ORANGE PARK - The Orange Park Raiders football team had their opportunities to take down powerhouse Melbourne but a late touchdown and turnover doomed the Radiers upset bid in a 37-21 loss on Friday at Orange Park High School.

“Mental errors throughout the game the game ends up costing us an opportunity to win” said Raider head coach Marcus Wimberly, who falls to 1-3.

Against Melbourne, the contest started as a defensive slugfest as the two teams traded punts on their first possessions. Melbourne would score first on their second possession using a ground and pound offense that resulted in a 36 yard field goal late in the first quarter. Orange Park would answer quickly led by a 33 yard pass from quarterback Eli Craggette to wide receiver Jermel Brown to the Melbourne 34 yard line. Craggette lasered a pass to end Brian Green for an 18 yard score to give the Raiders a 7-3 lead with just over two minutes left in the first quarter.

Melbourne would quickly strike back after two long runs by running back Kendrick Wright put the ball at the Orange Park six yard line. Quarterback Hunter Turner would run in from six yard out to regain the lead 10-7.

Orange Park would unfortunately fumble the first of two kickoff turnovers and Melbourne recovered at the Orange Park 27 yard line. A pass interference call would give Melbourne the ball at the 14 yard line and two plays later Turner would score his second rushing touchdown from six yards out to push the lead to 17-7 early in the second quarter.

The Raiders would strike back quickly after big kickoff return to the Melbourne 32 yard line. Running back Kenneth Henderson (filling in for the injured Jojo Restall) ran 17 yards to the 15 yard line. Jermel Brown would then catch a 15 yard touchdown pass to cut the lead to three points. Melbourne would add a critical score just before halftime to go ahead 24-14 before the break.

The defenses traded stops to begin the third quarter with Melbourne stopping Orange Park on a 4th down run. The Raiders defense would answer by holding Melbourne to a missed 36 yard field goal.

Henderson would convert a third down run to the 36 yard line. Craggette ran to flip a third and 10 to the Melbourne 47 yard line. Henderson would score later in the drive on a four yard run late in the third quarter and suddenly the Raiders were within three points and possessing all the momentum after Melbourne was forced to punt on their next possession.

Unfortunately, for the Raiders they were forced to punt as well and from there things went from bad to worse. Melbourne would start their drive at midfield and immediately gain 44 yards on a long pass then score two plays later on a five yard touchdown pass to push the lead to 31-21 with seven minutes left. Melbourne would “pooch” kick a high ball that Orange Park would allow to hit the ground and Melbourne would recover at the Raider 38 yard line. Melbourne would score on the next play after a busted coverage by the Raiders resulted in a wide open 38 yard touchdown pass that increased the lead to 37-21. Orange Park’s offense would stall out their last possessions and Melbourne would leave Clay County with a hard fought 16 point win.

“We were able to fight and have opportunities to take the lead but these mental errors really costs us. It’s unacceptable to make these types of mistakes if we want to be a winning teams. We are on the edge of being a good team, we have to find a way to win games like this” said Wimberly. The Raiders are back at it this Friday for Homecoming hosting St. John’s county powerhouse Nease.