PALO CEDRO, Calif. - The Red Hawks football squad took on Southern Oregon under the lights at the Bill Johnson Community Stadium Saturday night. 

The Raiders drew first blood as they drove 65 yards in six plays to take the early 6-0 lead following a missed extra point on their opening drive. 

The Simpson defense made a stop and forced a Raiders punt to help set up the Red Hawks for their first score of the game. 

Quarterback Kaleb Anderson connected with Makai James for a huge 28-yard catch and run to keep the drive alive to move the Red Hawks' offense into Raiders territory. 

Facing another huge third-and-medium situation, Anderson connected with running back Chris Bush for a 34-yard gain to move Simpson across midfield. 

The Raiders benefited from a key holding penalty as Simpson settled for a 28-yard field goal from Brayden Smith. 

Southern Oregon responded with a seven-play touchdown drive following an explosive kickoff return to extend its lead to 13-3. 

However, the Red Hawks offense put together a huge drive keyed by a special teams play by Louis Sanders, who alertly moved the chains on a fake punt pass to Mason Kershaw for 18 yards.

Facing a third-and-long, Anderson connected deep with Talan Ramirez for a 50-yard bomb to pull Simpson within three following a good extra point by Smith. 

The Raiders again answered with a touchdown drive of their own with the help of a key horse collar tackle on third and long to keep their drive alive to head into the half with a 20-10 lead. 

Southern Oregon scored the first points of the second half on a 20-yard scamper from its quarterback to extend its lead to 17 points. 

The Red Hawks responded with a methodical 15-play 71-yard drive to find the endzone. 

Anderson connected with Nathaniel Monticelli for 13 yards on a crucial 4th and 6, followed by a huge personal foul penalty on fourth down by SOU special teams to allow the Simpson offense to trot back onto the field. 

Simpson capitalized as Anderson connected with Ramirez for a nine-yard touchdown pass to pull Simpson within ten following Smith's second good extra point of the game. 

But the fourth quarter proved to be all Raiders as they tallied 21 points to take the game 48-17. 

Anderson finished the game while completing 15-26 while notching 217 yards through the air with two touchdown passes and 16 yards on the ground. 

Ramirez had himself a game as he hauled in the two touchdown passes for 90 yards on the night. 

Caleb Utter and Joshua De La Cruz Jr. led the defense with six total tackles each, while De La Cruz Jr. picked up a pas breakup. 

Simpson looks to hit the road as they take on Carroll College on Saturday at 2 PM (MST) in Helena, MT. 
 

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