The 2016-17 sports season has come to a close and the Exchange will be looking back on the top five moments from this past season. It was another busy year for the Fighting Scots and while there were some dark times, the bright spots from each sport and season certainly out shined them.

We will be counting down the top five moments in reverse order each day this week. The No. 4 moment from the 2016-17 season came in November when the Fighting Scots football team won its sixth straight Southeastern conference title.

WHAT HAPPENED

The game that decided the Southeastern Conference champion, like many season, came down to Scotland vs. Richmond. This year game, November 5, 2016, happened to fall on Scotland head coach Richard Bailey’s birthday. The only two gifts he wanted were a win against Richmond and the Southeastern conference championship— he got both.

The Fighting Scots topped Richmond 21-0 for their sixth straight Southeastern conference championship. It was also the sixth year in a row the Scots had defeated the Raiders.

There was only one thing Scotland head coach Richard Bailey wanted for his birthday Friday night — a win against Richmond and the Southeastern conference championship.

“This is the only way this birthday was going to be a good one, is for this to happen. I’m just so proud of our kids, Richmond is a tough football team,” said Bailey. “I was a little worried in the first half we drove the ball but had turnovers and bad snaps.”

The Scots offense drove the ball down on their first possession and put the ball in the hands of sophomore running back Syheam “Smiley” McQueen for 10-yard go-ahead touchdown. McQueen found the end zone, dragging Richmond defenders with him to give the Scots an early 7-0 lead.

The Scots defense made their presence felt as linebacker Chris Williams picked off Richmond quarterback Leon Zeigler during the Raiders first possession.

The Scots would carried their one-score lead into the fourth quarter. McQueen and Zamir White were finally able to get something going on the ground. McQueen found the end zone to give the Scots a 14-0 lead.

The Scots defense once again came up big as they forced a Richmond fumble at mid-field. Questionable placement of the ball by the officials on fourth down gave Richmond the ball back with just over six minutes to play.

Senior defensive lineman Octavis McLaurin made sure the Raiders didn’t move the ball as he sacked Zeigler in the backfield for a five-yard loss. The sack forced the Raiders to punt the ball back to the Scots.

McQueen drug five Richmond defenders across the goal line for the Scots third and final touchdown.

On the Raiders final drive, quarterback Leon Zeigler tucked the ball and ran before being met by Scots linebacker Javon Ratliffe who forced and recovered the fumble.

Scots quarterback Sergio Gibson took a knee twice to end the game and started the six-peat celebration.

“I always appreciate the defense, they put on a show every game. They look out for us and we look out for them — that’s all that matters,” Gibson said.

McLaurin said he knew this team’s defense and this senior class would be the ones to make history and beat Richmond for a sixth straight year.

“It’s a great feeling because they said our senior class were the ones who would really do it big and would be able to go 6-0 and beat this team,” said Octavis McLaurin. “It great because you have your teammates around you and you’re just having fun. Everyone playing to the best of their abilities and it’s great to beat them 21-0.”

WHAT’S NEXT

The Fighting Scots return a number of underclassmen including running backs Zamir White and Syheam McQueen along with their entire offensive line and linebacking corps. Even with a healthy number of returning starters, the Scots have key holes to fill including quarterback, wide receiver, defensive line and the defensive secondary.

The Scots will try to become the first Sandhills Athletic Conference champions in the 2017-18 season. The team will also try and make a return trip to the 4A state championship, after advancing to the 4A East Regional Finals this past season.

Amber Hatten can be reached at 910-506-3170.

Exchange file photo The Fighting Scots defense shut out Richmond 21-0 on Nov. 5, 2016 to help their team win a sixth straight Southeastern conference.
https://www.laurinburgexchange.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_Defense.jpgExchange file photo The Fighting Scots defense shut out Richmond 21-0 on Nov. 5, 2016 to help their team win a sixth straight Southeastern conference.

Exchange file photo The Fighting Scots topped Richmond 21-0 for their sixth straight Southeastern conference championship on Nov. 5, 2016.
https://www.laurinburgexchange.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_Sixpeat.jpgExchange file photo The Fighting Scots topped Richmond 21-0 for their sixth straight Southeastern conference championship on Nov. 5, 2016.
Closes out Southeastern conference era on top

By Amber Hatten

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STORIES OF THE YEAR, No. 4

The Laurinburg Exchange is reviewing Scotland’s top five sports stories from the 2016-2017 school year. Stories will be published in reverse order each day this week.