WEST POINT – The Oak Hill Academy Raiders secured a multi-touchdown rivalry win against the Winston Academy Patriots with just minutes left in the game.
Raiders-Patriots has always been a notable rivalry but this year had a totally different outcome than 2024 did. Last season, WA dominated OHA with a 47-16 win; Oak Hill Academy upped their standards this year and walked away with a 28-7 win.
OHA Head Coach Tom Goode knew in spring he had a much-improved team, but it’s their ability to step up when it matters most that has them playing well this season.
“We challenged them at halftime to come out and the better team would win, and so that was a challenge at halftime,” Goode said.
The first half of the game was a slow one regarding points put up between the Raiders and Patriots, but things got physical among the players, making it clear that this game was more than just a normal regular-season game. Oak Hill running back Boston Cunningham bagged the first six points for his team followed by a successful two point conversion.
“We got there early and quickly,” Cunningham said. “That pushes the momentum going through the rest of the quarter and the rest of the game, so we just keep that lead.”
The Patriots defense made it difficult for Oak Hill to put up points, but offensive tackle Brody Glusenkamp made sure that it was possible for his team.
“‘New OHA’ is what we call it,” Glusenkamp said. “We have a new level of physicality and we’re looking to ground and pound.”
Aside from the offense, the Raiders defense put a stop to any meaningful yardage for the Patriots, keeping them to seven points. WA scored their sole touchdown in the second quarter and could not manage to find the end zone again after that.
The second half came around and it was almost a new team on the field for Oak Hill. Both Brody Buchanan and Conner Stokes found themselves with the ball that was intended for Winston’s players, allowing the Raiders offense to run out on the field once again.
After Buchanan’s interception, Cunningham scored his second touchdown of the night, taking the Raiders to a 16-7 lead. Oak Hill’s defense continued to lock the Patriots down, paving the way for the Raiders offense to provide the finishing touches, as Oak Hill added two touchdowns in the game’s last four minutes.
“I think that by the fourth quarter they have a tendency to wear some teams down, and I think that’s what happened tonight,” Goode said.
The Raiders ended the game with a final sack on WA’s quarterback, sending them home with a road loss. Oak Hill is now 6-1, compared to their 0-9 season last year.
Oak Hill will head to Leake Academy on Oct. 10 with hopes of continuing 2025’s remarkable turnaround.
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