The Flashes had their first home game of the season on Friday as they hosted the Channel Islands Raiders. Fillmore kicked the ball off and the Raiders offense started at their 30 yard line. CI got a 50 yard run on their first play from scrimmage. The Raiders got the ball down to the 8 yard line. The Flashes defense held strong as the Raiders could only manage a field goal. CI led 3-0 with 8:16 left in the 1st quarter. The Flashes offense started with the ball at the 20 yard line. The Flashes handed the ball off to running back Hayden Wright 3 straight times, resulting in 3 straight 1st downs. The Raider defense forced a 3 and out and the Flashes were forced to punt it away on 4th down. CI had the ball 1st down on the 11 yard line of the Flashes. The Raiders offense didn’t stay on the field long however, as they fumbled the ball at the 21 yard line and it was recovered by the Flashes. Fillmore scored their first touchdown on a run by Hayden Wright. Fillmore lead 7-3 at the end of the first quarter.

The Raiders got the ball again and they marched it down to the 34 yard line before the Flashes defense forced their second fumble of the game. However the Flashes weren’t able to do anything with the ball and they were forced to punt it away. The Raiders started with the ball on the 29 yard line. With 2:50 left before halftime the CI Raiders exploded for a 30 yard run. CI got the ball down inside the 10 yard line, but Fillmore’s defense held on 4th and goal from the 2 yard line. Fillmore went in to the locker room at halftime leading 7-3.

Fillmore received the ball first to start the 2nd half. The Flashes offense started with the ball at the 12 yard line. On 3rd down Fillmore fumbled the ball, but they recovered at the 11 yard line. Fillmore was forced to punt the ball away. CI started with the ball at the 50 yard line with 9:57 left in the 3rd. Once again the Flashes defense held strong as they forced CI to punt the ball away. Fillmore started on the 15 yard line with 9:08 left in the 3rd quarter. After a 10 yard run by Hayden Wright a personal foul against the Raiders put the ball on the 47 yard line. Fillmore got the ball down to the 45 yard line before the Raider defense forced a fumble. Both teams exchanged punts.

The CI defense held the Flashes on 3 straight plays. Fillmore appeared as if they were going to punt it away, but they faked it and they got a first down. The Flashes offense couldn’t do much with the ball as the CI defense forced them to punt it away. The Raiders offense started with the ball at the 24 yard line with 8:07 left in the game. Once again the Flashes defense forced a fumble and the Flashes recovered the ball at the 28 yard line. Fillmore got the ball inside the 10 yard line where they handed the ball off to Andres Andrade 2 times for 7 yards. Quarterback Carlos Briceno snuck the ball in for a touchdown from 3 yards out. Fillmore lead 14-3 with 4:47 left in the game. CI got the ball on the 20 yard line. Fillmore’s defense flexed its muscles again as Hayden Wright intercepted a pass at the CI 39 yard line. The Flashes put the Raiders away for good as Hayden Wright bolted 40 yards in to the end zone to put Fillmore up 21-3 with less than 1 minute left in the game.

Good luck to Channel Islands on the rest of their season. They go on to face Santa Barbara next Friday at Channel Islands High school. Meanwhile the Flashes go on to face Oak Park next Friday at Oak Park High School. GOOD LUCK, AND GO FLASHES!