JIM HART/Contributing Writer
jimhartrealestate@gmail.com

COURTLAND-The Southampton Academy Raiders hosted the Arendell Parrott Academy Patriots of Kinston, North Carolina, at Pillow field in Courtland and were handed their first regular season loss since the fall of 2011. The Raiders got down early and made several attempts to get back in it, but ultimately came up short in the 38-26 NCISAA Colonial Carolina 8-man loss.

Both teams seemed very evenly matched during the scoreless first quarter and the Raiders seemed to hold their own during the second half with the Raiders marching down the field 99 yards to score the first touchdown of the game with barely over a minute into the second quarter. The conversion failed and left the score at 6-0 Raiders.

The Patriots, however, were quick to answer back with a 20-yard run by Riley Cregan to even it up at 6-all after the failed conversion.

After forcing a turnover by downs, the Patriots successfully scored their second touchdown with a 53 yard rush by Davis Basden. The score was 12-6 in favor of the Patriots with 4:56 left in the second quarter after the conversion failed.

Following another set of downs, the Raiders were forced to punt and the Patriots scored quickly scored another touchdown with an 80 yard rush by Basden. The Raiders fought off the conversion, but the score was still 18-6 Patriots, and that held until the half.

On the opening of the second half, the Raiders came out swinging and were successful in forcing a turnover with an interception by Harrison Pope on the SA 38 yard line.

The Raiders marched down the field and scored a touchdown with a 21 yard connecting pass from quarterback Matt Rose to Pope. Rose kept it on the conversion and pulled off the first 2-pointer of the night to bring the Raiders to within 4 points.

On the on-side kick off to the Patriots a fumble was forced by Andrew Lowe with the ball recovered by Harrison Pope on the SA 46 yard line. The Raiders were able to capitalize on this turnover with a 30 yard pass from Rose to Pope once again, but the extra point conversion was no good. The Raiders led again 20-18 with 6:32 left in the third quarter, but it wouldn’t last long. Chase Howard ran it in from 18 yards and after a failed conversion, the score was 24-20.

The Raiders were sitting on their own 38 yard line after the kick off and the first play of the series was a pass intercepted by Jack Huddle, who ran it back 74 yards for another Patriot touchdown. The Patriots finally got a conversion and led 32-20 with 4:38 left in the 3rd quarter.

It was Deja Vu all over again with the first play after the kick off being an interception by Riley Cregan on the Patriot 18-yard line.

On the first play on the ensuing drive, Basden broke free for an 82-yard sprint and score down the Raider sideline. The conversion failed, but the Patriots were up 38-20 coming down the stretch.

The Raiders were able to return the favor on this possession, marching down the field 72 yards, capped off with a 12-yard touchdown run by Rose with only 17 seconds left in the 3rd quarter. After the failed conversion, the score was 38-26 Patriots.

With just over 10 minutes remaining in the game, Rose fumbled the ball on the 40-yard line. From then on, neither team was able to capitalize on any of the opposing teams mistakes and the ball was turned over on downs several times with the game ending in favor of the Patriots 38-26.

For the Raiders, Rose led the team in rushing with 19 carries for 134 yards and 1 touchdown followed by Edwards who rushed it 10 times for 58 yards and Williams who had 56 yards over 12 carries. In passing, Rose was 15-for-30 with a total of 185 yards, 3 touchdowns and 1 interception. Pope led receivers with 9 catches for 113 yards and 3 touchdowns, followed closely by Holland who caught 3 for 56 yards.