GDW football team of the week from Week 8:
Good Hope Raiders: Defense has been a big item for the success of the Raiders in 2024 with a 7 & 0 record and a playoff berth clinched in AHSAA 4A, Region 5.
Hamilton visited James Shabel Stadium last Friday with the No. 2 scoring offense in 4A, producing 45.8 points a game. The Aggies were slowed down by Good Hope's defense for the Raiders to claim a 28 to 6 victory.
Good Hope held Hamilton out of the end zone on the final play of the half on 4th and goal from the Raiders' 1 yard line.
Hamilton did get a TD on a 14 yard pass play with 8:00 remaining in the game. By then, the Raiders were leading 21 to 0.
Good Hope's defense has given up just 25 points in 7 games, an average of 3.5 per contest.
Hamilton was the first to score a TD vs. the Raiders since Haleyville did in the 1st quarter on September 13 when Good Hope won 27 to 7.
The Raiders had not allowed a touchdown through 18 consecutive quarters that included back to back shutouts against Cordova 21 to 0 and Addison 27 to 0.
This will be the 6th appearance to the AHSAA playoffs for the Raiders under Alan Scott since the 2018 season.
Good Hope plays at Fayette County Friday with a victory to secure home field advantage for the first round on the weekend of November 7.
GDW performer spotlight from Week 8:
Mason Drake of Good Hope: Drake has been a valuable contributor to the Raiders' rushing attack in recent games.
On Friday vs. Hamilton, Drake rambled 57 yards to the end zone the first time the Raiders had the ball to start the 2nd half and extended the lead to 14 to 0.
Drake put the finishing touches on a 28 to 6 victory when he got loose for a TD from 21 yards out with 4:35 remaining in the game.
Drake has visited the end zone three times in the last two games the Raiders have played from James Shabel Stadium. He scored on a 68 yard run against Addison September 27 when Good Hope shut out the Bulldogs 27 to 0 on homecoming.
Photo of Good Hope RB Mason Drake gaining yardage in a game at Cordova September 20.
Photo courtesy of the Daily Mountain Eagle.
