Racine Repeats as Gridiron Bowl Champions

The Racine Raiders have a successful history in semipro football, and they added their 11th title edging the Upstate Predators 7-6 in Saturday’s Gridiron Bowl XV to repeat as Gridiron Developmental Football League (GDFL) champions.  

You can watch the game on YouTube:  https://youtu.be/wJGEwS2Ryno?si=gb2AJ0GKF3B66G_B

The game’s only touchdown came early, as Joe Garcia electrified the home crowd with a stunning 53-yard punt return, putting the Raiders on the board with 7:27 left in the first quarter. This early score set the tone for a gritty defensive battle, with both teams struggling to gain ground as the game progressed.

Despite a late push from the Predators, who managed a 3-yard touchdown run by Tre Jones Sr., their attempt at a 2-point conversion failed, leaving the Raiders with a narrow 7-6 lead. A critical 3rd & 10 conversion from Raiders quarterback Andre Locke to Jordan Payne effectively sealed the game, allowing Racine to run down the clock and secure their second consecutive Gridiron Bowl title.

Racine (11-0) won the Xtreme North Division then was awarded a 2-0 win over the Knoxville Grizzlies in the first round when Knoxville failed to make the trip to Racine.  The Raiders then shutout the Tri-City Outlaws 32-0 in the semifinals.  The Upstate Predators (8-2) from Rochester, New York, finished second in the Impact North Division.  They beat the Capital City Seahawks (28-22) and Syracuse Strong (14-0) in the playoffs. 

GRIDIRON BOWL CHAMPIONS

I (2010) Carolina Warriors

II (2011) Chambersburg Cardinals

III (2012) Central Penn Piranha

IV (2013) Oklahoma Thunder

V (2014) Central Penn Piranha

VI (2015) Nashville Storm

VII (2016) Oklahoma Thunder

VIII (2017) Oklahoma Thunder

IX (2018) Oklahoma Thunder

X (2019) Oklahoma Thunder

XI (2020) Cancelled due to COVID-19

XII (2021) Erie Express

XIII (2022) Syracuse Strong

XIV (2023) Racine Raiders

XV (2024) Racine Raiders