–South Point running game prevails in home opener
12 September 2007By Anthony Perkins
BELMONT - September 7, 2007 - The South Point Red Raiders of Belmont unleashed their powerful running attack to overcome the visiting Alexander Central Cougars of Taylorsville in their first home game of the 2007 football season on Friday night. By the time the scoreboard clock had ticked down to all zeroes the Raider running backs had racked up 469 rushing yards along with 87 yards through a seldom used aerial attack, enroute to a 48-21 home win. Although the final score seemed a little lopsided the Cougars had an excellent opportunity to take a lead into the half time. With South Point leading 17-14 and in possession of the ball near mid-field, Raider QB Desmond Lowery dropped pack to pass with less than 5 seconds on the clock.
Unable to find an open receiver, Lowery was blind sided by a Cougar defender and defensive lineman A. J. Hopke scooped up the loose ball near the 40 and headed for the end-zone as time expired. Lowery was able to chase down Hopke and make the tackle inside the five enabling South Point to head to the locker room with a slim 3-point lead.
South Point ran out to a 14-0 lead on the strength of a 4-yard run by FB Aaron Crumbley and a 94-yard sprint by Lowery in the first quarter.
The second quarter was a flip-flop as Alexander Central scored twice on a 15-yard pass play from QB Josh Russell to WR Ralph Adams and an 11-yard pass from Russell to WR Byron Mayes.
South Point kicker James Justice added a 33-yard field goal in between the two Cougar touchdowns and the Red Raiders had a 17-14 lead at the half.
Justice also was a perfect 6 for 6 on extra point attempts, while adding two field goals.
South Point opened the second half with FB Aaron Crumbley scoring his second touchdown for the evening on another 4-yard run.
Alexander Central quickly answered with Russell, hooking up with Adams for the second time, with a 16-yard touchdown pass with 6:48 left in the quarter.
Three plays later, the South Point offense quickly answered when Lowery broke free on a 68-yard touchdown run.
The visiting Cougars never posed a threat to South Point after that as the Red Raiders defensive unit stepped up and limited the Cougars to only one first down and only 67 yards total of offense for the rest of the game.
South Point rounded out the scoring in the fourth quarter with RB Chris Lane scoring on a 33-yard run and reserve QB Josh Justice scoring on a 57 yard run.
James Justice added a 40-yard field goal in between the two touchdowns for the final 48-21 margin.
South Point will be at home again next Friday against Burns and Alexander Central will entertain Wilkes Central at home.
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