Raiders Prevail in Thrilling Week 3 Clash Against El Paso Red Devils
By Vic Thomas, Beat Reporter, Des Moines Register
In a divisional showdown that brought long-time rivals together for the first time as division foes, the Des Moines Metro Raiders welcomed the El Paso Red Devils in a Week 3 clash that promised excitement and anticipation. With both teams vying for supremacy within their division, the Raiders, who entered the contest with a 0-2 record, were laden with intriguing storylines leading up to the game.
Fresh off a heartbreaking loss last week to the Wombats, the Raiders made a bold move, parting ways with Head Coach Katt Fleur and appointing Benny Crocker as the Interim Coach. The franchise had lofty expectations, and it became apparent that Fleur wasn’t delivering the desired results. These high expectations were then entrusted to Crocker, who was tasked with preventing the dreaded 0-3 start from befalling the team.
Despite their winless start, the Raiders, who had displayed flashes of promise throughout the season, entered Week 3 as favorites against the Red Devils. Las Vegas oddsmakers set the spread at -8.4 in favor of the home team. Meanwhile, the Red Devils came into the game at 1-1, grappling with several key injuries. The game lived up to its billing as the two divisional rivals engaged in a back-and-forth battle, trading shots and momentum swings.
Owner Jon Dvorak, known for setting high expectations for his club, openly admitted, “I was a nervous wreck,” when asked about his feelings in the late stages of the Week 3 game. “If you don’t feel nervous, you don’t care, and if you don’t care, you don’t belong in this organization,” Dvorak added, subtly alluding to former coach Katt Fleur.
While Dvorak and Raiders fans across the Metro area anxiously watched the events of Week 3 unfold on Monday Night Football in Tampa, Coach Crocker emphasized the importance of trust and resilience. He stated, “All you can do is trust your guys and do your best to put them in the right position to win. Every single one of them showed the resilience and grit I was looking for this week, right up until the final minute.”
In the end, the Raiders managed to pull ahead of the Red Devils, securing their first home victory of the season with a final score of 125.9 to 112.8. Key performances from Christian McCaffery, A.J. Brown, and D’Andre Swift, all of whom contributed over 18 points each, propelled the Raiders to the win. The team seems to be responding positively to the new coaching staff, despite the ongoing struggles of quarterback Justin Fields.
As the Raiders revel in their Week 3 triumph, they now turn their attention to Week 4, where they will face the red-hot Commandos. With newfound momentum and a renewed sense of purpose, the Des Moines Metro Raiders aim to continue their ascent in the league, with their loyal fan base eagerly cheering them on.
