GOOD HOPE, Ala. — Good Hope fell short 31-20 Friday night against the Etowah Blue Devils to pick up its first loss of the season and drop to 6-1.
The Blue Devils mostly ran the ball on their opening possession and punched it into the end zone for a touchdown that made it 7-0.
After shutting down the Raiders and forcing a turnover on downs, the Blue Devils got the ball back, but the Good Hope defense bowed up and forced a turnover on downs as well. The Raiders took possession at their own 36-yard line and pounded the ball on the ground all the way to the end zone but came up shy on their extra point making it a 7-6 ballgame.
However, Etowah took the ensuing kickoff and ran it all the way back for a touchdown to stretch its lead to 14-6.
The Raiders were shut down again on their next offensive series, giving Etowah the ball on their own 41-yard line. The Blue Devils pushed the ball all the way down to the Good Hope 5-yard line, but the Raiders were able to hold them to a field goal, bringing the score to 17-6 at the halftime break.
The Raiders came out driving the ball down the field to start the third quarter, but a fumble gave the ball back to Etowah. The Blue Devils took advantage of the turnover and added another touchdown to stretch their lead to 24-6. After a Good Hope punt, Etowah tacked on another score to make it a 31-6 game early in the fourth quarter.
The Raiders were able to make some plays and cut into the deficit in the final frame. Quarterback Tanner Malin scored on the ground and hit Ethan Anderson for a 38-yard touchdown through the air to trim the lead to 31-20, but Good Hope ran out of time and fell for the first time this season, 31-20.
The Raiders will have to refocus next week with another big region game coming up at Fultondale.
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