COURTLAND
The 2017 Homecoming game between the Southampton Academy Raiders and the Eagles of Rocky Mount Academy didn’t look good for the home team in the opening minutes of the first quarter. Playing on Friday at Pilliar Field, Eagles’ Quarterback Isaiah Thomas released a 47-yard touchdown pass to Trey Smelcer on the Eagles’ first possession of the night. Thomas added the 2-point conversion to put the visitors ahead 8-0.

After a failed drive by the Raiders, QB Thomas hit Smelcer again for a 39-yard touchdown pass. Oliver Bissett scored on a run for the 2 point conversion to put the Eagles up 16-0 with 6:25 remaining in the first quarter.

On the next Raider possession the Raiders fumbled the ball and the Eagles recovered. Going back on offense this time Jacob Braddy broke free for a 61-yard touchdown run. QB Thomas added the two points on a run to increase the score to 24-0.

The Raiders going back on offense gambled on a 4th down and QB Sam Rose connected on a 50-yard pass to Winston Browne. After moving the chains, the Raiders pulled off a flea flicker play with Caleb Kidd throwing a pass to Rose for a 24-yard touchdown. The 2-point conversion was no good but the Raiders were on the scoreboard with a score of 6-24.

With time running out in the first quarter, the Eagles Braddy broke free again for a 53-yard touchdown. Bissett again added the 2-point conversion to advance the score to 32-6.

Braddy added another touchdown run in the second quarter on a 54-yard touchdown run on 4th down for the Eagles. The 2-point conversion failed but the Eagles increased their led to 38-6.

After a pass interference call on the Eagles, the Raiders were able to advance the ball into the red zone where Raider QB Rose connected to Kidd for a touchdown pass. Kidd also added the 2-point conversion. So, with 6:02 remaining in the first half, the Eagles led 38-14.

On the Raiders kick-off, Braddy added injury to insult as he this time raced 80 yards for another touchdown. Adding the 2-point conversion for the Eagles was Braddy to add more points on the scoreboard to 46-14.

The Eagles last score of the half came on a touchdown run by QB Thomas and the 2-point conversion by Braddy to end the half 54-14.

Early in the 3rd quarter after a Raider fumble, Bissett scored for the Eagles but the 2-point conversion failed. With the score now at 60-14, it was now a running clock for the remainder of the game.

The last points of the game came on a Eagles touchdown run in the 3rd quarter for the final score of 66-14.

Raiders’ coach Dale Marks remarked after the game, “It was pretty ugly as we got beat in all facets of the game, offense, defense and special teams. We had a hard time running the ball, a hard time tackling and a hard time blocking. We just had a hard time. I told the kids that you are going to run into these situations and this is something that we haven’t had a lot these in recent years.

“So these kids have not experienced a whipping like we took tonight. It was an old-fashioned one here tonight and there is no question on it. We are going to go back to work get ready for the team next week.”