After four straight wins, including two on the road, the Midway Raiders returned home to face their old nemesis from Duplin County. In a hard-fought game, Wallace-Rose Hill came from behind to win 13-10.
The Raiders began the game with a quick score, something Raider fans have seen previously this season. On the first play from scrimmage Aaron Thurman broke loose for 76 yards and a quick Raider lead. Jansen Wrench kicked the extra point and only 21 seconds into the game, Midway led 7-0.
The Bulldogs began their first possession on their 24-yard line. Before they could threaten, Midway’s Luke Clark picked off a pass on the Raider 40. The home team had the ball at their own 48, but a few plays later a fumble would give it right back to the ‘Dogs.
The Wallace-Rose Hill possession didn’t last long either. The Bulldogs fumbled on their 42 and Raider Jarrett Jackson recovered. The Raiders then picked up 18 yards when quarterback Taylor Calcutt connected with Tyler Pope. However the drive stalled and on 4th and 7, the Bulldogs broke through to sack Calcutt operating from the 18-yard line.
The first quarter ended with the visitors on the Midway 27. The Raider defense rose to the occasion and Midway took over on downs at the 10:39 mark. After a first down completion to Jeremy Robinson was called back, the penalized Raiders were forced to punt from their own 40.
The Bulldogs took over on their 31 and quickly drove into Midway turf. With 5:22 left until intermission, Marcus Scarborough ran 4 yards for Bulldog pay dirt. The PAT tied it at 7.
Moments later, the home team was knocking on the door with a first down at the 25-yard line of the visitors. On 4th and goal from the 9, Wrench nailed a 26-yard field goal to put the Raiders back on top. With 1 minute remaining in the half, it was 10-7 Raiders.
Wallace-Rose Hill received to start the second half. That possession ended with an interception by Raider Jeremy Robinson. However, it was the Bulldogs’ Quayle Robinson who hauled in the biggest interception of the night. With 6:00 left in the third period, he picked off a Calcutt pass and returned it 20 yards for what would turn out to be the winning touchdown. The PAT was blocked by Michael Mendoza. The 13-10 score would hold up for the remainder of the game.
The Raiders’ final possession began with 6:39 left in the game. Beginning at their own 30, Midway drove to the Bulldog 21 before an errant pass was picked off to end the Raider threat.
The Raiders fall to 4-2 overall. They are 1-1 in Tri-County Conference play. The Bulldogs are 3-3 and 1-1.
Offensively for Midway, Cody Baker carried the ball 13 times for 55 yards. Thurman picked up 43 yards on 14 rushes. Scarborough ran 15 times for 11 yards to lead the Bulldogs.
Thurman caught 2 passes for 85 yards, while Pope had 2 receptions for 40. Calcutt connected with Troy Spell 3 times for 36 yards.
Calcutt was 9 for 15 in passing for 173 yards. He threw 2 picks.
Jordan Thompson led the defense with 9 tackles. Kyle Hawley added 8, and Luke Clark had 7.
“We played pretty good, but we came up a little short,” remarked Midway head coach Tommy Sloan. “They rammed it down our throat when they had to. Our kids played really hard and I think they realize they can play with anybody in our conference.”
Midway will travel to Lakewood next week.
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