Pine’s Raiders opened District 7-2A play Friday night with a 42-28 victory over Archbishop Hannan at home.

The first half got off to a great start for the Raiders (3-1).

Hannan, having won the coin toss and chosen to defer, hoped to take early control of the game with an onside kick.

The attempt backfired.

The Raiders used six plays for the contest’s first score and an early lead. That play set the tone for the game, with the Hawks trailing the Raiders for all but the end of the second quarter. 

The Hawks managed to pull together and tied the game, 14-14, with an interception by Blake Schultis of a pass intended for Tory Robertson at the Raiders 36 yard line. Schultis returned the pick for the Hawks second touchdown of the game. 

Pine retook the lead before halftime when Derrick Dillon found Devonta Pigott on an 11-yard play. The 2-point conversion was no good, and the Raiders led 20-14 at halftime.

The third quarter saw the Raiders pulling away and strengthening that lead over the Hawks (0-4) with a pair of touchdowns and a couple of 2-point conversions.

A fourth quarter rally by the Hawks, which brought them two touchdowns, proved to be too little, too late.

Dillon totaled 197 yards rushing and two touchdowns. 

In a brilliantly executed quarterback keep, Dillion put in a 34 yard rush to score the final touchdown of the game and seal the Raiders victory. 

Also for the Raiders, Pigott caught 14 passes, including three touchdowns. Pigott also intercepted a pass in the final minute of the third quarter

Pine returns to action Friday when the Raiders host St. Thomas Aquinas.