It was homecoming night at Midway on Friday as the Raiders welcomed conference-leading East Duplin for some East Central 2A Conference football action. A big crowd filled both bleachers for the contest, but unfortunately for Midway, there wasn’t a whole lot to cheer about as the Panthers walloped the Raiders, 53-0.

It certainly didn’t take long for East Duplin to display their dominance as the Panthers scored just 15 seconds and two plays into the game. With 11:45 showing, Jaylen Thomas was off to the races as he scored the games first score on a 55-yard touchdown run. After the PAT, East Duplin led 7-0.

The story of the game for Midway’s struggling offense was “three-and-out” as the Raiders only amassed 43 yards in a struggle to move the ball and collect first downs.

For their next drive of the game, the Panthers were set up well into Raiders territory after Midway’s drive went backwards followed by a poor punt.

With 8:39 remaining in the opening frame, East Duplin capped off a short, four play drive with a 1-yard run by Jaylen Mitchell. After the PAT, it was 14-0 East Duplin.

Before the end of the quarter, the Panthers would tack on another score when Devon Hunter took an 11-yard pass into the end zone for the score. A surprise two point conversion made the score 22-0.

Another failed Midway drive gave possession back to East Duplin just moments into the second quarter where once again the Panthers added another score. At 8:41, Laquan Brown put the cap on an East Duplin 55-yard drive on a short 3-yard run for the score. This time, the PAT was good and it was 29-0 East Duplin.

The Panthers went on to add two more scores in the half, one at 5:34 on a Cameron Hall 37-yard run and again with just 15 seconds left on a Melvin Scott 7-yard run, to make it 43-0 at the half to bring about the continuous clock mercy rule.

During the halftime festivities, Midway revealed its 2017 Homecoming Queen, Ashante Warren, as she took her victory lap around the stadium after being crowned by 2016 Homecoming Queen, Leah Williams.

With the clock set on cruise control for the second half, the Panthers only mustered up 10 more points on a 24-yard field goal by Hunter Edwards with 3:40 remaining in the third and a four yard touchdown run by Dimonte Edwards with 7:30 left in the game to make it 53-0.

With the loss, Midway, who is now on a three-game skid, dropping to 3-6 overall and 1-3 in the conference. They are back in action Friday as they travel to take on James Kenan.

Jamerius Rich carries the ball for the Raiders in their loss to East Duplin.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/web1_MHSfball1.jpgJamerius Rich carries the ball for the Raiders in their loss to East Duplin.
With homecoming loss, Midway on three-game skid

By Daron Barefoot

Sports Writer

Reach Daron Barefoot at [email protected]. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter @SampsonInd.