Raiders use balanced attack to defeat Blazers, 19-10

Dominic Caruso’s second touchdown run, from 4 yards out in the final quarter, secured Twin Valley’s 19-10 non-league win over visiting Daniel Boone Friday night.

The Raiders are 2-0 for the first time since 2009, when they opened 3-0 en route to a 5-5 finish.

Caruso rushed for 129 yards on 28 carries; he also had a 4-yard TD run in the third quarter that gave the Raiders a 12-3 lead.

The Blazers (0-2), playing their first game without injured quarterback Carter Speyerer, didn’t reach the end zone until Thatcher Hogan’s 10-yard run and Nate Millard’s PAT closed Twin Valley’s lead to 12-10.

The Raiders led the entire way, getting a first-quarter safety and a 26-yard field goal from Matt Puccino. They were up 5-3 at the half after Millard’s 38-yard field goal.

Freshman Evan Myers completed 12-of-20 passes for 146 yards for the Raiders; he was picked off twice.

Trey Freeman had five receptions for 89 yards to extend his program receiving record; he now has 1,382 career receiving yards.

Sophomore Dean Rotter, making his first start at quarterback for the Blazers, completed 4-of-11 passes for 44 yards. He took over after Speyerer suffered a season-ending injury in a 41-14 loss to Wyomissing last week.

The Blazers were out-gained 339-206; the Raiders ran 77 plays from scrimmage to 42 for the Blazers.

Twin Valley turned the ball over three times, Daniel Boone just once.

Caruso need 57 yards next week at Upper Merion to reach 3,000 in his career; he set the program rushing record as a junior.

Ean Winchester had eight tackles and Ryan Corros seven to lead the Raiders.

This is just the second time in the Raiders’ 26-year history that they have started a season 2-0.

Daniel Boone plays at Garden Spot Friday at 7. The Blazers have beaten the Spartans in each of their two prior meetings.