LYNCHBURG — Slow and steady wins the race. That’s the take away from the Moore County Raiders 41-0 homecoming victory over the Jo Byrns Red Devils Friday night in Moore County.
Following the win, Coach Kris Whit told the Moore County Sports Network that he felt proud of the Raiders performance especially running back Tyler Smith who had a stand out night with 132 rushing yards and two touchdown.
Twenty-seven first half Raider points
It was a slow, methodical first half. Moore County scored on their very first series when Kyler Parker called his own number on the very first Raider play from scrimmage. Chase Bradford’s PAT gave the Raiders an early 7-0 lead.
After trading a pair of punts, Moore County got on the boards again on a long, sustained series. Positive yardage by Dylan Scruggs, Brayden Cashion, and Tyler Smith set up Kaden White for a tackle evading scamper into the Raider end zone. Bradford’s PAT made the score 14-0 with 2:03 left to play in the first quarter.
The Red Devils were driving as time expired. On fourth and eight, Red Devil Coach Tom Adkins decided it was two down territory and went for it. The gamble paid of and Jo Byrns earned the first down to start the second quarter. After The Red Devils managed a couple of first downs, Dawson White forced a fumble at the goal line. The Raiders got the ball back with 8:21 to play in the first half.
On the next offensive series, Brayden Cashion went 19 yards to set up a Kyler Parker to Dylan Scruggs pass on fourth and 10 to give the Raiders six more. The point after attempt failed. At the 5:54 mark, the Raiders led the Red Devils 20-0.
After managing a couple of first downs in their next series, the Red Devils were called for an illegal man down field, which made it third and 14. They failed to convert and turned the ball over on downs.
Will Harder and Tyler Smith then pieced together yardage to get the Raider within striking distance. With 40 seconds left to play in the first half, Kyler Parker rushed to the goal line and then punched it in on the next play. Chase Bradford’s PAT sailed through the uprights to give the Raiders a 27-0 first quarter lead.
It was all downhill for the Red Devils after the break. Their on sides kick attempt fell flat when Raider Joshua Parks rushed to meet the ball and recovered it near midfield. After several first downs, the Raiders failed to convert on fourth and 21 and handed the ball back to the Red Devils with 8:48 to play in the third. On the third play of that series Dylan Scrugg stripped the ball from the rushing (and nearing the goal line) Red Devils and Dawson White recovered.
After trading a pair of turnovers, the Raiders were driving at the third quarter ended. On a first and 20, Tyler Smith bobbed, weaved, and dragged tacklers with him. He refused to go down until he got near the goal line. On the next play QB Parker handed off to Smith for six more Raider points. Chase Bradford’s PAT was good and the Raiders increased their lead to 34.
On the very next Red Devils series, Joshua Parks ball hawked a Jo Byrns pass and pick sixed into the end zone. Chase Bradford’s PAT gave the Raiders their final points of the night.
The 41-0 victory improved the Raiders to 6-1 (1-1 in Region 5A play) and the Red Devils fell to 3-5.
Stats against Jo Byrn
Raider QB Parker went 7/15 for the night, threw for a single touchdown, and ran for one more.
Tyler Smith lead the Raiders in scoring with two touchdowns for 12 points. Joshua Parks, Kyler Parker, and Kaden White all added a touch down. Chase Bradford made five of six extra points.
Smith also lead in total yardage with 132 rushing yards. Brayden Cashion followed with 92 rushing yards and 29 receiving yards. QB Parker rushed for 80 yards. Dylan Scruggs added 38 receiving yards and Joshua Parks managed 16.
On defense, Donavin Pearson continued to dominate with 15 tackles (including 10 solo tackles) and a fumble recovery. Kaden White managed 10 tackles and fumble recovery. Hayden Carter followed with 10 tackles and Dawson White also added nine.
Senior Zac Carawan got a Red Devil sack. Joshua Parks snagged an interception.
The Raiders (6-1, 1-1) head to Franklin County this Friday for the annual rivalry game against Huntland (4-3, 1-1). (To read more about the history of that rivalry, click here.) Kick off is at 7 p.m. If you plan to attend the GPS address is 400 Gore Street, Huntland TN 37345. If you can’t attend 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.}