Raiders come out on top in high-scoring affair
Published 5:38 pm Friday, October 4, 2024
Southampton Academy junior Ethan Webb eyes the end zone on a run against visiting rival Kenston Forest School on Friday, Sept. 20. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Southampton Academy junior Grant Applewhite stiff arms a Kenston Forest School defender Friday, Sept. 20, during the Raiders’ 50-36 victory in Courtland. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Southampton Academy senior lineman Enrique Arce, No. 80, helps move the line for the Raiders on Friday, Sept. 20, in Courtland. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Junior Jake Holland kicks off for Southampton Academy against Kenston Forest School on Friday, Sept. 20, at Pillow Field. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Junior Lorenzo Arce, of Southampton Academy, rounds the corner on the wide right to move the Raiders offense forward. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
Southampton Academy sophomore Grayson Holland prepares to unleash a pass. (Photo by Titus Mohler)
|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Southampton Academy’s varsity football team brought strong effort and explosive plays to its showdown with rival Kenston Forest School on Friday, Sept. 20, and ended up with a 50-36 victory in Courtland.
“The game Friday was a fun one for our guys — I thought we played hard and looked pretty explosive offensively,” Raiders Head Coach Cole Heiderich said. “We built a big lead pretty early in the game, so everyone on the team was able to get playing time in the second half. Always nice to win one at home.”
Southampton led 16-0 after the first quarter and 36-12 at halftime.
Several different Raiders stood out on the night, led by junior Ethan Webb, who scored on three rushing touchdowns and who also stood out on defense, catching two interceptions and breaking up two more passes.
SA junior Grant Applewhite recorded two rushing touchdowns, including one on a 64-yard run.
Raiders junior Ashton Whitehead also created a notable highlight when he hauled in a timely 50-yard reception on third down in the second quarter, putting SA in prime position to score again.
With the victory, Southampton improves to 3-1 on the year.
“As far as the season goes, we’ve been pleased with our progress thus far,” Heiderich said.
The Raiders opened the year with a 44-12 home win over Rappahannock County High School on Aug. 29. Then they traveled to The Covenant School on Sept. 6 and fell 50-12.
“(We) took one on the chin up in Charlottesville against The Covenant School but have bounced back nicely since then,” Heiderich said.
On Sept. 12, SA defeated rival Brunswick Academy 40-25 in Lawrenceville, directly preceding Friday’s game against Kenston Forest.
The Raiders had been set to face Richmond Christian School on Friday, Sept. 27, but Heiderich previously noted that RCS dissolved its program during the first week of August, creating the open date. He stated on Monday, Sept. 23, that SA was unable to find a replacement, so Sept. 27 will be a bye, a development that has proven fortunate for the Raiders at this point in the season.
“We have a much-needed bye week this week, as we’ve had several guys playing through minor injuries and sickness, so it’ll be nice to get everyone healthy again,” Heiderich said. “We’ve played some good football to this point but still keeping our head down and focusing on what’s in front of us.”
Southampton is halfway through its regular season schedule as it continues to compete in the small-school division of the VI8FL — the Virginia Independent Schools (Eight-Man) Football League.
The Raiders kick off the second half of their schedule Friday, Oct. 4, when they visit Chincoteague High School at 6 p.m.
