside kick, which the referees called back at the end of the game.

“They called illegal touching on the kick,” Roseville coach Chris Simdorn said. “We thought our kid was across the 50-yard line. The video showed it looked he was across.

“They [the referees] make their calls and you’ve got to live with them,” Simdorn added.

The Raiders rallied from a 28-10 hole in the fourth quarter to cut the lead to 28-25 on two quick scoring drives. Moriarty and Emeche Wells both made big catches in their final home game.

“I’m proud of this group,” Moriarty added about his team. “Everybody was fighting to the end.”

On defense, the Raiders could not hold back a Ponies rushing attack that rebounded from a 77-yard performance in the first half. The Ponies began to pound the ball and control the clock with their running plays immediately in the second half.

“We moved the ball a lot better in the third quarter and fourth quarter,” Ponies coach Beau LaBore said. “Getting [Cartier] Alexander more involved was helpful too.”

The Ponies scored three rushing TDs in the second half after trailing 10-7 at halftime. Alexander, Nate Ricci and Nick Anderson in particular propelled the Ponies rushing attack.

The Raiders struggled to move the ball consistently with multiple fumbles, which the Raiders recovered each time.

“Our whole line really stepped up and got the holes,” Ponies junior quarterback Nate Ricci said about the rushing attack.

Despite a 28-10 lead in the fourth quarter for the Ponies, the Raiders did not quit. Sophomore quarterback Jaques Perra led two quick scoring drives to cut the lead to 28-25 in the final seconds.

“That sophomore quarterback was good,” Ricci said. “In the fourth quarter, we kind of thought we had it in the bag, but they were still fighting. We’ve got to finish next time.”

The Ponies will host Hastings on Wednesday. The Raiders will wrap up the season at Cretin-Derham Hall on Wednesday.