The Rhode Island Raptors : Welcome

   Welcome to the homepage of the RHODE ISLAND RAPTORS. Rhode Islands premier semi-pro football team. The RAPTORS are in the AAA Division of the N.E.F.L (New England Football League). The RAPTOR Organization was started in 2004, by team owner Jim Mason. The Southern Rhode Island talent was finally tapped, and introduced to the N.E.F.L. Southern R.I has always been a huge talent base for many years. 2004 was the start of a winning tradition. Join the RAPTOR family and come support us, as we represent Rhode Island proudly, on the football field.

"NEW DIVISION & NEW ATTITUDE"
Raptor Organization has decided to move into Semi Pro Football's Highest level and compete in the "AAA" Division. The RAPTORS have played their first 3 seasons in the "A" Division, and are now chomping at the bit to take on the absolutely best that semi pro football has to offer. A winning tradition was started in 2004 and will carry on for years to come . The Former "Single A" Champions will now try to add the "AAA" Championship to their Legacy. With the abundance of new players and talent already here. The Raptors are will unleash a Beast on the AAA division.


Anyone interested in trying out, or need information on how to be apart of either one of Rhode Islands Premier Semi-Pro Football Teams , Please contact Raptor Owner Jim Mason at   jamraptors@aol.com or call (401) 636-0689
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              " RHODE ISLAND RAPTOR 

             HALL OF FAME "

~  2007   #4  ANDREW SMITH   QB/LB 

     - 2 Time NEFL All-Star (2005 Game MVP) 

    - 3 Time Team Offensive MVP 

    - 2005 NEFL SuperBowl Champion 

~  2007   # 6  ROGER HAZARD   CB/RB/ATH

    - 4 Time NEFL All-Star - 2007 Team Defensive MVP 

     - 2005 NEFL SuperBowl Champion 

     - 2005 NEFL SuperBowl Game MVP
 
•     - 2007 Team Defensve MVP
  

~  2007   # 1  JOSH JOHNSON   RB/LB/K

    - 3 Time NEFL All-Star 
    - 2007 Team Offensive MVP 

    - 3 Time Team Player of the Year 
    - 2005 NEFL SuperBowl Champion 

~  2007   # 33  JAMES MASON   LB

    - 2006 NEFL All-Star 

    - 3 Time team Captain 

   - 2005 NEFL SuperBowl Champion 
 

~  2007   # 95  LEROY MASON   DE

    - 2 Time NEFL All-Star 

     - 2005 Team "lineman of the Year"
 
•      - 2005 SuperBowl Champion 
  
       - 2006 NEFL Defensive MVP
  
   
  

........................... 2007 SEASON ...........................................

Week #1 RAPTORS 7, Wildcats 13 (Overtime)
- RAPTORS begin their first AAA season with a tough overtime loss at home, to the very talented Worcester County Wildcats. RAPTORS blew the game open by forcing turnovers and jumping to a 7-0 lead in the first quarter after a 10 yard bulldozing run by FB #1 Josh Johnson. Wildcats hit a big play in the Second quarter to tie the game up at 7 a piece. Raptors and Wilcats had plenty of chances to win in regulation, with missed field goals. Both defenses put on clinics on how to play defense. Wildctas took advantage of a RAPTOR turnover on the Raptor 9 yard line and connected on a corner endzone pass for the overtime win.
(Raptor Game MVP goes to #56 Dustin Peno)

Week #2 RAPTORS 0, S.M. RagingBulls 20
-RAPTORS drop to 0-2 for the season. The Southern Maine Raging Bulls came into Rhode Island and played a really solid and tough game. Offense was no where to be found on either side. 2 first quarter field goals were the only offensive points scored. RAPTOR defense was aggressive and hard hitting till the end of the game. Bulls defense scores two touchdowns in the 4th quarter on fumble recoveries. RAPTORS now set to travel to the defending 2 time AAA Champions Boston Bandits.
(RAPTORS Game MVP goes to #21 Jermain Hazard)

Week #3 RAPTORS 10, Boston Bandits 14
-Raptors lose their first away game in a heartbreaker to the 2 time defending champs. Raptor offense took the opening kickoff and drove 80 yards to take a 7-0 lead. Bandits scored on a long pass to tie the score up just before the half. Boston kept it going by taking the opening drive the of the second half and hit another homerun pass for the 14-7 lead. After closing the gap to 14-10, the Raptors had a chance for the go ahead TD, but fumbled deep in Bandits territory in the 4th quarter.

Week #4 RAPTORS 3, New England Hawks 12
- Continuing the streak of losing heartbreakers, The Raptors held a 3-0 lead into the 4th quarter, until the Hawks running game finally capitolized on Raptors turnovers and sprinted for two long TD runs, and then held the ball until time expired.

Week #5 RAPTORS 0, Worcester Wildcats 27
-Raptors ran into a buzzsaw in Worcester MA, as the Wildcats took advantage of the Raptor miscures, injuries and lack of numbers. Big play after Big play, Wildcat scored on the Raptor Defense.

Week #6 RAPTORS 7, New England Hawks 9
- Back to losing heartbreaking games. Raptors lose a tough one in Haverhill MA. Trailing 9-7 deep in the 4th quarter, a costly holding penalty took the Raptors out of fieldgoal range and killed a game winning drive. Hawks ran the clock out and took the victory

Week #7 RAPTORS 0, Middleboro Cobras 31
- Raptors Drop to 0-7 as the #1 Ranked Cobras team took advantage of a short field and turnovers.

Week #8 Raptors 0, SM Raging Bulls 6 ( Forfiet)
- Raptors fall to 0-8 after not being able to field a team up to Portland Maine.

Week #9 Raptors 6, Lowell Nor'Easter 26
-Raptors put up a good fight against the One loss and first place Lowell team. Lowell brought a solid and sound championship football team down to Rhode Island, and was clearly a matchup of what an organization and team should be and one that wants to be. No doubt the Lowell team has clas and showed it. Definitly a model of what the raptoprs hope to be in the coming years

Week #10 Raptors 6, Weymouth Sharks 21
-Raptors close out the season dropping its final game to the Sharks up in Boston. Playing Iron Man football wont cut it in this division. To all the players who stuck out and made it thru the season, You have heart, and our record this year, doesnt not reflect our efforts and accomplishments.




........................... 2006 SEASON ...........................................

Raptors Announce 2006 All-Stars
#1 RB/LB Josh Johnson
#4 QB    Drew Smith
#6 CB/Ath Roger Hazard
#9 WR    Buddy Dean
#33 LB    James Mason Jr.
#54 OL    Shane Vazquez
#55 OL/DL Larry Robinson
#95 DE    Leroy Mason
*Congrats to all that made it, Im sure you will represent the Raptors well in the Nov. 4th All-Star Game in Manchester NH

!!!!!!!!!(2006 Season Year End Awards)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Newcomer of the Year       : OL    Shane Vaquez, & OL/DT Will Stanton
Team Inspiration Award    : RB    John "Cakey" Hazard
Mr.110%Pure Adrenaline    : OT/DE Dustin Peno
Old School knowledge award : OL/DL Larry Robinson
Comeback Player of the Year: LB    Mike "Donut" Lafountain
Most Improved Award       : OL    Keith Sampson, & DT J. Perry
Lineman of the Year       : OL    Will Stanton, & OL/DL Josh White
Team Leader Award          : QB    Drew Smith
Defensive P.O.Y            : LB    Marcus Akinkuowo (2 Time)
Offensive P.O.Y            : QB    Drew Smith (2 Time)
Most Valuable Player       : RB/LB Josh Johnson (2 time)


2006 Season Recap.................................
Game #1 7/22- RAPTORS 0 v.s. Southern New England Rage 20 (LOSS)
SNE Rage Took advantage of early Raptor miscues and turnovers and jumped out to a 17-0 lead in the first half, and coasted the second half just adding 3 more points. Overall WE didnt bring our Best game and the well experience and game tested Rage team took well advantage of it.

Game #2 8/5- Raptors 8 v.s Monadnock Marauders 8 (TIE) OT.
What was a true defensive battle under very intense heat. Both offenses stuggled to put points on the board. Raptor offense had no problem moving the ball, having been inside the Marauder 30 yard line many times. Definitly give props to both defenses for putting on a great show in 5 intense quarters.

Game #3 8/12-Raptors 24 v.s Southern NH Beavers 7 (WIN)
Raptors Scored early and often on the Home Beavers, as the test of our first road game was passed.

Game #4 8/19-Raptors 14 v.s Monadnock Marauders 8 (WIN) OT.
Raptors improve to a 2-1-1 record after defeating a great Marauders team ono their home field. Another overtime game between the two teams. Both defenses played great. Big props to the Raptor Defense who dominated the whole game. 2-0 record on the road this season, keep up the good work fellas

Game #5 8/26- Raptors 13 v.s SNH Beavers 0, (WIN)
Raptors Defense dominated all fasits of this one. As the defending Champs achieved their first shutout victory in the regular season since their very first game. Raptor offense put on a show thru the air and on the ground.
Raptors improve to 3-1-1.

Game #6 9/16- Raptors 19 v.s H.C Devils 20, (Loss)
Raptors drop a heartbreaker in Manchester over the weekend. After clearly outplaying the hometeam, penalties and turnovers got the best of the Raptors in the second half. After jumpin gout to a quick 13-0 lead. But theres no doubt the Raptors have found something they can cherish. The true ground and pound philosophy they've been looking for. Great job running the ball fellas. Rematch this week in the Jungle. REVENGE WILL BE SWEET..........

Game #7 9/23- Raptors 15 v.s H.C. Devils 7, (WIN)
Raptors returned home and got revenge against the Devils for last weeks crushing mistake full loss. The Punishing running attack wore down the Devils defense. And other then the one scoring drive they gave up in the second quarter, the Defense played lights out. Big Props the Both Offensive and Defensive lines for the vaunted "Ground & Pound" strategy. Next week we seek revenge againt SNE Rage.

Game #8 9/30- Raptors 7 v.s SNE Rage 17, (Loss)
Raptors fall to the Rage in a very intense hard fought game in Mansfield. Short many starters on offense and defense, the Raptors played their hearts out and quite frankly shot themselves in the foot too many times. When you play a solid team like the Rage, you can not make carless mistakes. But no matter how much the Rage help prepare the Mauraders for us in the playoffs. We will see the Rage again, This time with a full squad, and take our rightfull spot iin the Championship game.

Playoff 10/15- Raptors 8, v.s Monadnock Marauders 11, (Loss) 2OT
Raptors lose a heartbreaking double overtime thriller in South Kingstown. Both defenses played lights out, and the game came down to a field goal. As the Marauders walked out the winners. Absolutley great game played by both teams. Marauders are a truly great team, and a first class organization. We wish them great luck in the future. Perhaps a new rivalry is born as Raptors and Marauders played 3 times, with combined 4 overtimes. Every game was fun and worth the price of admission to any football fan.
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...................2005 SEASON...................................

!!!!!!!!!!!!!    AWARDS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Newcomer of the year   : DE Big Mossy
Team Spirit Award       : RB #34 "Cake" John Hazard
Mr.110%Pure Adrenaline : OG Dustin Peno
Old School knowledge award: ILB Jason Pope and OLB Dave Pope ( no relation )
Comeback Player of the Year: RB Drew Irby and FB Josh Johnson
Most Improved            : CB Chris Hagan
Lineman of the Year    : C Andrew Langlois and DE Leroy Mason
Team Leader Award    : OT Shawn Hazard
Defensive P.O.Y         : LB Marcus Akinkuowo
Offensive P.O.Y         : QB Drew Smith and RB M. Wilson
Most Valuable Player : FB/LB Josh Johnson

2005 SEASON RECAP............

RAPTORS WIN GAME #1
Rhode Island Raptors win first game over Connecticut Storm 34-6 @ CT Storm
Dominant on Both sides. Way to play fellas

RAPTORS WIN GAME #2
The Raptor Defense was outstanding today, against the so called explosive New England Rage Offense. Raptors Offense started out great with a 22-0 lead in the second quarter. That seamed to be enough, as their offense didnt need to score anymore after that.
Raptors Win 22-15

Raptors Win Game #3
Long trip to Alfred Maine, brings back a 38-12 win for the Raptors. Intense heat and the long ride showed no affects on the Raptors, who ran the ball at will. Cobras showed alot of heart, but the raptors overwhelmed the Cobras on both sides. Great job to all the 2nd and 3rd string guys, who saw alot of time in the second half, as the heat got worse.

Raptors Fall To Rage in Game #4
Rematch goes to SNE Rage. The Rage brought they're (A) game and we didnt. Rage Defense did a good job keep our offense out of cink. Have a feeling there will be a 3rd game in the future this year. This time both teams will be at their best.

Raptors win Game #5. Raptors return to their winning ways. Raptors improved to (4-1) this holiday weekend by defeating the Hillsborough Devils 12-6 (OT) Winning Touchdown by Josh Johnson. Hard fought game on both sides. Both defenses practically pitched shut outs. End of regulation the score was 6-6. Both touchdowns came on one big plays. The Rematch this weekend (9/11), should be even better. Two great defenses squaring off. Who's ever offense comes to play or doesnt at least turn the ball over, will probably win it.

Raptors win Game #6. Raptors Make it a clean sweep of the Hillsborough Devils. Winning a tough fought game for the second week in a row of a score of 9-3. Both defenses brought it again. Offense was really hard to find on the field. Raptors improve to 5-1, Devils fall to 3-3.

Raptors Win Game #7. Raptors won a tough fought victory against a very much improved CT Storm 18-12. Having fallen behind 12-0 in the first quarter. The Raptors countered with 14 points in the second quarter. Defense played lights out after that and did some scoring of their own with 2 Safties in the second half. And finished the Game with a game saving goal line stand with seconds remaining. Raptors improve to 6-1.

Raptors Win Game #8. Raptors finished the regular season with a overwhelming 61-3 victory over the Maine Tomcats, in Portland Maine. The team speed of the Raptors was just too much for the Tomcats. From the start of the Game till the end the Raptors dominated on both sides of the ball. Raptors finished the season with a 7-1 record , and The Southern Division Champs.

Southern Conference Championship. A tremendous game was played by both teams. My opinion the 2 best teams in the league. Raptors dominated all fasits of the game. Making plays, and scoring on Offense, defense, special teams. My opinion the best overall game the Raptors played ever. And it took that effort to beat a great SNE Rage team. The Rage are a model organization, with talent, heart and class. Just like the previous two regular season games, the team that won, was the team that brought their (A) Game. Final Score Raptors 26, Rage 7.

!!!!!!!!!!!!2005 NEFL (A) DIVISION CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We did it. After traveling 6 hours north, and missing a third of the team, playing in the worst field conditions possible ( rain, cold, mud) we overcame all obsticles and conquered a great team. Rhode Island Raptors defeated the Home team Penobscott Seadragons 16-0 to become the 2005 NEFL Champions. Was a real defensive battle with no offensive points scored. Two defensive fumble recoveries, and a safty sealed the game. The Championship game MVP award went to #6 CB Roger Hazard, for scoring on two defensive touchdowns and intercepting one pass. The Dragons were truly the real deal. Game could have gone either way. We want to thank the hand full of Raptors fans who made the trip up north to support us, as well as the great fans that traveled all over New England to our 9 away games. In just our second year, we did it. In the words of our hype man and Captain #56 Shawn Hazard we "REPRESENT"
Be proud South County, we started a winning tradition.
All year long, in all the travels, we chanted "Raptors Are Here"
From now on we can chant " The Champs Are Here"
2005 A YEAR TO REMEMBER ......................