With postseason football underway, Midway traveled to Elizabeth City on Friday night to take on the Northeastern Eagles in first round action. The trip wasn’t a kind one for the Raiders as Northeastern cruised to a 48-12 victory.

Northeastern set the tone early as the Eagles defense made a big play on the first drive, scooping up a Midway fumble and rumbling 50-yards for the touchdown and PAT. With 8:36 showing on the clock in the first quarter, Northeastern led 7-0 before their offense even touched the field.

Midway responded, scoring just 57 seconds later on a 72-yard drive that was capped off by a 1-yard Jake Clark run. Midway’s PAT was blocked and Northeastern still led 7-6 with 7:39 left in the first quarter.

The Eagles came right back, taking advantage of a short field situation after Midway’s onside kick attempt failed. With 7:09 remaining, Northeastern found a hole on a 42-yard rushing play for the touchdown, capping off just a short 3-play drive. The PAT was successful and the Eagles led 14-6.

After the Northeastern defense held on the ensuing series, the Eagles offense took the field for another drive, taking over on their own 25-yard line. It looked as if Midway had seized a golden opportunity to cut into the deficit when Jamerius Rich intercepted a pass. But the ball was stripped from him on the return and the Eagles were set back up with first and ten.

With 3:27 remaining on the clock in the first quarter, Northeastern capitalized, going 60-yards for the score. The 2-point conversion was no good but the Eagles now led 20-6.

The first quarter would come to close with Northeastern threatening again after a Raynor interception at midfield. The Eagles would eventually add to their lead, scoring on the second play of the second quarter to make it 27-6 at the 11:25 mark.

Midway answered as the Raiders were finally able put together a solid drive. After starting on their own 19-yard line, Midway capped off the 81-yard drive with a 44-yard touchdown pass from Raynor to Deshaun Tonge. The 2-point conversion failed and Midway was back to within 27-12.

Midway suffered a terrible setback as the first half was drawing to a close. After a big defensive stop allowed the Raiders offense to take the field with an opportunity to close the gap, it was the Eagles defense that came up with a momentum-busting Pick-6 with 2:44 remaining in the half. After the PAT, it was 33-12 Eagles at the break.

The second half was all Northeastern as the Eagles tacked on two more scores to put the game out of reach for the Raiders.

The first score came at 10:25 in the third quarter with the 2-point conversion successfully making it 41-12 Eagles. The final score came with 2:09 left in quarter number three to make it 48-12.

Offensively, Midway was led by Raynor’s 151 passing yards on four completions. Tongue was responsible for 78 yards on two of those completions. The Raisers rushed for 144 yards with Clark leading the way with 52-yards on 14 carries.

On the defensive side of the ball, Derrick Loftis led Midway with 12 tackles.

Midway finishes the season 5-7 overall.

Austin Raynor rolls right looking for an open receiver during Friday night playoff game.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/web1_Austin-Raynor-2-1-1.jpgAustin Raynor rolls right looking for an open receiver during Friday night playoff game.
Raiders finish season at 5-7

By Melony Henderson

Sports Editor