The Moore County Raiders came into Friday night’s final regular season game against the Mount Pleasant Tigers with a few simple goals: get a little revenge and avoid injuries. They accomplished both with a 38-13 win to set the stage for a Class 1A playoff game in Lynchburg this Friday against Wayne County.
After the game, Raider Assistant Coach TJ Christian told the Moore County Sports Network that the coaching staff wasn’t focused necessarily on the Tigers but rather on getting better, avoiding injuries, and getting younger players some valuable reps.
“The great thing about this team, whether it’s on offense or defense, is the effort they bring. You can’t coach effort,” said Coach Christian. “They show up every day ready to play … It’s been a pleasure to coach them.”
Raider defense sets the first half tone
Moore County won the coin toss and elected to receive. They put together a long, sustained drive that got them to the goal line. Then on fourth and two, the Raiders went for it but Mount Pleasant sniffed out the play, tackled running back Tyler Smith in the backfield and Moore County turned the ball over on downs.
Mount Pleasant went three and out on its first offensive drive. After the punt, Raider QB Kyler Parker tucked the ball and ran near the pylon before getting shoe string tackled. On first and goal, Parker muscled his way into the end zone for the Raiders’ first six points. The PAT was no good and the Raiders led Mount Pleasant 6-0.
On their next possession, the Tigers put together a long, sustained 10 minute drive designed to eat up clock and keep the ball out of the Raider offense’s hands. On fourth and goal, Tiger QB Strayhand ran the option untouched into the end zone. The PAT was good and the Tigers led 7-6 with a little over six minutes to play in the first half.
It was as close as Mount Pleasant would ever get.
On the next Raider drive, Brayden Cashion, Parker, and Kaden White pieced together positive plays to get Smith in scoring position at the 24 yard line. On first and ten, Parker handed off to Smith who broke tackles down the right side and then toward the middle for six Raider points. The Raiders faked the extra point and Keller Morey found the end zone for the two point conversion giving the Raiders back the 14-7 lead.
And the Raiders weren’t finished scoring first half points.
After a Tiger three and out with 2:36 to play before halftime, Dawson White — with his teammates blocking his path — returned the punt all the way into the end zone. Chase Bradford’s PAT gave Moore County a 21-7 lead.
After another Tiger three and out, Moore County looked determined to put more points on the board before the half. Parker connected with Dawson White on first and ten for a Raider touchdown but a holding flag took the points of the scoreboard. With less than a minute to play, Kaden White and Morey got Bradford in range for the field goal. His three points gave Moore County a 24-7 halftime lead.
Second and third strings brings home the win
After the break, the Raiders and Tigers traded turnovers. Then midway through the third period, positive plays by Cashion and Dawson White set up Parker for the QB keeper into the end zone. Bradford’s PAT gave the Raiders a 31-7 third quarter lead.
As Raider fans held up four fingers, Coach Kris White began to substitute heavily looking to both avoid injuries and get his second and third string some valuable game time reps heading into the playoffs.
Cashion replaced Parker at QB and then marched Moore County down the field. On first and 10, he handed off to Donavin Pearson. The ball popped out and up only to be caught by Ayden Blair and recovered. That gave the Raiders third and short in the red zone. Cashion then got Moore County to the goal line and broke tackles on the next play to score with 9:17 remaining in the game. Bradford’s PAT made it 38-7.
With 4:12 left in the game, Mount Pleasant managed a long right side run into the red zone. Then on first and goal, their big full back Jeremiah Dobbins muscled in for the final touchdown of the game. Mount Pleasant attempted a two point conversion but it failed. The final score was Raiders 38 and Mount Pleasant 13. The win gives the Raiders a 9-1 regular season record and the Tigers ended 1-8.
Stats against Mount Pleasant
Against Mount Pleasant, the Raiders passed for 173 yards and added another 214 on the ground.
QB Kyler Parker led in rushing yards with 95 followed by Brayden Cashion with 41. Kaden White led in receiving yards with 62.
Parker also led in scoring with two touchdowns. Dawson White, Brayden Cashion, and Tyler Smith all added a touchdowns. Chase Bradford added a field goal and Keller Morey added a two point conversion.
On defense, Dawson White led with 12 tackles and Kaden White followed with nine. Hayden Carter and Cullman Graham both recovered fumbles and Donavin Pearson and Tanner Parkers forced fumbles. For complete stats, visit the Raider page on Max Preps by clicking here.
The Raiders now move on the playoffs. They will host Wayne County in Lynchburg next Friday night. Tickets go on sale on Monday on the GoFan website for parents of players, cheerleaders, and band. On Tuesday at noon, they will go on sale for the public at TSSAAsport.com. •
{The Lynchburg Times is the only independently owned and operated newspaper in Lynchburg, Tennessee. We cover Metro Moore County government, Jack Daniel’s Distillery, Nearest Green Distillery, Tims Ford State Park, Motlow State Community College, Moore County High School, Moore County Middle School, Lynchburg Elementary, Raider Sports, plus regional and state news.}