By JEFFREY J. ZEIGLER/CONTRIBUTING WRITER

COURTLAND — Talk about efficient — Southampton Academy scored seven touchdowns in just eight offensive plays in the first half as the Raiders routed a depleted Northeast Academy team 64-0 in the first round of the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association 8-Man football playoffs Friday night.

The Raiders (10-0) advance to the semifinals and will host the winner of Monday night’s Halifax Academy-Parrott Academy game at Pillow Field next Friday.

The game’s statistics were more interesting than the game itself:

• Southampton Academy opened the contest a prefect 6-for-6 — six plays for six touchdowns

• The Raiders outgained the Eagles on offense 347 yards to minus 12 yards

• Six different Southampton Academy players scored touchdowns

• Neither team had a first down in the first half — the Eagles because they had negative 11 yards offense and the Raiders because they scored on almost every play

• After the Raiders went up 44-0 with 8:38 to play in the second quarter, the game was played with a running clock

After Northeast Academy (2-8) opened the game with a three and out, the Raiders began their offensive onslaught in a game played in steady rain. On their first play from scrimmage, Cam Hines raced untouched for a 63 yard touchdown and a 6-0 lead.

On the Raiders’ next series, Ethan Edwards burst through for a 50-yard touchdown. A two-point run by Matt Rose made it 14-0 with 6 minutes to play in the first quarter.

Again, on the first play of their next series, the Raiders scored on a 40-yard run by Rose for a 20-0 lead.

The broken record continued with rushing touchdowns by Tonee Hill, Rose, Nate Williams, Hines again, Williams again, and Tanner Knecht. Hines led the rushing attack with 110 yards on three carries.

Southampton Academy head coach Dale Marks knew Northeast Academy was going to have low numbers for the game.

“This is a depleted unit we faced tonight. They had a lot of injuries and did not have a lot of players,” he said.

Besides moving on to the next round and having their field torn up, the Raiders were able to play their reserves for most of the second half. With a senior-laden team this year, Marks has been happy to get his backups in several games.

“They have gotten to play a lot this year. We have had a number of games where we have been up on people,” Marks said. “You want to see your young kids get out there and play when they get a chance because they work hard in practice to make the first team better each week.

Marks also praised his starters.

“These guys have really come together this year and have done a whale of a job. I can’t say enough about them. I am proud of them,” he said.