Lee-Scott defeats Loachapoka

Daniel said.

Along with more than three turnovers by each squad, Loachapoka also had a late rally halted when a fourth quarter touchdown run was called back on a holding penalty. Instead of scoring to make it 2118 (before an extra point attempt) with under six minutes remaining, LeeScott forced a turnover on downs on fourth down to reclaim possession.

The Warriors’ bruising rushing attack had milked the clock on lengthy drives all game long, but the Indians stood up on defense and forced two more punts for a chance to get the ball back after the turnover on downs in the final minutes. However, both of the attempted punt returns were muffed and recovered by Lee-Scott – an unfortunate but appropriate finish to a sloppy game.

“I think we had six turnovers. You are not going to win many games like that,”

The momentum was all in Lee-Scott’s favor early on in a high-action first half, but there was no scoring in the entire second half.

Junior Easton Gregory got the party started quickly by blocking a punt and falling on it in the end zone for a score on the first drive of the game. Lee-Scott kept its foot on the gas early, as senior quarterback Pelzer Reeves rumbled into the end zone on a read option run on the Warriors’ first offensive possession to make it 14-0.

That’s where Loachapoka began to fight.

After two three-and-out drives to begin the game, the Indians turned to junior QB K.J. Carter to spark the offense. That’s exactly what he did, as he led two consecutive scoring drives on his first two possessions to make it 14-12. First, he hit senior Jacarri Stone on a screen pass before Stone made a man miss and outran the entire defense for a TD. Then, Carter showed off his wheels for a 23-yard stroll into the end zone.

Although Carter was visibly upset after Loachapoka turned it over on downs on the goal line late in the fourth quarter, his effort and skill was obvious in his first game for the Indians. Turnovers and penalties bit Loachapoka in a scoreless second half, but the Indians have a lot to build on with Carter behind center.

“He is a tough dude,” Hall said of his quarterback. “He gave it everything he got. Man, I’m proud of him.”

On the other side, LeeScott has a lot to improve on as well, from explosive offensive plays to key defensive stands.

Senior running back Tyler Kennedy proved crucial for the Warriors, quickly providing an answer to Loachapoka’s consecutive scores by taking a screen pass 50 yards to the house to make it 21-12 – a score that stood to the final tick.

A two-quarterback system has also emerged for the Warriors, as Reeves shared snaps with senior Auburn High transfer Max Hammer for the second week in a row. Reeves, who is a returning starter from last year’s state championship team, has started each game but has given way for several drives to Hammer, although neither guy has taken over clear-cut starting reps in practice, according to a Lee-Scott coach.

In the end, the Warriors’ got gutsy stops on defensive when it needed them to decide a tight battle. Still, it was clear that both teams are going to be forces to reckon with as the season goes on, though there’s plenty to clean up going into their respective matchups this week.

On Friday, Sep. 6, Lee-Scott will travel to Childersburg (1-1) for its first game in 3A Region 4. Loachapoka will hit the road for a matchup with Lannett (1-1).