By Tabitha Evans Moore
Editor & Publisher

LYNCHBURG, Tenn. — A 27-7 first game win behind a freshman QB who went 10-for-14 and a senior running back who mounted over 100 yards rushing is not a bad way to start the season. On Friday, the Moore County Raiders notched their first “W” of the season behind the arm of Austin Scherff and the legs of Tucker Smith.

In total, the Raiders mounted 346 yards of offense in a game decided early. They move on to play at Cascade this Friday in Wartrace.

SMITH SCORES FIRST TD OF THE SEASON

The Raiders started their first possession of the first game of the 2026 season with momentum. Both Tucker Smith and Ike Holt made big yardage plays on the first couple of downs to put the Raiders within striking distance. Unfortunately, a set of penalties, and a failed fourth-down attempt left them empty-handed and they turned the ball over on downs to Community.

Community couldn’t get much going on their first offensive possession. They managed small chunk yardage and tried to ride that wave on a fourth-down conversion. It failed — handing the Raiders the ball back with a little over four minutes to play in the first quarter.

Back on offense, the Vikings yanked Raider Holt’s face mask, setting the Raiders up with a first down around the 20-yard line. Moments later, Smith ran into the end zone to give Moore County six. The two-point conversion failed.

Community then went another three and out, setting Moore County up for a second first-quarter score. The Raiders fumbled on the punt return — handing the Vikings back the ball at around the Community 30. The Vikings managed their first first down of the game as the first quarter ended.

HARDISON, LILES ADD SECOND QUARTER SCORES

Community couldn’t finish what they started on their first possession of the second quarter and turned the ball over. The Raiders then used Smith on a long run down to the 27-yard line. Memphis Foster then caught a cross-field pass to give the Raiders a first down inside the red zone. Scherff handed off to Smith to make it first and goal. On the next down, Drew Hardison carried the ball from the two-yard line into the end zone for the second Raider score of the night. The PAT failed, making it 12-0 with 6:43 to play in the second.

Community needed a sustained drive on their next possession to get things going. They managed no gain on their first play and a fumble on their second. They recovered the ball after a nine-yard loss and were forced to punt two plays later.

Moore County took over the ball with 4:30 to play in the half. Aidan Moore and Smith pieced together big yards, but a late hit out of bounds brought most of it back. On the next down, Scherff muscled forward for five, then Westin Byrom managed to get the Raiders into third and short. The Raiders fumbled on their next play, but a heads up play by Byrom maintained possession with 1:15 to play. Smith attempted to drive up the middle on the next play, but Community got the stop and the Raiders turned over the ball.

On the next Viking possession, Deacon Liles recovered a Community fumble in the end zone for six and Scherff played QB keeper for the two-point conversion to make it 20-0 with a minute to play in the first half.

The Vikings got 56 seconds to make something happen before the break. They got a first down, but Hunter Travis and Smith got a crucial stop to keep them out of the red zone. Caseon Casteel sealed it with an end zone interception for a touchback with two seconds to play.

The Raiders went into the halftime locker room leading 20-0.

COMMUNITY SCORES LONE TD IN THE THIRD

Community got the ball first in the second half and the Raiders handed them great field position with an unsportsmanlike call on the kickoff. Community QB Kaeden Hensel then called his own number and connected with Karrson Wimley for a couple of first downs. At the 7:14 mark, Hensel muscled his way into the end zone for the Vikings’ first TD of the night. The PAT sailed through the uprights.

With 6:40 to play in the third, the Vikings narrowed the gap to 20-7. It was as close as they’d ever get.

On their first possession of the third, the Raiders got a false start call and lost five. Caseon Casteel then managed five quick yards before Memphis Foster finished what he started and earned the first down. Smith added another first down, before Paxson Embrey made a clutch catch in Viking territory for another first down. Scherrf then called the keeper to get the Raiders to the 10. Smith made it third and inches, but a play later, the Vikings stripped the ball for a turnover and Moore County walked away from the end zone empty-handed.

Community took over first and 10 deep in Raider territory. They got no yards on the first play thanks to a big boy hit by Holt. Then on third down, Mason Sandefur tackled the Viking QB in the backfield to make it fourth and 14.

Moore County got the ball back with 30 seconds to play in the third, but couldn’t make it into the end zone before time expired.

RAIDERS PLAY LIGHTS -OUT DEFENSE IN THE FOURTH

Scherff threw a laser strike to Kason Ferrara on the first series of the fourth quarter to add to the Raiders’ lead. With 11:08 to play, Jaxson Ross made his first PAT of the night to make it 27-7.

Community ran all the way to the 30 on the kickoff, but earned a false start that backed them up five. Out of a timeout, Hensel made a long completion to the 33 for a first down. He then made a small gain on the QB keeper before running into Moore. On fourth-down, the Raiders swarmed the Community QB out of the pocket, forcing a wobbly pass. Casteel then snagged his second interception of the night at the 15-yard line to give the Raiders back the ball with eight minutes to play.

Moore County punted on fourth-down on their next series and their defense stiffened to avoid a late-in-the-game score.

Community managed a first down then the QB keeper got shut down by Kolby Williams. Community called the same play on the next down for a short three-yard gain before Jose Garcia recovered a Viking fumble to essentially end the game.

Austin Scherff threw an impressive 10-for-14 for 121 yards. He also called his own number for 16 additional yards.

Tucker Smith led in rushing yards with 160 yards. Ike Holt led in receiving yards with 44, followed by Memphis Foster with 32 and Paxson Embry with 30.

On the defensive side, sophomore Hunter Travis notched nine total tackles, including three solo tackles, followed by Drew Hardison with seven and Caseon Casteel with five. Mason Sandefur and Kolby Williams combined for the Raiders’ lone sack. Jose Garcia also forced a Community fumble.

Smith, Ferrara, Hardison, and Liles all made their way into the end zone for six and Scherff ran in for a two-point conversion. Jaxson Ross completed one of two point-after attempts.

The win advances Moore County to 1-0 in regular-season play. They’ll play their first Region 5 game on September 18 at home against Huntland. •

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