Wednesday, November 24, 2010
The Raiders improved on their finish from the 2009 season this year.
The rebuilding of Eleanor Roosevelt High School's football program continued this season, and although the Raiders didn't reach their ultimate goal of a state title, coach Tom Green is confident that the progress will continue next year. "We have a lot of kids [coming] back," Green said. "Next year's seniors will be the group that came in with me my first year. Next year will be my fourth year, so the kids will have only been coached by me, which I think will make a difference. The past two years we've made it to the playoffs, and this year we made it to the regional finals. I'm just hoping that we can get over the hump and get out of the region next year." Roosevelt finished 9-3 after a 30-13 loss to Wise in the 4A South championship game…
Sunday, November 21, 2010
The Raiders lost, 30-13, on Saturday.
All season, turnovers have proven to be a critical factor in Eleanor Roosevelt's wins and losses. Simply put, when the Raiders haven't held onto the ball, they have lost. In Saturday's 4A South title game at Wise, the Raiders' turnover issues resurfaced, and contributed heavily to the disappointing end of their season, as Wise cruised to a 30-13 victory. Roosevelt scored first, but threw an interception, failing to extend its lead late in the second quarter, and then fumbled away the second-half kickoff to set up Wise's go-ahead score. The Pumas scored 30 unanswered points to clinch their third consecutive regional championship. "Both turnovers were big," Raiders coach Tom Green said. "I'm not saying we would have won the football game […
The Raiders' season ended on Saturday.
Roosevelt's 2010 campaign came to a screaching halt on Saturday, as they lost, 30-13, to Wise. The Raiders had won their last two games at powerhouse Suitland before playing the Pumas. With the loss, Roosevelt is dropped from contention in the state playoffs. To read a full recap, click here. To keep up with local sports, visit www.twitter.com/patchsportsmd.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
The Raiders are just one win away from the state semifinals.
If Eleanor Roosevelt High School is to continue its quest for a state championship, it's going to have to overcome the team that halted its two previous attempts. The Raiders will look to end a four-game losing streak – including two playoff defeats – against Henry A. Wise when they travel to take on the Pumas in the 4A South title game on Saturday at 1 p.m. Saturday's winner advances to face either Arundel (10-1) or Broadneck (9-2) in the 4A state semifinals. "They want to play next week," Roosevelt coach Tom Green said of his players. "That's the bottom line. You've got to win this week to play next week. The kids understand what's at stake. They know the region is at stake. They know a chance to play in the semis and represent our …
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
It took four years, but Bellamy is finally working his way into the Fighting Illini system.
For Illinois senior cornerback Travon Bellamy, the struggles of the last four years have made this season's success even more fulfilling. The former Eleanor Roosevelt standout had battled through numerous injuries, including two shoulder surgeries, less than ideal production and progressively declining playing time. Even as recently as this year's preseason, Bellamy admits the future appeared bleak for him with the Fighting Illini. "It was all very frustrating and I've had to overcome a lot of adversity," Bellamy said. "But I just kept my faith, kept my priorities straight and it's been great to get to the point I am now." And after losing his starting free safety job as a junior, Bellamy has suddenly re-emerged under first-year Illinois …
Sunday, November 14, 2010
The Raiders have beaten Suitland twice in two weeks.
On the most important play of Saturday's 4A South playoff opener at Suitland, Eleanor Roosevelt senior defensive back Nigel Christian slipped and fell. On the ground, Christian watched Suitland back-up quarterback Gregory Evans heave a pass to the end zone. He recovered just in time to seal a victory though, intercepting the pass, which had been tipped, as the Raiders escaped with a 20-14 win. "I couldn't even tell [that it was tipped]. I just saw the ball," Christian said. "When it was in the air, I lost it two times, and then I just saw it come down and it was tipped to me and I started running." The win was Roosevelt's second straight over Suitland after beating the Rams in the regular-season finale last week. The Raiders now advance …
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Roosevelt beat Suitland last week, but can they do it two weeks in a row?
Last Saturday, the Eleanor Roosevelt football team traveled to Suitland and handed the previously-unbeaten Rams their first defeat, cruising to a shockingly easy 34-14 victory in the regular-season finale. This weekend, the Raiders are headed back to Suitland, but the stakes are much higher as they take on the Rams in a 4A South state playoff first round game at 1 p.m. on Saturday. "Obviously, at this point, [if] you lose you're out," Roosevelt coach Tom Green said. "So, all of that stuff doesn't really matter a whole lot. Right now we just understand that we have to play well. I stressed to the kids that last week means nothing if we don't win this week. So, we'll go out and put our best foot forward and give our best effort." Roosevelt (…
Sunday, November 7, 2010
The Raiders won on the road on Saturday.
A perfect season is nearly impossible in sports. Impossible is what the Suitland Rams were trying to avoid entering Saturday's regular season finale at David "Nick" Lynch Memorial Stadium, known by locals the "House of Pain." The field has certainly lived up to its nickname in recent years, as the Rams hadn't lost at home in two seasons leading up to this weekend's game. Suitland came into Saturday with multiple claims to fame. Ranked number one in the Prince George's 4A Division and 14th in the entire metro area by the Washington Post, the Rams began the day with a marvelous 9-0 record under head coach Ed Shields. Standing in their way of perfection was Tom Green's Eleanor Roosevelt Raiders, who brought a 7-2 record to the table. Before …
Friday, October 29, 2010
Quarterback Shawn Petty has missed the last three games with a broken collarbone.
The Eleanor Roosevelt High School football team is about to get a much needed lift as it works toward the playoffs. Quarterback Shawn Petty, who has missed the last three games with a broken collarbone, has been medically cleared by his doctors and is set to return to action next Saturday for the Raiders regular season-finale at Suitland (8-0). Roosevelt coach Tom Green had originally anticipated bringing Petty back in a limited capacity this week against Flowers, but ultimately decided to rest his quarterback one more game. At the time of the injury, Petty's doctors estimated a 4-6 week recovery. The Raiders locked up a playoff berth with their 42-8 win against Parkdale Oct. 23, which prompted Green's decision. "We're in the playoffs now…
Sunday, October 17, 2010
The Raiders won 13-8 on Saturday.
Everyone in the stadium knew where the ball was headed, and Eleanor Roosevelt High School safety Jairus Cook got there first. Cook intercepted a pass intended for Bowie star receiver Jeremiah Hendy – a University of Maryland commitment – with 3:13 remaining to help the Raiders hold on for a 13-6 win over the Bulldogs on Saturday. "I told my corner, Donta Williams, that I had his back," Cook said, "'because he was checking Jeremiah Hendy, and of course he's a great player. So he put a good move on him, and I told him I had his back, so I just stepped in there and just waited for the ball to come to me. The interception was the second of the day for Cook, who now has four in the last two games. The Raiders (6-1) also recovered two fumbles …
