by Dale Marks

COURTLAND
After finishing an undefeated regular season, the Southampton Academy varsity football team lost a heartbreaker to Parrott Academy in the first round of the NCISAA 8-man state playoffs. Avenging a 42-22 loss to the Raiders earlier in the season, the Patriots — playing with several players that were not available in the first game — came away with a hard-fought 25-24 victory.

The Raiders struck first on a 9-yard touchdown run by quarterback Sam Rose at the 7:10 mark of the first quarter. The 2-point conversion run by Roy Hill was successful, making the score 8-0 Raiders.

Parrott quarterback Connor Bright then hit Cole Daniels on a 6-yard touchdown pass with Daniels running the 2-point conversion, knotting the score to 8 apiece with 4:32 left in the first quarter. At 9:40 of the second quarter, Parrott again score on a Bright-to-Daniels’ pass covering nine yards. The kick by Braeden White was good, making the score 15-8 with 9:40 left in the half.

At the 3:35 mark of the second quarter, Rose scored again on a 1-yard run also running the 2-point conversion for a 16-15 Raider lead, which they carried into the half.

Parrott opened the scoring in the second half on a 27-yard field goal by White at the 9:40 mark of the third quarter. Then at the 4:08 mark, William Hill gathered in a a deflected pass and returned it 49 years for a Parrott score. The kick by White brought the score to 25-16.

Southampton again struck pay dirt with 10:39 left in the game as Roy Hill scored on a 9-yard run. Hill also converted the two points running it in, cutting Parrott’s lead one point at 25-24.

With no team able to score again, the game ended with the Patriots securing the one-point victory.

For the game, the Raiders out-gained the Patriots 223 to 187 yards. Sam Rose led the Raider rushing attack with 132 yards on 21 carries, scoring two touchdowns and one conversion. Roy Hill rushed 11 times for 38 yards to score one touchdown and two conversions. However, five turnovers doomed the Raiders’ chances of repeating as 8-man state champions.

Following an emotional post-game huddle and prayer, the team resolved to putting in a year of hard work with the goal of getting back into the playoffs and a chance at another title, while at the same time acknowledging what a tremendous season they have had.

DALE MARKS is the head football coach at Southampton Academy. Contact him at 653-2512.