The Eastman Raiders Football season has officially wrapped up as the Raiders Atom and Peewee teams lost their games in the playoffs.  

Crunchers Teams don't keep score, so teams don’t have playoff games but instead play in a year-end jamboree. 

The President of the Eastman Raiders Football club, Gavin Don, is pleased with the efforts of everyone. He says they had a good run.  

“We're all very proud of what the coaches and the players have achieved this year.” 

He says that more kids joined the Raiders teams this year compared to past, and the crowd has also grown as more people are coming out to watch the games. 

“We've seen a lot more people coming out to the field to actually watch the games this year. It's been really satisfying to watch, and it's really encouraging for the future. 

Now that this season’s over, it is time to prepare for the next one. 

Don says they have asked the coaches if they plan to coach again next year, and they are also hoping to have a Bantam team next year. 

“We will be speaking with the Peewee players that are aging out of the program this year to see if we can convince the majority of them to come back and play Bantam.” 

When it comes to the Raiders Canteen being vandalized this fall, he says repairs are done, but they won't have a slush machine till next season. Don says the last home game was quite cold, so he doubts that many people would have wanted slushies anyway.

“The hot chocolate, I think, was the order of the day.” 

Don thanks the coaches, parents, and fans for supporting the Raiders this past year. 

“Without them, there is no program. The parents put up with a lot. They come out three or four nights a week for practice, even when the weather is not that great. Coaches give up an awful lot of time too. Just thanks to everybody that makes the season a success.” 

Don says their executive team is already making plans for the 2023 football season and are hoping there will be enough Bantam-aged players to form a team next year. 

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