By DUANE SHERRILL | Special to The Times
EAGLEVILLE — Giving up turnovers and big plays cost the Moore County Raiders late as they let the second half get away from them in their 34-7 loss at Eagleville Friday evening.
The Raiders trailed 14-7 at the half after quarterback Isaac Petty dashed into the end zone from three yards out with just under two minutes left on the first half clock. The Eagles were able to score on two occasions in the first half. The first score for the hosts was a 22-yard run at the two-minute mark of the first quarter that culminated an 85-yard drive on their first possession of the game.
The Raiders had a chance to get on the board on their next possession after working the ball from their own 30 to the Eagle 10. However, the field goal was missed. The Eagles made the Raiders pay immediately on a 78-yard touchdown pass.
With the Petty touchdown putting the Raiders within striking distance, the Raiders saw some light at the end of the tunnel when they blocked a field goal early in the third quarter. However, a fumble gave the ball right back to the hosts who immediately struck, scoring a touchdown to go up 21-7.
The Raiders were again given a golden opportunity when the Eagles fumbled within the shadow of their own end zone at the beginning of the fourth quarter. However, faced with needing a touchdown, the Raiders tried to convert a fourth down situation but failed, giving the ball back to their hosts. The Eagles scored an 88-yard touchdown on the next play, missing the conversion to make it 27-7.
It didn’t take long for the Eagles to find the end zone again when the Raiders fumbled and the ball was taken to the house on a scoop and score by the Eagles to set the final score at 34-7.
The loss is the second region loss for the Raiders this season after they fell last week the Huntland. They next go on the road to face non-region foe Smith County. •
{Editor’s Note: This article is brought to thanks to an editorial partnership between The Lynchburg Times and The Tullahoma News. To read more of their articles, click here.}