Plenty of positives for Raiders

Posted Sep 3, 2009 by Adam Adkins

Updated Sep 3, 2009 at 03:39 PM

The end result might not have been the best, but Plant City coach Jason Strunk took plenty of positives from the Raiders’ 39-14 Kickoff Classic loss to Tampa Bay Tech last week.

The offense moved the ball well, even if the unit didn’t produce any points. The defense and special teams units turned in big plays (both produced a touchdown), helping the Raiders take a 14-12 lead into halftime. Most of all, though, the team didn’t quit competing, and the attitude remained positive. That wasn’t always the case in 2008.

“I know we’ve come a long way,” said Strunk, whose team travels to East Bay on Friday for its season-opener.

One thing Strunk said was evident against the Titans was the improved strength of his team, which the coach believes will pay huge dividends this season. Strunk singled out sophomore running back Dasmond Patterson, a player the coach feels has made some of the biggest strides.

“As a freshman, he got tossed around last year,” Strunk said of Patterson. “But he did very well.”

Not everything was positive, however.

Strunk said punter Noah Studstill suffered an ankle injury late in the game and won’t be available Friday against East Bay. Strunk believes Studstill will be back next week against Middleton.