LOCAL SPORTS | Huntland — It’s the last regular season game of the year for the Moore County High School varsity football team and one both the players and coaches have likely had circled all year. The Raiders will travel to Franklin County for the annual rivalry game against the Huntland Hornets this Friday.

It’s a rivalry that dates back all the way to the days when Shirley Majors and John Majors walked the streets of Lynchburg. (To read more about the Moore County, Huntland rivalry and the Majors connection to it, click here.)

Known regionally as the Battle of the Blue, last year the Raiders pulled out a 31-21 victory over Huntland thanks in part to quick strike offense in the first half and an outstanding defense down the stretch. (To read our coverage of last year’s game, click here.) The stakes for this year’s game will be a little higher on the Raider end, because a win over the Hornets would secure a playoff birth for the Raiders.

At the beginning of the 2021 season, Head Coach Kris White told his young squad that the first half and the second half of the season would be a different experience.

“We’re going to be a different team in the last five games of the year,” Coach White told his Raiders after a tough one-point loss at Eagleville on September 3.

His prediction rings true over the last two games, especially where the offense is concerned. Two of the three leading scorers this season are sophomores. Dawson White leads the Raiders with 68 total points followed by sophomore Logan Hegwood and senior QB Connor Partin contributing 18 each. Sophomore Alex Copeland snagged his first touchdown of the season against Cornersville last Friday and sophomore Keller Morey’s transitioned from quarterback into a money wide receiver for the Raiders. Freshman Peyton Martin has also put points on the board for Moore County. Sophomore Will Parker, junior Will Baker, and senior Will Harder are also proving to be offensive weapons. As their playmaking ability increases so will the Raider win column.

The Moore County defense continues to create opportunities for the Raider playmakers as well. Against Cornersville, they managed an interception, fumble recovery, and a blocked point after attempt. Dawson White leads with 98 total tackles and two interceptions. Freshman Peyton Martin follows with 80 tackles and senior Hayden Carter has 70 stops for Moore County. Two players, sophomore Wes Clifton and first-time player P.J. Barad have come on late in the season as dependable weapons for the Raiders.

Hornet offense struggling in 2021

Head Coach Bob Robertson’s Hornets seems to be struggling this year with the loss of star quarterback back Kolby Stewart who rushed for over 4,000 yards in his four seasons with Huntland. They sit at 5-2 overall with a COVID forfeit win over Whitwell and a 42-0 win over Lookout Valley. The Fayetteville Tiger beat the Hornets last Friday night and they are currently winless in region 5A play.

Friday’s game will take place in Huntland. A win would keep them in the playoff hunt. A loss would end their season. Kick off is at 7 p.m. The GPS address for Huntland High School is 400 Gore Street, Huntland, TN 37345. For those who can’t travel to the game, you can watch the Moore County Sports Network broadcast on the NFHS Network, listen live in the MCSN App, or watch the The Lynchburg Times Facebook page for live updates. •

{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.}