Wauwatosa loses third straight grid decision

The Wauwatosa Spartans dropped their third straight Mid-State Football League game Aug. 9, losing a 43-20 decision to the unbeaten Racine Raiders (4-0) at Horlick Field.

Tosa hasn't won since their opener, as they kept the game close before the powerful Raiders pulled away in the second half.

Things started well as the second play of the game saw Raider running back J.R. Taylor fumble and Spartan defensive back Winston Roberts recover on the 24-yard line. Minutes later, quarterback Tony Henner hit wide receiver JaJuan Zolicoffer for a touchdown on fourth down and an early 6-0 lead after a blocked extra point.

But the Raiders came back with a 68-yard drive to even things, finishing with a Craig McClelland pass to wide receiver Traves Worthington for a touchdown and a 6-6 tie after a missed extra point.

Early in the second quarter, Taylor redeemed himself for his fumble by scoring on a 3-yard touchdown run, giving the Raiders a 12-6 lead after a failed two-point conversion attempt.

The Spartans took the lead again on the next drive, when Henner again found Zolicoffer, this time for a 57-yard touchdown and a 13-12 lead. But it was short-lived as the Raiders scored again on their next possession, as running back Tyrone Galvin took it 39 yards for the score and a 19-13 lead. Taylor added another 3-yard touchdown run later in the second, giving the Raiders the 26-13 lead.

Before the half, the Spartans mounted an impressive 80-yard drive, ending with an 8-yard touchdown pass from Henner to wide receiver Greg Rebella as time expired, moving the Spartans closer at 26-20.

The second half was all Racine, as the Spartans failed to score again. The Raiders added another short touchdown run from Taylor early, followed by a 31-yard field goal by Justin Schoepke and an Ivry Ashley 5-yard touchdown run, making it 43-20.

"We started well and kept punching back until halftime, but then some mistakes really put us out of contention in the second," said Spartan head coach Brandy Spoerl. "We muffed a punt, failed to score with the ball on the 1-yard line and missed several key tackles that would have stopped drives."

Henner was 13-for-31 for 168 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. Running back Travis York amassed 89 yards on 16 carries, and Jerome Walker added 77 yards on 14 carries. Zolicoffer led all receivers with five catches for 107 yards and two touchdowns.

The Spartans host the Chicago Thunder (2-2) next Saturday at Hart Park. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.