Racine Raiders Edge Out Upstate Predators in Thrilling Gridiron Bowl XV, Claim 11th National Title

Racine, Wisconsin –The Racine Raiders secured a hard-fought victory in Gridiron Bowl XV, narrowly defeating the Upstate Predators 7-6 on Saturday night at Historic Horlick Field. The win earned the Raiders their 11th national title, reaffirming their dominance in developmental football.

The game’s only touchdown came early, as Joe Garcia electrified the home crowd with a stunning 53-yard punt return, putting the Raiders on the board with 7:27 left in the first quarter. This early score set the tone for a gritty defensive battle, with both teams struggling to gain ground as the game progressed.

As the final quarter began, the Raiders clung to a 7-0 lead, with the Predators threatening deep in Racine territory. However, Racine's defense held strong, highlighted by a crucial 4th-down sack by Jake Mittelstaedt on Predators quarterback Billy Joiner. This defensive stand allowed the Raiders to regain possession and control the game’s tempo.

Despite a late push from the Predators, who managed a 3-yard touchdown run by Tre Jones Sr., their attempt at a 2-point conversion failed, leaving the Raiders with a narrow 7-6 lead. A critical 3rd & 10 conversion from Raiders quarterback Andre Locke to Jordan Payne effectively sealed the game, allowing Racine to run down the clock and secure their second consecutive Gridiron Bowl title.

With this victory, the Racine Raiders solidified their legacy as one of the premier teams in developmental football, capping off another incredible season with a national championship.

Player of the Game:
Raiders wide receiver Joe Garcia III was named game MVP.