By Tabitha Evans Moore, EDITOR AND PUBLISHER

LYNCHBURG — With barbecue smoke rolling just a mile down the road from the annual Jack Daniel’s Barbecue and amongst the distractions of Raider Homecoming Week, the Moore County Raiders earned a 27-14 home win over the Collinwood Trojans on Friday night. It was a slow, sloppy game with multiple turnovers and close to 25 penalties – many in the second half of the game.

Moore County came into the game well-rested off a bye week and boasting a 4-2 overall record and a 2-1 district record. Collinwood sits firmly last in Region 5A with a 2-5 overall record and zero district wins.

Hill, Taylor combine for 12 first half points

The Raiders got the ball first but couldn’t do anything with their first series. They went three and out an punted at the 10:15 mark.

The Raider defense came to play on Friday night. Tucker Smith limited the first Trojan play from scrimmage to just one yard, then Landon Smith allowed just two more to make it third and seven. Showing pressure, the Raider D forced a fumble on the next play, which Landon Smith recovered giving Moore County the ball back at the 29.

An opportunistic Raider offense took advantage. Raider QB Gavin Wise threw a laser strike to his receiver, Isaac Petty on the first Moore County play from scrimmage but a holding call made it first and 20. Luckily, a Trojan safety clobbered Petty on the next play – drawing a pass interference call and making it first and five. Wise’s first pass fell incomplete, then he called his own number for two yards. On third and three, he completed to Petty for a first down. Wise then tossed a quick screen pass to Tucker Smith for five yards and Cole Taylor took a handoff the rest of the way for a first down. On first and 10, Wise threw to a wide open Brantley Hill for the Raiders first touchdown of the night.

With 6:40 to play in the first, Moore County led the Trojans 6-0.

The Moore County defense stood firm on the next Trojan series. On first and 10, the Trojan running back broke free for a long gain before Tucker Smith made his first of what would be three touchdown-saving tackles in the game. Collinwood set up first and 10 and managed five yard on the first down before Peyton Martin got the stop. The Trojan’s picked up one yard, then Logan Cashion shut down the run to make it third and four. Collinwood decided to go for it on fourth and three but the Raider defensive line said, “no sirs” and the Trojans turned over the ball on downs.

On the Raiders next first down, Collinwood plucked a Wise pass out of the air for a pick six. The PAT gave the Trojans a 7-6 lead with 3:24 to play in the first.

Moore County quickly answered. Peyton Martin returned the kickoff to the 46 and Wise set up first and 10. He handed off to Petty on first down, who got loose for extra yards and a first down. Martin then broke loose for another long run but the gain got called back on a holding call. The Raiders got a false start flag on the next down but Collinwood declined it. On second an 15, wise threw long to Taylor who turned around just in time for the touchdown. The two point conversion failed.

With 1:49 to play in the first quarter, Moore County earned back the lead. They edged the Trojans 12-7. The quarter ended with Collinwood driving around mid-field.

Neither team scored in the second quarter. Moore County forced a fumble at the goal line around the six minute mark and then Tristyn Gray made a huge stop on fourth and seven to earn the ball back. Moore County went three and out then Gray snagged and intersection to give Moore County back the ball. Moore County attempted to go for on fourth and seven to earn one last score before halftime but the Trojans intercepted the ball.

The Raiders went into the halftime locker room leading Collinwood 12-7.

Cashion, Martin seal the win in the second half

Collinwood got the ball first in the second half, and the Trojan broke tackles to earn a touchdown on the second play from scrimmage. With just 15 seconds off the clock, the Trojans earned back the lead 13-12.

Moore County then pieced together a slow and methodical drive that ticked four minutes off the clock. Taylor came in as QB for two plays – calling his own number on first down and handing off to Martin to make it third and four. Wise came back in at QB and handed off to Petty for the first down. Collinwood then got a facemask and a roughing the passer call to hand Moore County 30 free yards. Then on second and 10, Petty ran straight ahead to set up first and 10 near the goal line.

On third and nine, Wise hit a wheel route pass to Cashion, who made a back shoulder catch for six points. Wise made the two-point conversion to earn back the lead. With 7:19 to play in the third quarter, Moore County led Collinwood, 20-14.

The Trojans went three and out on the next series to hand Moore County back the ball with 5:06 to play in the third. The quarter ended with Moore County driving.

The fourth quarter felt sloppy and slow with eight penalties. The two teams traded series then with 1:43 to play, Wise connected with Cashion on a long gain to set up first and 10. Petty barreled ahead to make it second and two before Martin took the handoff all the way in for the final score of the night. Ross’s PAT gave Moore County a 27-14 lead with 1:02 to play.

Landon Smith led on defense

The Raiders spread the scoring around with Brantley Hill, Cole Taylor, Logan Cashion, and Peyton Martin each scoring a touchdown. Gavin Wise scored a two-point conversion and Jax Ross put up a PAT for the Raiders.

On offense, Isaac Petty led with 145 total yards including 86 rushing yards and 59 receiving yards. He was the top rusher and top receiver. Cole Taylor followed with 67 yards including 22 rushing yards and 38 receiving yards.

On defense, Landon Smith led with nine tackles followed by Tucker Smith with seven. Both Logan Cashion and Tristyn Gray added six each. Gray also snagged an interception. Buddy Qualls managed three tackles a sack, and caused a fumble.

To see complete stats for the Collinwood game, check out the box score on Max Preps.

Moore County (5-2, 3-1) will now move on to the annual Battle of the Blue rivalry game against Huntland (4-3, 1-2) next Friday in Franklin County. •

{The Lynchburg Times is the hometown newspaper of Lynchburg, Tennessee the home of The Jack Daniel Distillery. We cover sports for both Moore County High School and Motlow State. Don’t read about the game a week later, get next day coverage at our website and give us a follow on Facebook.}