Randall runs past Snyder for 31-0 shutout victory

A stingy defensive effort on top of a wearing ground attack over four quarters was a recipe for success as the Randall Raiders handed the Snyder Tigers their first loss of the year in a big way coasting to a 31-0 shutout to open Week 3 action on Thursday night at Happy State Bank Stadium in Canyon.

After a season-opening loss to Andrews, Randall (2-1 overall) has now put together back-to-back victories including the first home win for new head football coach Dan Sherwood.

“It was nice to get a win here at home,” Sherwood. “I was proud of how our defense played. They bowed their necks in this game. We didn’t finish drives in the first half, and we need to clean up some things on special teams. But that’s why we practice, and I’m happy we came away with this win.”

Snyder (2-1) had an impressive streak going as one of only eight teams in the entire state that had yet to yield a point through the first two weeks. The Tigers defense had shown their strength blanking Slaton 42-0 followed by a 30-0 beating of Levelland.

Through the first quarter against Randall that scoreless streak stayed intact with both teams’ offenses squandering tremendous field position. Randall marched on the opening drive of the game only to have running back Dylan Ray fumble at the Snyder 1-yard line. Randall was then stopped inside the Tiger 20-yard line on the ensuing possession. The Tigers offense had their own issues. After blocking a Raider field goal and a punt in the first quarter, Snyder was unable to take advantage as the Randall defense stiffened up by holding the Tigers out of the endzone.

Randall finally swung the momentum in the second quarter behind backup quarterback Kaison Benton. Leading his only drive of the half, Benton connected on a 38-yard pitch and catch with Collin Miller inside the Snyder 10-yard line that led to a Benton touchdown pass to Breken Melton from 6-yards out giving the Raiders a 7-0 advantage with 7:50 left in the quarter.

Randall was able to tack on a 32-yard field goal by Jacob Avalos at the three-minute mark that put the Raiders up 10-0 at halftime.

“We were close so many times early,” Sherwood said. “They haven’t given up a point so once we scored, we sent some shock waves and get into a groove.”

The second half was a dominant effort by Raider running back Dylan Ray. Ray had a rough first half with his early fumble and having a touchdown called back. In the third quarter, the offensive line was able to wear down Snyder and Ray used his bruising style and speed to take over the game. Ray scored his first TD when he turned loose for 52 yards on the opening drive of the third quarter that gave Randall a commanding 17-0 lead at the 10:20 mark. After starting quarterback Tryston Sanchez found Melton for a 4-yard bootleg touchdown toss in the third, Ray put a stamp on the finding paydirt from 66 yards out with 4:25 to play in the game giving the Raiders the 31-0 lead.

“I think the guys settled in and play Raider football,” Sherwood said. “Anytime you can calm the nerves whether you’re anxious or excited and get into the flow of the game then you’re able to make those big plays happen. Dylan was big for us and always has great effort. He’s the most excited person on the field and is the ultimate team player no matter who scores for us.”

Ray ran through the Snyder defense for 239 yards on only 19 carries with two scores. Sanchez tacked on 85 yards rushing, and Melton had two TD snags. Defensively, Randall swarmed the Tigers offense allowing only three first downs while holding Snyder to 60 total yards.