By DUANE SHERRILL | Special to The News

CORNERSVILLE — Moore County did its part by earning a region win over Cornersville Friday night 24-14 but they did not get the help they needed to stay in the playoff hunt meaning this Thursday night will conclude their season as they celebrate senior night while hosting Richland.

While the playoffs are off the table this season for the 2-7 Raiders, revenge could be served up this Thursday as the Raiders get a chance to not only to play spoiler and shake up the playoff rankings but they also get a chance to exact retribution to the team that kept them out of the playoffs last year when the Richland Raiders defeated Moore County 48-27 in what was a must-win for the boys from Lynchburg. Richland would then make it to the third round of the playoffs before being crushed 55-7 by McKenzie. However, this year’s Richland team sports a 7-2 record coming in with only a 16-14 loss to Wayne County and a 21-7 region loss to Huntland. Should Moore County be able to pull off the upset, they will cost Richland any chance at top seed in the region.

While they prepare for the Thursday night finale, the Raiders were happy to get the seven-loss monkey off their back with their region win over Cornersville.

{Editor’s Note: This article is brought to thanks to an editorial partnership between The Lynchburg Times and The Moore County News. To read more of their articles, click here.}

Taylor scores three touchdowns

The Raiders maintained a 10-7 lead at the half in their road contest with Cole Taylor scoring the first half TD. The lead was pushed out to 17-7 at the five-minute mark of the third while Isaac Petty hit Taylor in the endzone for 10-yard touchdown, culminating a 65-yard drive.

However, their hosts struck back just before the end of the third, punching the ball in from two yards out to make it 17-14. As Cornersville drove down the field hoping for a tie or even the lead, the Raiders intercepted the ball and turned away the scoring threat. Moore County was then able to mount a long drive that culminated with another Petty to Taylor connection from 10 yards out to make it 24-14 with three minutes left in the game.

A Jax Ross field goal added three more points to the final score.

Petty saw one of his best career games on the ground as he carried the ball 21 times for 133 yards. He also had one of his best nights in the air going 9-12 for 95 yards and two TDs. Taylor also had a great night, rushing 14 times for 113 yards and catching six balls for 79 yards.

“As far as what it means to them, it just shows them the work they put in has really meant something,” said Head Coach Kris White about the win at Cornersville. “We have spoken on it all year that we are so close, but the ball just has not bounced our way, and just for it to all come together last night, it just shows them, hey, the work we have been putting in is worth it.”

The coach said he is proud of the team who, despite a 2-7 record, have been slugging it out all season.

“They stayed the course which they have all year, but I mean they just have hung in there and fought and when there was a time to make a play someone finally stood up and made it,” he said. “Whether it was third down or fourth down we just finally made plays when we needed to make plays, versus in the other games we haven’t been able to.”

The coach expects his squad to come out and leave it all on the field while they take on their regional foe this Thursday night.

“Just their resilience to show up and work every day,” he said. “I mean this has been the best group of kids in the six years I have been here, as far as their work ethic, and their attitudes. I mean the seniors never checked out. They have been there, they have worked hard every day and have been role models to the younger kids.”

Kick off of the Moore County versus Richland game will take place at 7 p.m. Local officials moved up the game night from Friday to Thursday to accommodate Halloween. Thursday will be Senior Night here in Lynchburg. •

{The Lynchburg Times is a nonpartisan, independent community newspaper serving Lynchburg, Tennessee and the surrounding counties. We not only cover local events but also volunteer our time and resources to make sure they are a success. You can support us, by clicking here.}