By Frank Davis/Correspondent

Courtland—In a barn burner of a football game between two unbeaten teams, it was Southampton Academy that came out on top with a 80 -60 win.

The game stayed fairly close until midway through the fourth quarter, as the Hobgood Academy Raiders put up a good fight Friday night at Pillow Field. Southampton Academy Coach Dale Marks stated after the game “they have a very talented group of players.” Southampton Academy had their hands full trying to stop Hobgood’s Greg Mullins, as he single handedly rushed for 365 yards and 6 touchdowns during the game. “They are quick and strong and get out front and block for him as he does his thing,” added Marks.

But for the home team, they were not without their horses in the running game. Tonee Hill rushed for 234 yards and 3 touchdowns, followed by Ethan Edwards with 127 yards & 3 td’s and Matt Rose, who rushed for 120 yards and 2.

Marks commented that he was proud of his kids as they stuck it out in the second half.

The home team jumped out to a quick 14 – 0 lead early in the first quarter following touchdown runs by Ethan Edwards and Matt Rose. Hobgood’s Mullins got his first touchdown in the first quarter on a 17 yard run. The first quarter ended with Southampton up 14–6.

In the second quarter, Southampton Academy pushed the score to lead 44 – 28, and seemed on its way to an easy win. Scoring on touchdown runs for the Raider were Cameron Hines, Edwards, Rose and Hill.

But opening the third quarter, Hobgood’s Mullins broke free on a 50 yard td run on the opening kick-off. He also ran the two point conversion to close the score to 44–36.

On the next Southampton Academy possession, Hill broke free for a 55 yard td run and Rose added the two point conversion to increase their lead to 52 -36.

Hobgood came right back and Jawan Marshal scored on from one yard out to put the score at 52–42 after a failed two point conversion.

Southampton Academy’s next score came on a td pass from Rose to Hill, and though the two point conversion failed the home team went up by a score of 58- 42.

Mullins added the last td of the third quarter as it ended 58 – 48.

In fourth quarter action, Hill scored from the 35 yard line, and Rose crossed the goal line for the two point conversion to increase the Raider’s lead to 66 – 48.

On Hobgood’s next possession, the unstoppable Mullins bobbed and weaved his way for 65 yards to close the score to 66 – 54.

Southampton’s Cameron Hines scored next on a 19 yard run and also the two point conversion as the score changed to 74 -54 with 6:30 remaining in the game.

Hill added the last of Southampton’s scoring on a 24 yard run to advance the score to 80 – 54.

Mullins added his last td on a 29 yard run.