By Tabitha Evans Moore, EDITOR & PUBLISHER

HUNTLAND — They pulled within a single point with two minutes left to play in the game, but couldn’t send the game into overtime. Instead, the Moore County Raiders lost the 2024 installment of the Battle of the Blue — losing 20-19 to Huntland in Franklin County. Despite the loss, they still control their own destiny — sitting tied for second place in Region 5A with Wayne County

Moore County came into the game with a 4-2 overall record, a 3-1 district record, and fresh off a 27-14 Raider Homecoming win over Collinwood. {To read our complete coverage of that game, click here.}

Huntland blanked non-district Lookout Valley, 41-0, the previous week to earn a 4-3 overall record. The Moore County win raised them to 2-2 in district play.

{Editor’s Note: This year’s Raider’s football coverage is free to all readers thanks to a sponsorship from Greg Guinn Construction, Jack Collectible’s, and Reese’s Athletics.}

Moore County trails by five at the half

Both teams got off to a sluggish start with a scoreless first quarter. The Raider offense seemed a bit flat. They won the toss and elected to receive — quickly going three and out. Huntland did a bit better on their first possession — completing a single first down before punting on fourth and five.

On the Hornets last possession of the first quarter, Raider Tripp Hammond got a big stop for a loss on first and 10 to keep Huntland out of th end zone.

On the first series of the second quarter, Moore County showed a little life. Raider QB Gavin Wise handed off to Isaac Petty for a quick yard then threw to Brantley Hill for the first down. Following a high snap, Wise passed to Petty again for another first down before going backwards on a false start call. Wise called his own number on third and 16 but it wasn’t quite enough and Moore County punted on fourth and two.

Huntland drew first blood with a wide open pass down the right side for six points at around the 3:52 mark in the second quarter to earn the early, 6-0 lead. The PAT sailed wide right.

Moore County attempted to answer quickly with a screen pass to Hill for a quick five yards followed by a handoff to Petty for a first down. Wise threw a pick six on the next down — allowing the Hornets to tackle a 12-0 lead with 2:37 to play in the half.

The gritty Moore County offense then went to work. Wise threw a completion to Tristyn Gray then called his own number for five yard to make it third and five. Hill picked up the other five for first down. Wise then called his own number for two consecutive first downs. On third and one at the goal line with three seconds remaining in the half, Petty lowered his head and barreled into the end zone for the Raider touchdown. Jax Ross’s PAT made it Huntland 12, Raiders 7 at the half.

Raiders score in the final two minutes but fall short

Huntland got the ball first in the second half but couldn’t do much with the opening drive. They punted on fourth and seven to give the Raiders back the ball.

Moore County set up shop first and 10 at their 39 yard line and had to overcome an offsides call before Huntland returned the favor on an encroachment call to gift them first and 10. On third down, Wise connected with Cole Taylor for another Raider touchdown and the lead.

With 6:11 to play in the third quarter, Moore County led, 13-12.

A Hornet possession ate up much of the rest of the third period clock. They turned the ball over on downs as time expired. Moore County couldn’t finish in th fourth what they started in the third though and punted on fourth a three.

On the next Hornet series, Tucker Smith and Logan Cashion both got crucial stops before the Hornet QB connected on third down for the touchdown. The Hornets regained the lead, 20-13 with 6:24 left to play.

Moore County quickly went to work. Peyton Martin returned the kickoff to the 39 yard line and Wise set up first and 10. A handoff went nowhere on first down then Wise tucked the ball and ran straight ahead for eight yards to make it third and one. Huntland then brought pressure — tackling Wise in the backfield for a loss. Undaunted, Wise completed a pass on fourth and five to earn a fresh set of downs.

Wise then called his own number again on two consecutive plays before handing off to Chris Merical for four yards. A successful pass to Taylor and another handoff to Merical got them to second and one. Following a dropped pass, Wise kept again to convert to first and goal. Petty surged forwarded for the potential game-tying score, but the PAT missed with 1:18 to play.

Moore County attempted an onsides kick but Huntland recovered the ball to seal the win.

{Editor’s Note: We’ll add game stats as soon as they are available.}

Moore County will look to finish the regular season strong with a home game against district foe Forest next Friday, and a final season game at Richland on November 1.•

{The Lynchburg Times is the hometown newspaper of Lynchburg, Tennessee the home of The Jack Daniel Distillery. We cover sports for both Moore County High School and Motlow State. Don’t read about the game a week later, get next day coverage at our website and give us a follow on Facebook.}