RED SPRINGS — The Midway Raiders traveled to Robeson County Friday night to take on the highly touted Red Devils of Red Springs High School in the first round of the state playoffs. The home team took control early and sent the Raiders packing with a 62-9 beating.
The Red Devils got the first possession, starting on their 38-yard line. Moments later, Jedarian LeSane scampered 10 yards for the first of many touchdowns with 10:46 to play in the opening frame. The PAT failed.
The Raiders started on their 46. Aaron Thurman got a first down and it looked liked Midway was in business. But a fumble on the 4-yard line gave the home team possession. However, a very determined Thurman brought down Zack Leach in the end zone for a safety. The score was 6-2 at the 6:58 mark of the first quarter.
Following the free kick, the Raiders took possession at the Red Springs 38. Quarterback Taylor Calcutt connected with Troy Spell on a 40-yard pass play to give the Raiders a brief lead. Jansen Wrench nailed the PAT and it was 9-6 Raiders. Midway would not score any more.
LeSane took the ensuing kickoff 85 yards for another touchdown. The PAT failed again. With 4:56 to go in the quarter, it was 12-9 Red Springs.
On the Raiders next possession, the visitors went for it on 4th and 3 from the Red Springs 38 and failed. The Red Devils took over and quarterback Blake Greene scored from 15 yards out at the 1:43 mark. Leach scored the 2-point conversion giving the home team a 20-9 lead.
Seven seconds later, the Raiders fumbled and Red Springs capitalized with a 45-yard touchdown pass to Leach with still over a minute left in the first quarter. The PAT by Hayden Bannick made it 27-9. That would be the score when the quarter mercifully ended for the Raiders.
In the second period, the news did not get any better for the visitors. On the second play of the quarter, a Raider punt was blocked and Christopher McGeachy ran it 35 yards for a Red Devil score. With 11:07 to go before intermission, it was 34-9.
A roughing the passer penalty gave the Raiders a first down on the ensuing possession, but their drive fizzled and the Red Devils took over on downs. The home team fumbled moments later, but Midway quickly returned the ball to Red Springs in the form of an interception. Moments later, a Greene pass to Leach led to another score. 41-9 would be the halftime score.
In the second half, while the Raiders nursed numerous injuries, the Red Devils continued show great ability. McGeachy scored on a 49 yard pass play at the 9 minute mark. Later in the quarter Jamison Baker ran 20 yards to make it 55-9. Red Springs’ last score came on a blocked punt by Mike Graham and another touchdown by McGeachy. The final score was 62-9.
Offensively, Cody Baker had 14 carries for 47 yards to lead the Raiders. Thurman, hampered by an injury, rushed 14 times for 37 yards. LeSane led the home team with 6 carries and 85 yards.
In passing, Calcutt connected on 2 of 6, including the 37 yard pass to Spell. Green was good on 10 of 16 passes for 234 yards for Red Springs.
Troy Spell and Collin Warren had 3 tackles each to lead Midway’s defense.
“They were like a whirlwind,” declared Midway head coach Tommy Sloan. “They’re so fast and they had a lot of weapons. They were very physical. Their pace of play was fast and it was hard for us to catch up to.”
The Raiders finish their season at 5-7. Red Springs is 9-3 and will host Pender next week.
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