Senior running back Marquis Simmons rushed for 270 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Raiders to a 38-24 win over Leander Friday, Sept. 11.

“It was a really good test for us in the first half, we came out and passed it,” Simmons said. “And then when we turned it over to the second half we failed. We just got to come out and pass the second side.”

On the opening kickoff of the Battle for Bible, senior Morgan Vest ran 40 yards to bring the ball into Lions’ territory at the 47. A few minutes later, Simmons put the Raiders on the board first with a 7-yard touchdown.

Leander was forced to settle for a field goal on their first series, cutting the lead to 8-3. But only seconds later Simmons scored again in the first quarter, breaking away for a 56-yard touchdown to increase the Raiders’ lead to 15-3.

In the second quarter, the Raiders added 16 points, with wide receiver Thomas Glenn making a 21-yard touchdown catch and Simmons scoring his third touchdown of the night. Senior Matt Dunfee tacked on a field goal for a 31-3 lead at halftime.

Leander opened up the second half with a strong drive, scoring from the 4. But the Lions fumbled on their next possession, giving the Raiders the ball on the Lions 38. Quarterback Michael Forster ran it in for the team’s fifth touchdown, to make it 38-9.

The Lions made a comeback bid in the fourth quarter, scoring 97-yard and 49-yard touchdowns in less than four minutes.

Winning the fourth Battle for Bible, the Raiders improving to 3-1 in the series and 1-2 on the 2015 season.

“It feels good to get our first win of the season,” Forster said. “Special shout out to Marquis for running all over them and getting one of his record highs of over 250 yards. We definitely need to close out the game better but I’m just glad to get the win.”

The Raiders travel to Kuempel Stadium Friday to open district against Pflugerville at 7:30 p.m.

“Leander just played Pflugerville so we know what to expect from them, but another game is just more experience, it’s just great to have that,” Forster said.