It’s football 101, the team who makes the fewest mistakes will win the game. This mantra is magnified when you’re the road underdog.
Moore County forced the Cornersville Bulldogs into several uncharacteristic mistakes (3 turnovers) but the Raiders miscues (3 turnovers of their own, untimely penalties and missed opportunities) along with Derrick Henry-esque running from Cornersville running back Ben Franklin allowed the Bulldogs to overcome a slow start in a 35-14 win.
Franklin ran for four scores breaking free twice for Touchdown runs of 73 and 42 yards along with a steady dose of between the tackles power that kept the dogs ahead of the chains most of the night.
Unable to match Cornersville on the ground, and trailing for much of the night, Moore County was forced to put the ball in the air as their primary offense. This had it’s high spots, two Connor Partin TD passes (one each to Keller Morey and Alex Copeland) and it’s low spots, a pair of interceptions that along with an untimely fumble early in the fourth with the Raiders on the move, let the number 10 team in the state in 1-A off the hook when it appeared throughout the night they were prime for an upset.
More importantly the missed opportunity puts the Raiders in a must win situation vs their rival Huntland next week.
Collinwood’s upset 12-3-win vs Eagleville ties the Trojans with Moore County for the 4th and final playoff spot in Region 5-1A at 2-3. Moore County goes to Huntland next week and Collinwood hosts Wayne County and both the Raiders and Trojans more than likely favored in those contests. Furthermore, the Raiders own the head-to-head tie breaker thanks to a 27-12 win over the Trojans in week 8. However, a Collinwood win and a Huntland upset (we’ve seen crazier in rival games) would leave Moore County on the outside looking in of the postseason.
Despite the pair of turnovers Moore County Quarterback Connor Partin’s two touchdowns earned him Riddle Agency Player of the Game honors.
Coverage of Moore County at Huntland begins next Friday at 6:00 with Tri Star Friday Night Live Countdown, The Lynchburg Nursing Center Raider Countdown is LIVE from Shirly Majors Stadium in Huntland at 6:50 with kickoff between the Raiders and Hornets to follow at 7:00 on WHMT 105.1 and 95.9!