By ANDREW FAISON/CONTRIBUTING WRITER
andrew.faison@yahoo.com

COURTLAND—Whether Southampton Academy won by two points or three points is a subject for debate, but this much is certain: The Raiders beat Quantico High School in an offensive shootout on homecoming Friday night.

The referees said the final score was 47-45, but statisticians and a reporter’s recap showed clearly that the visitors had 44 points. Regardless, it was a win for SA, which improved to 6-2.

“When you don’t play well and you can still win, and it is your homecoming, it’s OK,” said Raider head coach Dale Marks, whose team was ranked fifth again this week in the Virginia Independent Schools Division 4 poll.

The Raiders’ offense, led by three 100-yard rushers, amassed 486 yards on just 34 plays. Rashodd Maxey had 7 rushes for 133 yards and two touchdowns. He also was 3 of 4 passing for 102 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

Will Edwards had 15 carries for 114 yards and two rushing touchdowns, and David Bogese had 10 carries for 106 yards and a rushing touchdown, as well as a receiving touchdown.

“We moved the ball well offensively,” Marks said. “We just didn’t stop them defensively. That is what it boiled down to.”

The Raiders did come up with a defensive stop when it counted. Having already pulled within a field goal in the fourth quarter, Quantico got the ball at its own 35-yard line with 1:37 left. The drive went nowhere, however, as a sack and intentional grounding penalty pushed the Warriors back to their own 15. Carson Camp then intercepted a Quantico pass to seal the victory for SA.

For Quantico, 3-5, Chase King went 4 for 7 passing for 70 yards with one touchdown and carried 28 times for 110 yards with three rushing touchdowns.

“They (Quantico) played hard tonight,” said Marks, “and they had some nice athletes.”

The game was tied 13-13 after one quarter, and SA led 35-31 at intermission after a wild and crazy second quarter that featured three touchdowns in the final 1:14.

A 62-yard scoring strike from Maxey to Camp with 18.9 seconds left gave the home team the halftime lead.

A 44-yard touchdown run by Edwards early in the fourth quarter gave SA the lead for good.

“We had a week off,” said Marks, “and we just did not execute like we should have tonight.”

The Raiders travel to rival Isle of Wight Academy next week. Game time is 7 p.m.

“Next week is going to be tough,” Marks said. “It’s always tough playing at Isle of Wight. They are coached well, and they are going to play hard. It’s just going to be tough.”