Red Raiders See Improvement

With the motto win the day, football team’s goal is to get better every day at practice and in games.

Despite losing by 20 points to Millville on Oct. 7, the Red Raiders seemed they did just that.

“Our goal is to get better every week,” Ocean City coach Kevin Smith said. “Other than the Mainland game, I think we have done that.”

Ocean City did run the ball more effectively and consistently against the Thunderbolts with Nick Zauck and Ben Bethea combining for more than 120 yards.

The two Ocean City backs found room to run behind an improving offensive line. The Red Raiders registered 14 first downs, and put together a 16-play scoring drive.

“Every week we are getting a lot better,” Ocean City quarterback Chris Gabor said. “Our run game is getting better and the offensive line is doing a great job blocking.”

“We are learning the scheme and they are executing it well,” Smith said of the offensive line.

Gabor had one of his better games, connecting with six different receivers. Wide receiver Chris Turner led all receivers with 46 yards.

Gabor’s best play of the night came when he scrambled to his left, buying time, and finding Turner for a 30-yard completion to extend a drive. Gabor also found Matt Schuler for Ocean City’s first touchdown.

Not So Special Teams

Ocean City allowed another return for a touchdown.

Vineland and Atlantic City returned kickoffs for scores in the first two weeks of the season. Mainland would have made it three straight weeks, but an illegal block way behind the returner took the touchdown off the scoreboard.

Millville didn’t return a kickoff off, but did score on a punt return, as DeQuan Bowman scored from 81 yards away.

“It’s being undisciplined,” Ocean City coach Kevin Smith said. “We are getting out of our lanes. On the punt return touchdown, we had two guys at the sideline. Our second guy was next to our contain guy on the sideline. I could have made yards there.”

Turner Getting Close

You get the feeling that Chris Turner is going to score on a return this season.

It seems like there are at least two returns a game, the senior is one missed tackle or block away from reaching the end zone.

He has brought plenty of excitement to the games with his speed and quickness.

“I feel like we are really close,” Smith said.

Pretty in Pink

The ground crew did an excellent job getting the field painted for breast cancer awareness.

The field featured pink lines at the 20-yard lines and midfield, and there were pink ribbons painted on the turf.

The players got into the act with pink socks, and the cheerleaders and members of the band wore pink as well.