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Raiders Season Comes to an
end
The Golden Crescent Raiders faced off against the Texas Tigers
this past Saturday, May 21st in Pleasanton, Texas. It was the first round
of playoffs and in order to advance, the Raiders had to shake off their
2 game touchdown drought. (Lost 46-0 to Mathis Lions, then 20-0 to the
San Antonio Desperados)
There were 25 players that made the trip but by games end, the number
had dipped. Injuries throughout the game decimated the team, the offense
stalled unfortunately, and the defense were simply out matched as the
Raiders fell to the Tigers, 40-0.
The loss ends the season for the Raiders who finished 8-5 for their inaugural
season. The Raiders have vowed to not let this loss be the last, as they
are already preparing for next season with the 2012 CRAF Championship
as its goal.
The Golden Crescent Raiders want to thank all of their fans for a great
first season and look forward to next year. Keep checking teamgcraiders.com
and our Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/gcraiders for more information
on try out information and more news about your favorite team in the Golden
Crescent area….THE RAIDERS!!
Congratulations to the GC Raiders for advancing to the Playoffs in there 1st season. Go Raiders
Raiders Hold off Redhawks
Click here to see video
Raiders beat the Longhorns
22 - 18
Click
here to see game highlights. See the interview with Steve Broussard
and the Golden Crescent Raiders Jeff Jones and Terek Hayes below.
Raiders Rally to Beat Bay City
Thanks to a pair of Terek Hayes touchdown runs and a late safety, the
Golden Crescent Raiders rallied from a 14-point fourth quarter deficit
to beat the Bay City Broncos 22-21 on Saturday at Patti Welder Stadium.
After falling behind 6-0, the Raiders took a lead early in the second
quarter when quarterback Wyatt Dietz hit Malcolm Whitmore for a 10-yard
touchdown pass to make it 7-6 Raiders. Golden Crescent was held off the
scoreboard until the 12:22 mark of the fourth quareer. Hayes scored on
a 38-yard run to cut the Bronco lead to 21-14. Hayes added a six-yard
touchdown on a sweep, but the point after was no good and the Raiders
trailed 21-20 with 8:36 left. With 1:45 remaining Daniel Byrd's safety
proved to be the winning score and Christopher Edwards sealed the game
with an interception in the final minute. After losing their season opener
to the Victoria Texans the Raiders have won three straight to improve
to 3-1. Next week the Raiders play the first of a home-and-home series
against the Eagle Pass Longhorns. Golden Crescent plays at Eagle Pass
on Saturday then hosts the Longhorns on April 9.
Click
here to see game highlights.
Raiders get Second Win by forfeit
The Raiders were scheduled to take on the San Antonio Falcons this weekend,
but learned that the Falcons had folded. The forfeit gives the Raiders
yet another win, their second in the week. Earlier this past Saturday,
3/12/11, the Raiders earned their first victory against the Port Lavaca
Seahawks, 12-7. You get to see the Raiders back in action on March 26th
against Bay City in Victoria's Patti Welder Stadium. Kickoff is set for
3:00 pm.
Raiders get First Win
The
Raiders secured their first win of the season this past Saturday against
the Port Lavaca Seahawks. The Raiders played their second away game in
Victoria, as they played at Victoria's Liberty Academy Practice Field(old
Memorial High School).
Getting things rolling in the first quarter, Terek Hayes scored from 25
yards out on a rushing touchdown to give the Raiders an early 6-0 lead.
On the next series, the Seahawks answered back with a touchdown of their
own, a 15 yard touchdown pass. The extra point was good giving the Seahawks
the 7-6 lead, which was held most of the game.
The second half kickoff by the Raiders was kicked high in the air and
traveled 13 yards in the waiting arms of #24 Christopher Edwards. Raiders
ball starting on the 47 yard line. After the drive stalled, it was a defensive
battle throughout the rest of the game until late in the 4th quarter.
Port Lavaca had three personal fouls in a row, giving the Raiders the
ball 1st and goal to goal on the 1 yard line. With under four minutes
left in the game, Wyatt Dietz dove into the endzone giving the Raiders
a 12-7 lead.
With time still left the defense had to hold the Seahawks, who had a long
pass play called back on a holding penalty. The Seahawks had little time
left and ended their comeback by throwing an interception to #43 Les Davis.
Davis' game saving interception allowed the offense to run the clock out
and secure the victory!
Your Golden Crescent Raiders make their home debut next weekend against
the San Antonio Falcons at 7:30 pm on Saturday night at Patti Welder Stadium.
Raiders Lose Opener
The GC Raiders lose the first game 18 -6 to the Texans.
Raiders-Texans offer off Spring
Football in Victoria
Four months ago Victoria saw its first crosstown high school football
game in 11 years.On Saturday the city will see its first crosstown amateur
football game as the Golden Crescent Raiders will make their debut against
the Victoria Texans as part of Cross Roads Amateur Football's week five
schedule.
"We are hoping that we can build off that East and West rivalry and bring it up to the semi-pro level," said Raiders general manager Jeff Magnia.
The Raiders are co-owned by Anthony Warren and former NFL rushing leader Priest Holmes. They originally joined South Texas Amateur Football before making the decision to change to CRAF.One of the factors leading to the change was travel. The Raiders were slated to play in a STAF division against teams based in the Rio Grande Valley.
"With the gas prices the way they are, that was a part of the reason we made that decision," Warren said.
League President Ruben Quintanilla said that initially CRAF was at capacity when the Raiders showed interest in joining the league.Then the San Antonio Red Raiders fell out of the league, making it easier for Golden Crescent to pick up their slot and schedule.
"They felt like this was the better move to come down to this league over here," Quintanilla said. "Plus it's closer to home."
The Raiders are one of seven teams that were in STAF that will play in CRAF this season.With teams in Port Lavaca, Bay City and El Campo, the proximity to their opponents appealed to Warren on the field as well as off it.
"Not only would we have the rivalry with the Texans, but the other teams in the area," Warren said.
Both Victoria CRAF teams will share Patti Welder Stadium. The Texans will be the designated home team for Saturday's game.Although the Texans are in the South Division and Raiders in the North, Quintanilla knows that if the Raiders opt to stay in CRAF next year, both Victoria teams would likely be placed in the same division.
"We're trying to keep everybody as close to home as we can," Quintanilla said.Although the Raiders have yet to play the 2011 CRAF season, Warren sees a lot of potential in the partnership."I think this league has a great future," Warren said. "I'm looking forward to playing the season and if everything turn out great I'm happy to stay where I'm at."
League Switch and Opening Game
The GC Raiders have switched from the "Staf League" to
the "Craf League". The first game will be on March 5, 2011 against
the Victoria Texans at Patti Welder Stadium.
Golden Crescent Raiders Give
Back
Raiders Event Help Local Toy
Drives
This season the Golden Crescent Raiders look to bring smiles to the faces of local amateur football fans with touchdowns and tackles. Until then the team made the holidays a little brighter with toy drive helping area kids. The team held the "Meet the Raiders" event at Victoria East cafeteria on Saturday and held a toy drive benefiting Blue Santa and Toys for Tots.
"Just to see the smiles on their faces and to do this today and the different functions we're going to have in the future will put smiles on kids faces all year long," said Raiders defensive coordinator Brian Janek.
People that donated toys had a chance to win Raiders merchandise, enjoy children's activities like face painting and meet NBA Hall of Famer George Gervin, as well as, former NFL Pro Bowler and Raiders co-owner Priest Holmes. Holmes said the Raiders chose the charities because this is the time of year the organizations are active in the community. Holmes and Gervin each have community service organizations and Gervin's appearance was set up by Raiders co-owner Anthony Warren. Of course getting a former NFL Pro Bowler and a San Antonio Spurs legend helped draw the attention of the community.
"We've always collaborated and used the star power in order to go into the communities and help support them," Holmes said.
Raiders general manager Jeff Magnia estimated 200 people attended the event. For members of the football team, the event gave them a chance to meet their fans and give back to the community.
"A lot of us who have been fortunate and grew up having good Christmases, we don't really know what it's like to go without toys on Christmas and go without the possessions that we're used to," said Raider tight end Steven Couch.
The Raiders will play their first home game March 2 at Patti Welder Stadium. Their opponent for that game along with the rest of the STAF schedule will be announced next month. Couch played for the Victoria Red Rage last season and after coming within one game of playing for the STAF championship last summer, he is ready to help the Raiders work towards the STAF Championship in 2011.
"Just the fact that we got that close and didn't quite get the championship just gives us all that much more motivation to get it this year," Couch said.
Tim Shepard will be the Raiders head coach during the inaugural season and after winning the STAF Championship, as a member of the Cuero Gobblers last season, Shepard is anxious awaiting the coming season.
"If we could start playing tomorrow, we would," Shepard said.
STAF and the teams making up the league have been known to give back to the community through community outreach programs and fundraisers, which Holmes looks to continue to do with his team in the future.
"I think that in order to be successful we have to show that we care about the community of Victoria and Cuero and the surrounding towns," Holmes said. "If we continue to give back the way that we have I think we'll have a lot of success not only on the field, but off the field."
First Combine / Tryout Brings
New Talent
The Raiders had their first tryout and veteran combine on October 30th.
A slew of new talent came to tryout for the team. More tryouts are forthcoming
as the Raiders will be going again on November 13th and November 20th
at Stroman Middle School, beginning at 10:00 a.m. For more information,
contact General Manager Jeff Magnia at 361-648-0574 or Tim Shepard at
tshepard@teamgcraiders.com.
Combine / Try Outs for Players
and Cheerleaders
"Golden Crescent Raider Rookie Tryouts/Veteran Combine. Rookie Tryout
Fee: $5.00. Location: Stroman Middle School. Time: 10:00 a.m. All new
players welcome, veterans to report at 10:30 a.m. For more information,
call General Manager Jeff Magnia at 361-648-0574 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting
361-648-0574 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or email the Head Coach Tim
Shepard at tshepard@teamgcraiders.com."
"Golden Crescent Raider Cheerleader Tryouts. Tryout Fee: $5.00. Location:
Stroman Middle School. Time: 10:00 a.m. All wishing to tryout for the
Raider cheerleaders are welcome. For more information, call General Manager
Jeff Magnia 361-648-0574 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 361-648-0574
end_of_the_skype_highlighting."
Tryouts will be October 30th, November 13th, and November 20th
New Head Coach excited about the Raiders!
Tim Shepard, the team's new Head Coach, has typed up a letter for the players, fans, and friends of the Golden Crescent Raiders. To view his letter, please click here.
Head Coaching Position Announced
The Raiders are excited to announce that Tim Shepard, a River City Bowl Champion, has agreed to become the team's first head coach. Shepard played last season with the Cuero Adult Gobblers and initially signed to play linebacker for the Raiders in 2011 but instead will sport a clipboard and headset.
"Tim Shepard is the type of coach we wanted as an organization and look forward to seeing him succeed in his new role with our team", stated General Manager Jeff Magnia. Magnia continues to say, "In getting to know Tim the last few months, he has been a successful individual on and off the field. I have no doubt that he will do very well making the transition from player to coach, utilizing his player experience to help him in his new endeavor."
Shepard is getting a good start as the roster is filling quickly. The first task on the agenda for Shepard is to take on the teams first "Rookie Try Out/Veteran Combine" on October 30th at Stroman Middle School beginning at 10:00 a.m
Former NFL Stars in Victoria
And it was time on Wednesday for kids at East and West to hear from two former NFL stars.
Priest Holmes, former NFL record breaking running back with the Chiefs,
and Quentin Coryatt, former All-America linebacker at A&M and former
Colts linebacker, spoke to kids at both campuses about making the right
decisions in life and how the wrong decisions can affect their lives forever.
Both speakers were brought in by Stone Oak Athletics and the new amateur
football team in the area, the Golden Crescent Raiders, of which Holmes
is a part owner. Their website is www.teamgcraiders.com . I talked to
both former football stars about how important it is for them to get the
word out to young people.
"It allows me to fulfill some of the things I've always believed in", said Holmes, a former Texas Longhorns' star. "At the end of the day, it's the responsibility of ours as athletes to come back and talk to students and encourage them in terms of all the different things they can achieve in life. For me it goes all the way back to San Antonio. There was no one that came to the neighborhood, so for me to fulfill that and be able to come back to different and surrounding towns makes a big difference."
"To be honest with you this is my first opportunity to be able to speak to the youth and encourage them about the importance of education and the responsibility it takes not only to be a good student but also a good person", said Coryatt. "How much do you miss playing football? A great deal, especially this time of year, with the season taking place now. Training camp I do not miss. I'm glad I no longer have any training camp, but if I had the opportunity to cross the goal line, that's something as a running back you always dream about."
Tonight at ten, I have NFL questions for these two veterans of the league.
Former football player in town to speak to youth
Former NFL player Priest Holmes, of San Antonio, talks with students at West High School, motivating them to support one another emotionally and stay in school.
Priest Holmes:Signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent from Texas. Won Super Bowl XXXV as a member of the Ravens.
Former University of Texas running back and NFL offensive MVP Priest Holmes spent some time in Cuero and Victoria on Wednesday to speak to high school students about the importance of education.
Holmes spoke to the Advocate about his foundation, his NFL career and being a co-owner of one of South Texas Amateur Football's newest teams - the Golden Crescent Raiders.
Victoria Advocate: You're talking to the kids about the importance of education, is that something that was instilled in you at an early age?
Priest Holmes: When I grew up, one of the things that I found out really quickly is athletics by itself wasn't going to get you to the next level and there was another key components that was necessary in order to advance. Going from middle school to high school I saw that, and I really realized I'd rather be an A/B student and play football than just rely on my physical talent.
VA: Do you think in the age we live in the educational opportunities get
overlooked in the recruiting process?
PH: The culture itself does overshadow sometimes the importance of what an education can provide. One of the first things you're going to do when you get brought into the NFL is they're going to pull our a document that's going to be about about eight pages long and if you didn't pay attention in your classes thinking that education didn't matter, go read through that contract.
VA: How long were you thinking about getting involved in amateur football?
PH: It was one of the things I have to thank Tony Warren, he was the one that kind of pushed the envelope in sharing with me. It's a different level of course, but these are players that have decided that 'I'm not getting paid and there's a chance for injury, but I have a passion.' I think that's what really attracted me to the game is the passion these young men have.
VA: Did all the community outreach work South Texas Amateur Football does play a factor in your involvement?
PH: First and foremost for me is there has to be an element of giving back because it's the same thing that we do with my foundation. It allows us just to cover more ground, to be in more communities and to be able to, because I played in the NFL, that responsibility in of itself is why I came back.
VA: Are you already thinking of tying in events with the Raiders and the Priest Holmes Foundation?
PH: One of the things we want to do is we do camps every year. That's one of the things we always look forward to every year that we've done in San Antonio. What we like to do is also bring that here and be able to have a youth camp. Also one of the things that's most important to me is joining forces with HEB here or Wal-Mart and let them know about the food drives we'd like to support.
VA: How important is it that you stay involved in football?
PH: At the end of the day no matter how far out I get, whether it's with other business ventures or with the foundation, one thing I know is that in order for me to get my bearings back it always revolved around football. So that's another reason I got involved with the Golden Crescent Raiders. Football has been a part of my life 20 somewhat years, and I know it well and I've had the opportunity to play it on a lot of different levels.
VA: After graduating what opportunities were open to you post college?
PH: I was excited. I was always determined to play in the NFL. My first time I ever saw an NFL stadium was the first time we walked in to play in the game. I remember we were all lined up on the 40 yard line, we were kicking off, and I'm looking around like 'these guys are 35 years of age. I'm going to smoke them down the field.' The ball gets kicked and literally these 35-year-old guys are already down the field and I'm still kind of just stuck in awe. I remember that was one of my first plays where I just froze, I felt like I was running, but I wasn't. I was running, but I was going slow, the play had been made and I went back to the sideline and it just reminded me of all the great experiences that I
had in school and what my education and especially having a free ride to the University of Texas did.
Coryatt, Holmes to speak at CHS on Oct. 13
Priest Holmes Former NFL players Quentin Coryatt and Priest Holmes will speak at Cuero High School on Wednesday, Oct. 13. The event, sponsored by the Golden Crescent Raiders amateur football team, will be from 9:45 to 10:30 a.m. Coryatt and Holmes will speak on the importance of staying in school and doing well in the classroom. T-shirts and posters will be given away.
Coryatt starred as a linebacker at Bayton Lee High School and Texas A&M. The All-Southwest Conference and second-team All-America performer skipped his senior season to enter the 1992 NFL Draft and was chosen by the Indianapolis Colts with the second overall pick. Coryatt played in 78 games over a six-year career with the Colts and ended his career in 1999 with the Dallas Cowboys.
Holmes had an injury-plagued college career at Texas before he signed with the Baltimore Ravens in 1997 as an unsigned free agent. He helped the Ravens win Super Bowl XXXV in 2000 as the team’s second-string running back behind Jamal Lewis. Holmes signed a free-agent contract with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2001 and led the NFL in rushing yards with 1,555 and broke Marshall Faulk’s NFL record for touchdowns in a season with 27 in 2003. A spinal injury in 2005 led to the end of Holems’ career.Holmes and Dallas’ Emmitt Smith are the only two NFL running backs to ever have consecutive 20-touchdown seasons.
Ownership Group and Special
Guest to visit Area
Team Owners Priest Holmes and Anthony Warren along with special guest,
Quentin Coryatt, will come to the local high schools on October 13th.
They are coming to Cuero High School, Victoria East, and Victoria
West High Schools to speak to students about staying in school and promoting
the team for their upcoming 2011 season. For more information, click
on the Events page on our website.
RAIDERS MAKING NEWS
The Golden Crescent Raiders have not stepped onto the field yet and the
team is already making news. With the excitement of having the new
team, the Victoria Advocate had a write up in the September 29th and October
6th editions of the sports. Below is the write up from the September
29th edition:
Former NFL Player Invests In Football Team
by Albert Alvarado
Former Pro Bowler and NFL Offensive Player of the year Priest Holmes is
part of the ownership group for the Golden Crescent Raiders. South Texas
Amateur Football league owner Eloy Vera confirmed Holmes involvement Tuesday.
“It’s definitely good,” Vera said. “I’m
excited about it definitely. A big name like that in my league makes people
think ‘You know if Priest Holmes is there, who else is next?’”
Holmes rushed for 8, 172 yards and 86 touchdowns in nine NFL seasons with
the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs and was part of the Baltimore’s
Super Bowl winning team in 2000. He is from San Antonio and played
at Texas. The Raiders also added some familiar names as Jeff Jones, formerly
of the Victoria Red Rage and Tim Sheppard, formerly of the 2010 River
City Bowl Champion Cuero Gobblers will also play for Golden Crescent in
2011. re.
If you're interested in playing football for the Raiders, contact the General Manager, Jeff Magnia at (361) 648-0574 or Tim Shepard, Assistant General Manager / Player Personnel at (361) 652-4895.