The Pine High School Raiders took on the Pope John Paul II Jaguars at Pope John Paul II High School in Slidell, finishing off with a 26-3 victory over the Jaguars.

The Jaguars received the opening kickoff from Pine’s Seth Brown. The Jaguars got a break-away return to the Pine 28-yard line. The Raiders defense put up a strong effort

The Jaguars opted for the field goal by Bogalusa resident Andrew Arata, and took a 3-0 lead three minutes into the game.

Pope John Paul’s kickoff to the Raiders went out of bounds, and they started up at the 36.

Quarterback Derrick Dillon led the push by the Raiders, making a good connection with Paul Guttuso in the passing gaming, with two completed passes for 31 yards. Dillon also brought Adarrius Berry into the mix with three handoffs that combined for 28 yards.

Dillon opted for the run at the 9, found the path right through the Jaguars defense and made the first touchdown of the game, bringing the score to 6-3 Pine. Logan Wood attempted the extra point but was blocked by a wave of Jaguars.

Both Pine and Pope traded punts for the remainder of the first quarter.

The Raiders got off to a good start in the second quarter with Dillon throwing a short pass to Devonta Pigott at PJP’s 22. Pigott forced his way through the Jaguars’ defense and scored the Raiders’ second touchdown. Dillon tried to go for the a 2-point conversion but couldn’t push through PJP’s defense.

With the score at 12-3, the Jaguars attempted to drive down field, but quick defensive work by Pine’s Tyrais Robinson and Matt Stuart stalled them at the 46, returning the ball to the Raiders. The Jaguars defense stepped up to match Pine’s push, and despite a 12-play push, there wasn’t enough time. Pine led, 12-3, at halftime.

The third quarter boiled down to a pushing contest between the two schools, with neither team being able to convert their drives into points.

Pine managed to break the equilibrium at the start of the fourth and finish off an eight-play push. Dillon gave seven consecutive handoffs to Berry for 33 yards, putting the Raiders on the 1. Dillon opted to keep on the last play and slipped in under the Jaguars’ defense for the touchdown. Blake Nielsen took the pitch and went in for two, and it was 20-3.

Pope John Paul II again tried to rally their offense, but the Raiders’ defense held the Jaguars 10-play push to the Pine 42 yard line with a turnover on downs.

Pigott ran the first play for 12 yards. The next play went to Tory Robertson, and he went the distance for the TD. The 2-point conversion was unsuccessful, reflecting the final score at 26-3

Pine is off this week and returns to action Oct. 24 against Springfield at home.