SPORTS | Will the Moore County Raiders bounce back after a tough, first-of-the-season loss in Lincoln County last week? That’s the question Raiders fan are asking as MCHS heads into week six. After coming out sluggish in the first half last week, the Raiders came out swinging after halftime and managed to tie the game late in the fourth quarter. To read our complete coverage of that game, click here.
The Raiders (4-1, 1-1) will to travel for a non-region game against Eagleville (2-3, 1-1) on Friday. The Raiders lost last Friday 28-22 against Fayetteville City. Eagleville beat Community at home last Friday 40-8.
The Raiders failed to establish a running game against the Tigers. Moore County managed just 138 yards on the ground last week with the majority coming from scrambles by QB Kyler Parker. In the air, the boys in Columbia blue snagged 20 receptions for 176 yards.
“I was proud of the way the kids came back and fought in the second half,” Head Coach Kris White told Benji Garland during this week’s episode of Coach’s Corner on The Moore County Sports Network. “I don’t think they showed up at all to play in the first half.”
Against Fayetteville City, Raider QB Parker complete 20 of 35 passes and also lead in rushing yards with 76 yards on 15 carries. Tyler Smith followed with 31 rushing yards on seven carries. In the passing game, Dylan Scruggs led with three catches for 65 yards including a 55 yard game-tying touchdown pass reception. Kaden White followed with six catches for 48 yards.
The Raider D worked hard last week to give their offense a chance. K. White and Donavin Pearson led with 15 tackles each. Hayden Carter followed with 13 tackles and Tyler Smith added 11 more.
Fix us first, says Coach White
Coach White says he’s less concerned about Eagleville and more concerned with Moore County fixing what wasn’t working against Fayetteville City.
“We have to fix the things that are on us as coaches,” Coach White said during Coach’s Corner. “We’ve got to review the film and see what hurt us … what schemes that put us in bad positions … we’ve got to fix us first. We’ve played five games. We have five games left. Our goals haven’t changed. We can still accomplish the goals we set out to accomplish.”
Eagleville started slow with three consecutive losses (against Huntland, Cornersville and Forrest) but have gained steamed as of late. They currently rank third in Class AA Region 5 action behind Forrest and Lewis County.
Raiders fans will want to keep an eye on the quick release and scrambling feet of Eagle QB Marcus Collins who threw for five touchdowns in the 40-8 win over Community. He also ball hawked an interception on defense. Eagles sophomore wide receiver Kaden Snitzer also managed a Murfreesboro Area High School Athlete of Week nomination last week for his six catches for 110 yards and three touchdowns against Community. On defense, Raider QB Parker will need to keep his head on a swivel against the Eagle D-line led by Wyatt McLemore.
The game will kick off in Eagleville at 7 p.m. For those who plan to travel, the GPS address is 500 Highway 99, Eagleville, TN 37060. If you can’t travel to the game, it will be broadcast live on Raider Country 105.1 and 95.5 FM with Joe Abraham and the Moore County Sports Network, on the NFHS Network, or The Lynchburg Times will post live score updates on our Facebook page. •
{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.}