Saturday rewind: Stratton continues delivering special teams plays for Raiders

QUINCY — Jackson Stratton understands there is an expectation now.

The Quincy Notre Dame junior linebacker scored on an opponent’s punt attempt for the second consecutive week when he scooped up Rock Island Alleman’s botched punt and returned it 2 yards into the end zone as part of a 59-0 whitewashing Friday night at Advance Physical Therapy Field.

A week ago, in the season opener against Quincy High School, Stratton picked up a blocked punt and returned it 20 yards for a touchdown.

So with Marceline (Mo.) visiting 10th and Jackson next week, Stratton better be ready to deliver again.

“That’s what they were telling me,” Stratton said with a chuckle. “They said, ‘It looks like you have to score every time because we need these points.’ Ben (Kasparie) and I were talking about that. He was like, ‘You need to score first and I’ll score after that.’ Hopefully it happens.”

The Raiders have scored on defense or special teams in nine of their last 12 games.

“We take pride in our defense,” Stratton said. “It’s a goal of our defense to shut teams out. And if you’re a really good defense, you can score on defense, too. We want to stop you, but more importantly, we want to score.”

It’s a point of pride for QND defensive coordinator Ben Morrison.

“Nothing makes him happier,” Stratton said.