An old Sampson County rivalry was renewed in Spivey’s Corner on Friday night. Lakewood, victors of three straight games in this series, entered the contest an underdog to some degree against a solid Midway football team. The Leopards didn’t wear that title, though, as they held their own against the Raiders. But in the end, it was Midway’s defense making big plays down the stretch to hold Lakewood at bay for the 42-22 win.

A longstanding, heated rivalry mixed with enhanced security due to threats during the week really enhanced the emotion and intensity of the atmosphere. After the coin toss, Midway was set to receive the opening kickoff. Immediately, nerves were on display as the Raiders laid the ball on the ground on the return. They recovered their own fumble, but the opening drive was later ended on another fumble down in Lakewood territory.

The Leopards didn’t fair much better, honestly, as their opening drive always went empty to hand the ball right back to Midway.

Penalties were in abundance all night long with each team seeing their fair share of penalty yards. Early on, it was the Raiders that were victims of the referees as their second drive put it in reverse and ended with a punt.

On Lakewood’s ensuing drive, it was the Leopards turn to see the yellow handkerchiefs thrown against them. Their drive also went backwards after some penalties, but Lakewood connected on third down and forever and went on to run the ball effectively. Travis Crawford found paydirt from about 10 yards and Lakewood took a 7-0 lead with 35.9 ticks left in the first quarter.

Midway, though, quickly answered.

With their running game struggling in the early going, the Raiders opted to try things through the air – and, boy, did it work. Sophomore quarterback Wyatt Holland connected with senior Cameron Barefoot down the right sideline who scored on a 75-yard catch and run. Junior Acosta sent the PAT through the uprights and the score was tied at 7-7 with 11:48 on the clock in the second quarter.

Holland was only getting warmed up.

After Lakewood’s ensuing possession went fruitless, Holland connected with Jaden Covington for a 38-yard touchdown strike. This time, the PAT missed to the left, but Midway had went ahead 13-7 with 4:34 left.

Lakewood’s next drive was also unsuccessful as the Leopards were backed up modestly inside their own territory. Making matters worse, a bad snap on the punt attempt backed the Leopards up even more, giving Midway the ball at the Lakewood 22-yard line.

With 44.4 seconds left in the half, Deantae Byrd ran the ball in from the 1-yard line for another score. Acosta’s PAT was good this time and Midway took the 20-7 lead.

The Raiders came away with three interceptions on the night – the first of which was on Lakewood’s next drive. Isaiah McClendon intercepted the ball near midfield where Midway set up shop for one more scoring attempt. Indeed, the Raiders – assisted by some Leopards penalties – got the ball close enough for an Acosta 26-yard field goal as time expired in the first half, giving Midway a 23-7 lead at the break.

Out of the break, Lakewood received the ball first and settled in for their opening drive on their own 40-yard line. The drive consumed nearly half of the third quarter as the Leopards marched all 60 yards for a touchdown that was converted by Hayden Carter on a 1-yard keeper. Facing a 16-point deficit, the Leopards elected to go for two which was converted by Tillyon Williams to make it 23-15 with 6:35 left in the third quarter.

Seemingly clawing back into contention, the Leopards were back to within one possession following 23-unanswered points by Midway. Any momentum they had though was immediately usurped by the Raiders when Covington made the Leopards pay once again, this time on the special teams unit. Covington took Lakewood’s kickoff at his own 5-yard line and he was off to the races. He sprinted all 95 yards and ignited the Midway faithful that packed the stands as the Raiders had pushed the lead back to two possessions. Acosta’s PAT was blocked, however, and the score was left nestled at 29-15.

The Leopards, though, weren’t going to be deterred. They settled in for another successful scoring drive that was capped off by Tillyon Williams on a 5-yard touchdown run with 1:49 left in the third quarter. Their PAT was successful, and Lakewood had drawn back to within seven at 29-22.

For Lakewood, that would be as close as they could get. They had their opportunities, though. With the dawn of the fourth quarter, Midway was once again threatening around the Leopards 20-yard line facing second down and five to go. Holland was sacked for a loss on the play, but on third down the Raiders rushed the ball back to within five yards of the first down marker. Facing fourth and five, Holland dropped back for a pass and connected with a receiver for a touchdown that ignited the Raiders. It was all for nil, however, as the head referee brought things to a halt on a holding call that erased the score. Midway was unable to convert the new fourth and long situation and Lakewood took back over on their own 33-yard line.

The Leopards were now facing a potential game-tying or even lead-taking drive, but they couldn’t capitalize. Penalties set Lakewood back and they were forced to punt the ball away. Yet another personal foul after the play set the Raiders in good field position at the 43-yard line. Midway wouldn’t allow the Leopards another opportunity as Holland optioned to Byrd from six yards out for another touchdown. Midway’s PAT failed but the Raiders led 35-22 with 6:22 left in the game.

The fight didn’t leave the Leopards, though, as they went right to work to string together another drive. They were threatening when Midway’s Barefoot came up with a huge play to ice the game. Carter threw a pass down to the 5-yard line that Barefoot picked off and the senior was off to the races, going untouched for the 95-yard Pick-6. Acosta converted the PAT and the score nestled on 42-22.

The Raiders came away with one more turnover when Tyler Godwin picked off another Leopards pass. With that, time expired and the curtain was drawn on a Midway victory over Lakewood, 42-22.

After the game, Midway head coach Cory Barnes was pleased with the effort from both teams. He credited Lakewood coach Barrett Sloan and his coaching staff for having the Leopards fired up and ready to play, calling them a very good team. He also credited his own team, especially his senior leadership for stepping up and setting an example to his younger players.

Over on the Leopards sideline, Sloan said penalties cost his team.

“Our offensive line won the game but penalties killed us,” he said. “The whole night we were able to move the ball we just kept stopping ourselves. We’ve got to be able to control our attitudes and not allow others to dictate our play.”

Statistically for Midway, Byrd rushed the ball 12 times for 70 yards and two touchdowns. Holland went 6-for-9 for 183 yards and two scores. Barefoot, in addition to the Pick-6, had four catches for 183 yards and a touchdown.

For Lakewood, Williams rushed the ball 24 times for 218 yards and two scores. Carter went 7-for-14 with 75 yards and also rushed for one score.

With the win, Midway is now 3-0 on the season. They will face perhaps their biggest test of the season next week when they travel to take on 4-0 Hobbton in our Nissan of Clinton Game of the Week.

For Lakewood, they are now 2-2 and will return home for a date with South Brunswick.

Lakewood Quarterback Hayden Carter prepares to fire a pass downfield.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/web1_LHS-Hayden-Carter-1.jpgLakewood Quarterback Hayden Carter prepares to fire a pass downfield.

Midway’s Cameron Barefoot hauls in the pass for his 75-yard touchdown pass.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/web1_MHS-Cameron-Barefoot-3.jpgMidway’s Cameron Barefoot hauls in the pass for his 75-yard touchdown pass.

Midway’s Deantae Byrd cuts upfield on a running play.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/web1_MHS-Deantae-Byrd.jpgMidway’s Deantae Byrd cuts upfield on a running play.

Midway’s Wyatt Holland draws back for a pass attempt.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/web1_MHS-Wyatt-Holland.jpgMidway’s Wyatt Holland draws back for a pass attempt.

Travis Crawford carries the ball through traffic.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/web1_LHS-Travis-Crawford.jpgTravis Crawford carries the ball through traffic.

Cameron Barefoot carries the ball on a rush late in the game.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/web1_MHS-Cameron-Barefoot.jpgCameron Barefoot carries the ball on a rush late in the game.
Raiders hold on in second half, secure 42-22 victory

By Daron Barefoot

Sports Editor

Reach Sports Editor Daron Barefoot at [email protected].