Winning feels like a habit until it isn't. If you’ve been following the Cincinnati high school scene lately, you know exactly what I’m talking about. The Anderson Raptors football score has been the talk of the Eastern Cincinnati Conference (ECC) for months, mostly because, for a long while there, the Raptors looked like they simply forgot how to lose.
They ran the table. 14 straight wins. A perfect regular season.
But then came December 4, 2025. That night at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, the vibes shifted. Anderson met Avon High School in the Division II state championship, and the scoreboard at the end read Avon 37, Anderson 20. It was a tough pill to swallow for a team that had spent the last three months scoring 40 or 50 points like it was a light practice.
The Run to Canton: How They Got There
Honestly, the 2025 season was a masterclass in offensive efficiency. Coach Evan Dreyer has this program humming. They didn’t just beat people; they dismantled them.
Look at the early season. They dropped 52 on Cooper (KY) to open the year. Then 49 on West Clermont. By the time they hit the meat of the ECC schedule, the "Raptor Raid" offense was basically a meme. They hung 63 points on Milford. 63! That’s a basketball score.
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The defense wasn't exactly slacking either. Guys like Antwoine Higgins and Ace Alston were flyin' around the field. In late October, they faced a gritty Winton Woods team—always a physical matchup—and managed to escape with a 37-30 win. That game was probably the biggest test of their regular season, proving they could actually win a dogfight when the high-flying pass game got bogged down.
The Playoff Meatgrinder
Playoff football in Ohio is a different animal. You get the cold, you get the wind, and you get teams like La Salle that have been there a hundred times.
- The Regional Semifinal: A 35-28 nail-biter over La Salle. This was peak high school football. Two heavyweights swinging for four quarters.
- The Regional Final: They handled Trotwood-Madison 38-7. Absolute dominance.
- The State Semifinal: Against Big Walnut, it got sketchy. 29-22. Anderson had to show some serious heart to pull that one out at Historic Crew Stadium.
Breaking Down the Final Score
So, why did the Anderson Raptors football score go the wrong way against Avon?
If you watch the tape, Avon just had an answer for the tempo. Anderson thrives on playing fast—getting to the line, snapping the ball before the defense can breathe. Avon stayed disciplined. They forced a few key turnovers and managed to keep the Raptors' offense off the field for long stretches.
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When you’re used to scoring in three plays, and suddenly you’re sitting on the bench for six minutes while the other team slowly grinds out a drive, it messes with your rhythm. It’s frustrating. You could see it on the sidelines. Despite the loss, finishing 14-1 is an incredible feat. Most teams would kill for a "bad" season that ends in a state runner-up trophy.
Why the 2025 Team Was Different
This wasn't just another talented squad. Dreyer’s 10th season at the helm was special because of the depth. Usually, you have one "guy" everyone keys on. With the 2025 Raptors, you had to worry about Tysin Weaver, Cooper Kathman, and Brody Poetter. You pick your poison, and usually, the poison tastes like a 40-yard touchdown.
Coach Dreyer actually won the Paul Brown Excellence in Coaching Award from the Bengals this past December. It’s well-deserved. He’s built a culture where the morning practices—which are kind of legendary for being intense but efficient—actually translate to Friday night success.
What to Watch for in 2026
Looking ahead, the question is always: "Can they do it again?"
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The Raptors lose some heavy hitters to graduation, but the pipeline in Forest Hills is deep. The JV team went 8-2 this past year, which suggests the talent gap won't be as wide as rivals might hope.
If you're looking for the next Anderson Raptors football score to be a win, keep an eye on the 2026 season opener. They usually schedule a tough non-conference opponent to set the tone.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
- Check the 2026 Schedule: Keep an eye on the official Anderson Raptors Athletics site. They usually drop the new fall schedule in late spring.
- Support the Boosters: High-level programs like this run on community support. If you want to see more playoff runs, getting involved with the forest hills athletic boosters is the move.
- Watch the Replays: If you missed the state final, the OHSAA usually has streaming archives. It’s worth a watch just to see the technical side of how Avon neutralized the Raptor Raid.
The 2025 season might have ended with a loss, but the standard in Anderson Township has clearly been set. It's state-title-or-bust now. Sorta scary for everyone else in the ECC, right?