The Midway Raiders football team traveled Friday night, visiting James Kenan for more conference action. It was Homecoming for the Tigers as Midway, seeking their first win in four games, was looking to play spoiler.
James Kenan would have none of it as they ran all over the Raiders en route to a 47-0 victory, holding Midway scoreless for the fourth straight game.
The Raiders didn’t get off to the best of starts. Quarterback Carson Calcutt was hit third down, disrupting a pass attempt that was ruled a fumbled. The Tigers recovered on the Midway 16-hard line and with 9:22 on the clock, was in the end zone. After the PAT, James Kenan led 7-0.
The ensuing Midway drive didn’t fare any better. After going three out, Raiders punter Ty McLean stood in the shadow of his own goalpost awaiting the snap. The hike sailed well over his head and out the back of the end zone for the safety and 9-0 Tigers lead.
The Midway free kick is a squib that is easily controlled by the Tigers and is recovered well inside Midway’s territory. After starting on the Raiders’ 35, James Kenan marched into the end zone once again with 4:45 left in the first quarter to make it 16-0.
After starting the ensuing drive on their own 30, Midway finally found success in moving the ball. At the start of the second quarter, the Raiders had crossed midfield into Tigers territory, but the drive stalled at the 44-yard line.
James Kenan began their drive on their own 28-yard line and dig in for a long march down the field. The Tigers capped off a drive that took up most of the quarter on a 10-yard TD run to make it 23-0 with 4:45 remaining.
Now moving the ball with a sense of urgency, Midway found themselves in unfamiliar territory just before the end of the half; the red zone. Midway was suddenly knocking on the door of their first score in a month but Calcutt was intercepted on a pass in the end zone just before the half and James Kenan would lead 23-0 at the break.
After the halftime homecoming festivities, James Kenan was set to receive the kickoff. Just as they had on all of their previous drives, they found the end zone to extend their lead. With 10:00 displayed on the clock in the third quarter, the Tigers scored the touchdown and converted the PAT to make it 30-0.
Midway answered with their best offensive series of the game, driving the ball deep into Tigers territory once again; but the Raiders couldn’t convert. The offense was stymied on fourth down at the Kenan 19 where the Tigers took over.
Yet again at the 5:51 mark, the Tigers were in for another score and PAT to make it 37-0.
James Kenan went on to tack on a 31-yard field goal and one final touchdown to make it a 47-0 final in what many thought would be a closer game.
With the loss, the Raiders drop to 3-7 overall and 1-4 in the conference. They are off this week before concluding the regular season against Goldsboro on Nov. 3 for Senior Night.