The football team will face rival Cleveland Heights tonight at Russell H. Rupp Field. Kickoff for the sold-out game is 7 p.m.
The Raiders, with their 70-38 loss to Medina Oct. 13, are now 7-2. Their only other loss came against Mentor, 44-29. Cleveland Heights defeated Shaker 70-6 on Oct. 21, 2022.
Senior starting quarterback Abdullah Ahmad said Shaker has improved since losing to the Tigers last year. “That was another game that happened in the past,” he said. “We got into this game just like every other game — being present in the moment. This isn’t the same team as last year, and we’ve shown that throughout this season.”
Cleveland Heights is 8-1. They lost to Paramus (NJ) Catholic High School. Cleveland Heights defeated Mentor, 14-13, Sept. 15 and Medina, 62-52, Oct. 6. The Tigers are ranked 26th in Ohio, and the Raiders are 123rd, according to MaxPreps.
But, the Raiders are confident. “Our momentum is still intact. We took what we can learn from that loss and don’t plan on slowing down,” Ahmad said. “Greatest lesson learned is to keep the pedal on the gas and keep control of the momentum.”
Cleveland Heights’ offense is led by four-star junior running back Marquise Davis. Davis is eighth in the state and 19th in the country for his position according to 247 Sports. Head Coach Alex Nicholson acknowledged Davis’ skills. “He’s one of the best running backs I’ve ever seen,” he said.
Student tickets and general admission are both sold out. Students who attend are encouraged to wear white clothes to unify the crowd.
Nicholson emphasized the need for volume and cheering. “When we’re on defense, be loud. Be so loud,” said Nicholson. “Be so loud that we break some decibel records at the Rupp.”
