Raiders’ balanced offense makes a statement in dominant home victory at The Stadium at W.J. Keenan
Friday night’s Keenan vs Airport football game delivered exactly the statement win the Raiders were chasing.
The sun had dropped below the trees by kickoff, but the energy inside The Stadium at W.J. Keenan was rising.
The marching band was locked in. The crowd was on its feet. Keenan’s sideline responded to every big play as if the entire team had made it together.
Then the Raiders gave everyone plenty to celebrate.
Powered by a punishing rushing performance from senior Hunter O’Neal and an explosive passing attack led by quarterback Dante Howse, Keenan defeated Airport 44–12 and improved to 3–0.
By halftime, the Raiders had built a 16–0 advantage. They never gave Airport an opening to take control.
This was more than another victory. It was a statement from a confident team playing fast, physical football in front of a fully engaged home crowd.
O’Neal powers the ground game
You couldn’t miss No. 8 if you tried.
O’Neal carried the ball 21 times for 270 yards and two touchdowns, averaging an impressive 12.9 yards per attempt. Airport knew the ball was coming his way, but slowing him down was another matter.
The senior ran downhill with purpose, breaking into the second level and forcing defenders to deal with his physical style. Every successful run brought another surge of noise from the crowd and more energy from the Keenan sideline.
O’Neal also converted two extra-point attempts, adding to a performance that helped establish the Raiders’ identity from the beginning.
No wasted motion. No hesitation. Just an experienced running back attacking the defense and a team feeding off his confidence.
Howse delivers through the air
Keenan did not have to rely on the running game alone.
Howse completed 15 of 25 passes for 315 yards and two touchdowns, giving the Raiders the balance that made their offense so difficult to contain.
He remained composed in the pocket, avoided unnecessary risks and allowed his receivers to make plays in space. When Airport committed resources to stopping O’Neal, Howse was prepared to attack downfield.
One of his sharpest throws came in the third quarter, when he placed a pass into the back corner of the end zone for a touchdown. The throw was precise, the finish was clean, and the stadium erupted.
That was Keenan’s offense at its best: confident, balanced and capable of scoring from anywhere on the field.
Wilson and Simpson stretch the field
Jordan Wilson made his four receptions count.
The receiver finished with 141 yards and a touchdown, averaging 35.3 yards per catch. His lime-green shoes caught the eye from the sideline, but his ability after the catch demanded the most attention.
On one reception near midfield, Wilson found open space and took off. His speed turned a completed pass into another explosive play for the Raiders.
Marcus Simpson Jr. provided another dependable target, catching five passes for 110 yards and a touchdown. The senior ran sharp routes, found openings in the defense and helped make Howse’s job easier.
Together, Wilson and Simpson forced Airport to defend the entire field. Concentrating on one only created opportunities for the other.
Jamari Johnson also contributed two receptions for 51 yards as Keenan continued spreading the ball among its playmakers.
Defense brings the pressure
Keenan’s defense matched the offense’s intensity.
Kristian McQueen and Conrad Hampton recorded two sacks apiece, repeatedly creating pressure and making Airport’s quarterback uncomfortable in the pocket.
The Raiders finished with 52 total tackles — 35 solo and 17 assisted — and forced one interception. Each stop brought another celebration from the sideline as the defense maintained its aggression throughout the game.
Airport generated 423 yards of offense, showing that it could move the football. However, the scoreboard told the more important story: Keenan limited those yards to 12 points and prevented Airport from matching the Raiders’ scoring pace.
Lively shows Keenan’s depth
O’Neal produced the biggest rushing numbers, but Keenan also received an important contribution from senior running back Tavares Lively.
Lively carried four times for 16 yards and scored a touchdown, showing that the Raiders have another option ready when called upon.
That depth matters. When the lead back needed a break, Keenan did not have to abandon its approach. Lively stepped in and finished a scoring opportunity.
Keenan vs Airport Football: By the Numbers
Final score: Keenan 44, Airport 12
Total offense
- Keenan: 610 yards — 295 rushing and 315 passing
- Airport: 423 yards
Keenan leaders
- Hunter O’Neal: 21 carries, 270 yards, two touchdowns and two conversions
- Dante Howse: 15-of-25 passing, 315 yards and two touchdowns
- Jordan Wilson: Four receptions, 141 yards and one touchdown
- Marcus Simpson Jr.: Five receptions, 110 yards and one touchdown
- Jamari Johnson: Two receptions, 51 yards
Defense
- 52 total tackles — 35 solo and 17 assisted
- Four sacks — McQueen and Hampton with two each
- One interception
Records
- Keenan: 3–0
- Airport: 1–2
What it means
For Keenan, the victory offered more evidence that its undefeated start is no accident.
O’Neal supplied the power. Howse delivered through the air. Wilson and Simpson created explosive plays, while the defense brought consistent pressure.
Just as noticeable was the atmosphere surrounding them. The band played, the fans stayed engaged and the sideline responded to every major moment. It felt like more than individual players compiling impressive numbers. It felt like an entire program moving together.
Airport competed and accumulated 423 offensive yards, but it could not turn enough of that production into points. Against a Keenan team capable of striking on the ground and through the air, missed scoring opportunities left little room for recovery.
Walking away from the stadium after this Keenan vs Airport football win, one thing was clear: Keenan looks different this year.
The Raiders are physical, confident and surrounded by a community ready to celebrate them. They are 3–0, and they may only be getting started.