Under the bright lights of a chilly Thursday night, the Thomas Jefferson Raiders took the field for their homecoming game on Oct. 9. In search of their first win of the season, the Raiders played their closest game yet, against the Kentlake Falcons. The Raiders’ efforts were not enough, as the Falcons came out on top, 28-19.

“I think offensively we were a little bit better, but we just have to do a better job stopping the run on defense. That kept us off the field offensively today,” Raiders head coach Tremain Mack said.

The Raiders certainly gave their homecoming crowd a reason to cheer. After falling behind early 20-6, Thomas Jefferson rallied late, scoring two straight touchdowns in the fourth quarter.

Junior wide receiver Dawnte Smith hauled in both scores, cutting Kentlake’s lead to 20-19.

“We started off slow, but Dawnte is a kid that goes hard 100 percent every time,” Mack said. “He puts himself in the right position, understands what we’re asking him to do, and we try to put in in situations so that he can be successful along with the rest of the group.”

Following the late surge from the Raiders, Kentlake responded with a long drive of its own. The Falcons found the end zone and converted a two-point attempt to extend their lead to 28-19.

Aaron Reyes Ramos fights a tackler from Kentlake.

“We have to make a stop down there. In a situation like that, we knew it was going to come down to stopping the two-point conversion,” Mack said. “If I was the coach on the other side, I’m going for two. I knew that was coming, so we tried to set up for that, and we just unfortunately did not make the stop.”

Thomas Jefferson had one final drive to keep the comeback alive, but an interception by Falcons sophomore Lincoln Moore sealed the game.

It was hard-fought battle that ended in heartbreak for Mack and his squad. Even though the loss stung, Mack saw signs of progress that go beyond the scoreboard.

“We didn’t want it to end this way, but at the same time, there’s a lot to grow from this game. We’ll watch the film, go correct a lot of things, and come back next week,” Mack said.

The loss dropped the Raiders to 0-6 on the season and a tie for last place with Todd Beamer High School in the NPSL 3A. Despite the record, Mack remains focused on the bigger picture: growth both on and off the field.

“My thing is growth, not necessarily on the field. Because if we grow as human beings, as people in the community, the field is going to take care of itself,” he said.

In his second year leading the program, the former Cincinnati Bengal continues to focus on character and culture as much as competition. Mack believes that when his players develop as people, success on the field will follow.

“We are talking about character and changing the program and changing the culture. And once we change the culture and get to where we want it to be, which is definitely going in that direction, all the field stuff will take care of itself,” Mack said. “Our kids work hard.”

With eyes set on their first victory of the year, Thomas Jefferson will travel to Sultan on Oct. 17 for a non-league game.

Mabin Guillen fights a Kentlake tackle for Thomas Jefferson. Nathan Hyun.