Photo shows Good Hope High School's 2016 football team, coaches and cheerleaders.
BLOUNTSVILLE – It was a really sloppy game tonight between Good Hope and Susan Moore. They combined for 10 turnovers. But the Raiders made enough big plays in the game to defeat the Bulldogs 19-12.
"If there was one word to describe this game, it was sloppy." Good Hope Coach Alan Scott said. "We have to hang on to the football."
The first quarter started out with a bang for both teams on their first series. Susan Moore scored on the very first play of the game on a 70-yard touchdown pass from Hunter Duncan to Angel Duarte to make it 6-0. Good Hope used the running game to get into the end zone and Matthew Dixon would break free for a 68-yard touchdown run on just the second play to put the Raiders up 7-6 with 10:28 left in the first quarter.
On the Bulldogs' next series, they put together a long drive, but they ended up fumbling the ball and Good Hope recovered. But the Raiders would give it right back to them on their first play by fumbling. Good Hope ran all but one play on the ground in their last series of the quarter and it ended with Dixon scoring from 8 yards out right at the horn to give the Raiders a 13-6 lead after one.
In the second quarter, turnovers and penalties played big for both teams as neither team could get momentum going, even after big plays. The half ended with Good Hope still up 13-6. The third quarter, the varsity squad played one series for Good Hope on both sides. The JV played the rest of the game. The score would stay the same until Susan Moore scored on a 20-yard run by Gavin Harper to cut the lead to 13-12. After forcing a Raider fumble, the Bulldogs would cough up the ball themselves and Good Hope took advantage when Hudson Leverett scored from 13 yards out to give Good Hope a 19-12 lead with 1:47 left to go in the game. The Bulldogs had one more chance, but their sixth and final turnover proved costly and Good Hope was able to survive.
"I loved that our guys were continuing to work hard." Scott said.
Dixon finished with 104 yards on just six carries and two touchdowns. Leverett rushed for 33 yards on six carries and a touchdown. Devan Williams, Dixon, Warren Creel and Garrett Bagwell had stops in the backfield on defense for Good Hope. Austin McDonald had a fumble recovery.
For Susan Moore, Duncan finished 2/4 for 95 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Harper scored on his only carry of the night. Duarte caught both passes for 95 yards and the touchdown.
Good Hope will start out their season next Thursday night at home against Vinemont. "It's all about execution," Scott said on preparing his team for the Eagles and how to cut down on the turnovers.
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