Shrimp Bowl takes center stage

COMMERCE CITY – Soggy, cold weather made for some tough playing conditions during the Commerce City Raiders Youth Football Association’s annual Shrimp Bowl games Saturday.

Kathy Eggelston

Darryl Hernandez runs off left tackle for positive yards as Fabian Gutierez (1) and Mathew Frerichs (88) get strong blocks on Hyland Hills defensemen. The muddy field conditions could not stop the power house Raiders who won 34-0, during the game between the two teams in the 13 year old age bracket.

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The football was literally like a greased pig as a myriad fumbles plagued both sides in all the games. The 11-, 12- and 13-year-old team games were on a muddy field reminiscent of the old NFL days. The teams slogged and battled their way through the tough weather and field conditions.

There were eight games on the slate as the Raiders played host to eight teams from Northglenn, Highland Hills and Boulder. The Commerce City 11-year-old A team, (2-3,  56 offense pts, 114 allowed), played in the opening game of the day against Boulder’s 11 year old A squad. It was a tough game controlled by defense for the most part with Boulder coming out on top in the end 12-6.

The second game featured the visiting Hyland Hills 7-year-old A squad taking on the Raiders 7-year-old A team in what turned out to be one of the most entertaining games of the day. The two teams went back and forth, neither gaining a clear advantage. When the final whistle blew, head coach Brian Ingram stood proud as his young Raiders squeaked out a 25-24 win over a tough and determined Hyland Hills Hornets squad. The young Raiders were 2-3 having scored 102 while allowing 93.

Next was the Raiders 12-year-old B team (1-4,  52 scored, 95 allowed) taking on Hyland Hills 12-year-old A squad in what turned out to be a defensive slugfest. Field conditions rapidly deteriorated, and it was rough footing for both offenses as they tried to find some grip on the turf and a solid grip on the slick pigskin. The Raiders scored the only touchdown and the defense put the clamps on the Hornets’ offense on their way to a 6-0 victory and the 12-year-old Shrimp Bowl title.

High noon came about, and the Raiders and Hyland Hills’ 8-year-old A teams took to the soggy turf in pursuit of a Shrimp Bowl title. It was no contest in this game as the Raiders dominated all phases of pay on their way to a lopsided win 45-0. The Raiders defense allowed only 26 points prior to this game, while the offense up 130 points in the four previous games played.

           The 12-year-old Commerce City Raiders played the 12-year-old A squad from Boulder. Once again, it was the Raiders’ defense that set the tone. The 3-2 Raiders team took advantage of turnovers and great field position to rack up a 42-0 victory and the 2011 Shrimp Bowl title. This Raiders team sported a 2-3 record coming into this game. The defense allowed 114 points, and offense produced only 56 points in the five previous games.

Commerce City’s 9-year-old Raiders faced the Hyland Hills 9-year-old A team. Field conditions slowed play, but that did not seem to bother the Raiders. They took charge early and held the Hornets to only a touchdown. The offense racked up 35 points and a Shrimp Bowl title. The Raiders were 4-1 going into this matchup with a potent offense (164 points), while the defense held their opponents to just 62 points. It was another solid win for the Raiders.

The Commerce City Raiders 13-year-old A team hit the turf against a slightly more inexperienced Hyland Hills 13-year-old C team. But experience and poise showed as the Raiders took care of business, winning handily 34-0. This Raiders team dominated the league so far with a 6-0 record, 216 points of offense and a stingy defense that has allowed only 34 points.

Commerce City’s 10-year-old Raiders A squad hosted Northglenn’s Buffaloes in the finale. With the field conditions pretty much a quagmire by this point, both offenses struggled to gain much ground. The Buffaloes defense worked hard in keeping the powerhouse Raiders offense from running amok. But they could not give their own offense a field position boost to be able to put up any points. The Raiders prevailed with a 13-0 shrimp Bowl win to end the day.