Raptors Defend Home Turf, Beating Pope Prep, 56-28
Excitement was built for this game headed into the opening kickoff and it did not disappoint thru a quarter and a half of football but things turned quickly into the favor of the home Raptors as they went on to take the lead and would not relinquish it in their commanding, 56-28 win over a talented Pope Prep team.
The funny thing about the final score is that this game was much closer and at one point early in the contest, Pope Prep looked like the better team and the team poised for this win but man did things quickly turn in the 2nd quarter.
After the Ravenwood (7-2) defense finally put a halt to the Knights offense after three series, junior quarterback
Chris Parson
Chris
Parson
6'0" | 190 lbs | QB
Ravenwood | 2023
State
TN
found senior receiver
Lee Molette
Lee
Molette
6'3" | 185 lbs | WR
Ravenwood | 2022
State
TN
across the middle of the field where the 6'3 pass catching playmaker would take it all the way to the house and tie the game at 21-21.
That defensive series prior and the quick strike touchdown from the Raptors offense immediately turned this game into the favor of Ravenwood and they wouldn't look back.
The game eventually would get out of hand in the second half as Parson and his offensive teammates continued to pour on the points. Pope Prep (6-3) just didn't have the physicality up front or the skill in the secondary to keep pace with the Raptors but it was a game that could have gone different had a few breaks went the Knights way in the 1st half.
Pope Prep junior quarterback
Kenny Minchey
Kenny
Minchey
6'2" | 200 lbs | QB
Pope Prep | 2023
State
TN
is legit and warrants all the Power Five interest and offers he receives but you have to give credit to the Raptors defense for making adjustments and starting to cause problems for the Knights signal caller as he was rushed and pushed off his spot on a consistent basis.
Once the Ravenwood defenders got their legs under them and began to adjust to Minchey and the Knights offense, they smelled blood in the water and started disrupting their passing game.
Junior linebacker
Drake Stollenwork
Drake
Stollenwork
6'0" | 210 lbs | LB
Ravenwood | 2023
State
TN
was a force last night, consistently placing himself around the ball and finishing with violence. The secondary was stout too, especially with a 99 yard interception return for touchdown coming from current Michigan commit,
Myles Pollard
Myles
Pollard
6'2" | 180 lbs | DB
Ravenwood | 2022
State
TN
.
This was a statement win for Ravenwood as they easily defeated a very good Pope Prep team that will compete for a D2-Class AAA state title and a victory that should continue to instill confidence for the Raptors as they are playing good football at the right time of the year.
Player of the Game
(WR)
Lee Molette
Lee
Molette
6'3" | 185 lbs | WR
Ravenwood | 2022
State
TN
- Ravenwood
- Molette has broken out this year for his best season yet and last night was yet another stellar performance from this 6'3 wide receiver that is gaining steam on the recruiting scene. Do not have official stats from last night but Molette collected I believe three TD's receiving with two of them being deep, big plays down the field. The Raptors senior wideout has the size, length and speed warranted for bigger looks!
Other Top Standouts
(DB)
Myles Pollard
Myles
Pollard
6'2" | 180 lbs | DB
Ravenwood | 2022
State
TN
- Ravenwood
- Pollard rarely gets the ball thrown his way but when he does, the Wolverines commits makes big plays, like last night's 99 yard INT returned for a touchdown.
‘23 (QB)
Chris Parson
Chris
Parson
6'0" | 190 lbs | QB
Ravenwood | 2023
State
TN
- Ravenwood
- The Knights defense could not control Parson last night as his speed and big arm was too much to handle. The Seminoles commit has ultimate confidence with the ball in his hands and is a threat to put up points at any given time.
‘23 (LB) Drake Stollenwerk - Ravenwood
- Stollenwerk was everywhere on the field last night for the Raptors defense. His instincts and quick reactions to the ball was impressive and he loves playing physical...perfect traits for a middle linebacker!
‘24 (RB)
Elijah Robb
Elijah
Robb
5'9" | 200 lbs | RB
Pope Prep | 2024
State
TN
- Pope Prep
- If the Raptors defense had any trouble last night, it came from Robb. The sophomore back ripped up the Ravenwood run defense for most of the game and showed why he could be one of the top in-state prospects for the 2024 class.
Game Notes
- The most impressive thing to me about last night's game was the resilience and calm demeanor from the Ravenwood team after it looked early that the game could get away from them as Pope Prep held an early 21-7 lead. It was a two touchdown deficit to an offense that is used to putting up big points this season, so it was easy to think Pope Prep was about to explode and take control but not so fast.
Two quick strike touchdowns and two defense stops turned the game completely around and showed the poise, confidence and belief that everyone on the Raptors sidelines has in each other. The coaching staff, the players and everyone involved with the Ravenwood football deserves credit for the win last night. It was an impressive showing of not only athletic talent but more so, mental toughness.
- Most of this article has talked about the skill players but what might have been the biggest difference in the game was the Ravenwood offensive line and overall team physicality. Led by senior stud
Carter Miller
Carter
Miller
6'4" | 295 lbs | OL
Ravenwood | 2022
State
TN
, the Raptors O-line enforced their will last night and made the Pope Prep defensive line feel them on each and every play. Setting the tone up front wore down the Knights defense over time and by the final score, you see who won out.
- This was just one loss for Pope Prep as they are still a legit championship contending team that might have it's best football days ahead of them, especially next year. When looking over the roster, the Knights are relying heavily on a lot of underclassmen, especially stars in Minchey and Robb to lead the way over the next couple of years but they also have others like junior wideout
Colin Cook
Colin
Cook
6'3" | 185 lbs | WR
Pope John Paul II | 2023
State
TN
and sophomore linebacker
Chris Boyd
Chris
Boyd
6'0" | 235 lbs | LB
Gallatin | 2024
TN
that are quite talented too.
If the Knights can develop more talent up front on both sides of the ball, they have the skill talent to do some special things over the next few season's along with a strong coaching staff to help them accomplish big goals.
Chris
Parson
6'0" | 190 lbs | QB
Ravenwood | 2023
State
TN
found senior receiver
Lee Molette
Lee
Molette
6'3" | 185 lbs | WR
Ravenwood | 2022
State
TN
across the middle of the field where the 6'3 pass catching playmaker would take it all the way to the house and tie the game at 21-21.
That defensive series prior and the quick strike touchdown from the Raptors offense immediately turned this game into the favor of Ravenwood and they wouldn't look back.
The game eventually would get out of hand in the second half as Parson and his offensive teammates continued to pour on the points. Pope Prep (6-3) just didn't have the physicality up front or the skill in the secondary to keep pace with the Raptors but it was a game that could have gone different had a few breaks went the Knights way in the 1st half.
Pope Prep junior quarterback
Kenny Minchey
Kenny
Minchey
6'2" | 200 lbs | QB
Pope Prep | 2023
State
TN
is legit and warrants all the Power Five interest and offers he receives but you have to give credit to the Raptors defense for making adjustments and starting to cause problems for the Knights signal caller as he was rushed and pushed off his spot on a consistent basis.
Once the Ravenwood defenders got their legs under them and began to adjust to Minchey and the Knights offense, they smelled blood in the water and started disrupting their passing game.
Junior linebacker
Drake Stollenwork
Drake
Stollenwork
6'0" | 210 lbs | LB
Ravenwood | 2023
State
TN
was a force last night, consistently placing himself around the ball and finishing with violence. The secondary was stout too, especially with a 99 yard interception return for touchdown coming from current Michigan commit,
Myles Pollard
Myles
Pollard
6'2" | 180 lbs | DB
Ravenwood | 2022
State
TN
.
This was a statement win for Ravenwood as they easily defeated a very good Pope Prep team that will compete for a D2-Class AAA state title and a victory that should continue to instill confidence for the Raptors as they are playing good football at the right time of the year.
Player of the Game
(WR)
Lee Molette
Lee
Molette
6'3" | 185 lbs | WR
Ravenwood | 2022
State
TN
- Ravenwood
- Molette has broken out this year for his best season yet and last night was yet another stellar performance from this 6'3 wide receiver that is gaining steam on the recruiting scene. Do not have official stats from last night but Molette collected I believe three TD's receiving with two of them being deep, big plays down the field. The Raptors senior wideout has the size, length and speed warranted for bigger looks!
Other Top Standouts
(DB)
Myles Pollard
Myles
Pollard
6'2" | 180 lbs | DB
Ravenwood | 2022
State
TN
- Ravenwood
- Pollard rarely gets the ball thrown his way but when he does, the Wolverines commits makes big plays, like last night's 99 yard INT returned for a touchdown.
‘23 (QB)
Chris Parson
Chris
Parson
6'0" | 190 lbs | QB
Ravenwood | 2023
State
TN
- Ravenwood
- The Knights defense could not control Parson last night as his speed and big arm was too much to handle. The Seminoles commit has ultimate confidence with the ball in his hands and is a threat to put up points at any given time.
‘23 (LB) Drake Stollenwerk - Ravenwood
- Stollenwerk was everywhere on the field last night for the Raptors defense. His instincts and quick reactions to the ball was impressive and he loves playing physical...perfect traits for a middle linebacker!
‘24 (RB)
Elijah Robb
Elijah
Robb
5'9" | 200 lbs | RB
Pope Prep | 2024
State
TN
- Pope Prep
- If the Raptors defense had any trouble last night, it came from Robb. The sophomore back ripped up the Ravenwood run defense for most of the game and showed why he could be one of the top in-state prospects for the 2024 class.
Game Notes
- The most impressive thing to me about last night's game was the resilience and calm demeanor from the Ravenwood team after it looked early that the game could get away from them as Pope Prep held an early 21-7 lead. It was a two touchdown deficit to an offense that is used to putting up big points this season, so it was easy to think Pope Prep was about to explode and take control but not so fast.
Two quick strike touchdowns and two defense stops turned the game completely around and showed the poise, confidence and belief that everyone on the Raptors sidelines has in each other. The coaching staff, the players and everyone involved with the Ravenwood football deserves credit for the win last night. It was an impressive showing of not only athletic talent but more so, mental toughness.
- Most of this article has talked about the skill players but what might have been the biggest difference in the game was the Ravenwood offensive line and overall team physicality. Led by senior stud
Carter Miller
Carter
Miller
6'4" | 295 lbs | OL
Ravenwood | 2022
State
TN
, the Raptors O-line enforced their will last night and made the Pope Prep defensive line feel them on each and every play. Setting the tone up front wore down the Knights defense over time and by the final score, you see who won out.
- This was just one loss for Pope Prep as they are still a legit championship contending team that might have it's best football days ahead of them, especially next year. When looking over the roster, the Knights are relying heavily on a lot of underclassmen, especially stars in Minchey and Robb to lead the way over the next couple of years but they also have others like junior wideout
Colin Cook
Colin
Cook
6'3" | 185 lbs | WR
Pope John Paul II | 2023
State
TN
and sophomore linebacker
Chris Boyd
Chris
Boyd
6'0" | 235 lbs | LB
Gallatin | 2024
TN
that are quite talented too.
If the Knights can develop more talent up front on both sides of the ball, they have the skill talent to do some special things over the next few season's along with a strong coaching staff to help them accomplish big goals.
