GOOD HOPE, Ala. – The Good Hope Raiders returned home to host Fayette County in a big region matchup Thursday night but couldn’t overcome an early Tiger lead, falling 30-14 to move to 7-2 on the season.
Good Hope won the toss and deferred to the second half, giving Fayette County the ball first and the Tigers came out firing, taking the ball into the end zone for an early 7-0 lead. The Raiders were forced to punt the ball and give it back to Fayette County on the 47-yard line, but Good Hope was able to hold defensively and get the ball back going into the second quarter.
The Raiders took the ball and started moving down the field, but a fumble returned possession to the Tigers, who picked up chunks of yardage through the air before topping off the drive with a 2-yard run for a touchdown that stretched the lead to 14-0. The Raiders continued to struggle offensively and were forced to punt again, giving the Tigers another chance to score.
Fayette County took a long drive down into the red zone and through more penalties and a defensive stand, the Raiders were able to get the ball back after a turnover on downs. The Raiders quickly took over and took advantage with a big pass play from Tanner Malin to Drew Maddox, and a few plays later, Malin ran one in to bring the score to 14-7 late in the second quarter. The Tigers get the ball back and quickly drove the ball back down the field and managed to hit a field goal as the half ended to go up 17-7 at the break.
The Raiders came out in the second half and were forced to punt almost immediately. The Tigers marched down the field and scored to make it 24-7 early in the third. With the Raiders struggling on offense, they were forced to punt the ball away again, putting the ball back into the hands of the dangerous Fayette County offense. The Tigers took advantage and scored to go ahead 30-7. The Raiders started moving the ball, but the Tiger defense brought the drive to and end with an interception. The Raiders held the Tigers to a failed field goal try that made it 30-7 after three quarters and Good Hope was able to cut the lead to 30-14 early in the fourth.
The Tigers got the ball back and the Good Hope defense stepped up with an interception. The Raiders got the ball back and just as they started to get the ball moving, they gave it right back with another interception and the Tigers held onto their lead, not only winning tonight’s ballgame 30-14, but the rights to home field advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
The Raiders will take the short trip over to Hanceville next week to finish the regular season against the Bulldogs.
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