DURHAM — There were more flags flying on Hillside’s field than airplanes flying out of Raleigh-Durham International Airport on Friday.

The Fighting Scots and the Hillside Hornets combined for 20 penalties for 160 yards. The constant stoppage of play resulted in an almost three-hour game.

Despite the excessive amount of penalties, the Scots picked up the 34-21 win as they went back to their running roots in the second half to get the job done.

The Scots opened the game by defending an onside kick by the Hornets. The Scots never touched the ball so they started the game at the 50-yard line. The offense made quick work of the short field striking first blood with a two-yard touchdown run by senior Zamir White. The extra point by senior Tripp Wells gave the Scots a 7-0 lead.

Defensively, the Scots swarmed to the ball in the first half and put pressure on Hillside’s quarterback Randy Trice Jr.

Senior middle linebacker Javon Ratliffe recovered the ball on the nine yard line after a bad snap by Hillside to set up a Warren Bell touchdown pass to Khalil Smith. A second successful extra point put the Scots up 14-0.

Hillside responded with a touchdown of their own in the second quarter, but the extra point sailed wide left to make it a 14-6 Scots game.

That would be the halftime score as neither team was able to complete a drive without being penalized.

Hillside opened the second half with a kickoff run to the eight yard line by Hornets running back Jamal Elliot. The run set up a touchdown pass from Trice to Mvles Dillon. Hillside then successfully completed a two-point conversion to the game 14-14.

The Hornets then recovered an onside kick, which allowed them to take a 21-14 lead following a pass from Trice to Elliot in the corner of the end zone.

The Scots offense responded with two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach. Bell went on a long quarterback keeper run to set up a one-yard White touchdown to give the Scots a 28-21 lead.

White scored his final touchdown of the game from five yards out with just under three minutes left in the game. The Scots defense held and the offense returned to the field and assumed the victory formation. Bell knelt the ball three times to run the clock out.

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

Amber Hatten | Laurinburg Exchange Fighting Scots linebackers Chris Williams (9) and Marqwues Wilson (3) chase down Durham Hillside quarterback Randy Trice Jr. during the first quarter of Friday’s game in Durham.
https://www.laurinburgexchange.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_IMG_1113.jpgAmber Hatten | Laurinburg Exchange Fighting Scots linebackers Chris Williams (9) and Marqwues Wilson (3) chase down Durham Hillside quarterback Randy Trice Jr. during the first quarter of Friday’s game in Durham.

Amber Hatten | Laurinburg Exchange Fighting Scots running back Syheam “Smiley” McQueen drags a Durham Hillside defender during one of his runs in the first half.
https://www.laurinburgexchange.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/web1_IMG_1070.jpgAmber Hatten | Laurinburg Exchange Fighting Scots running back Syheam “Smiley” McQueen drags a Durham Hillside defender during one of his runs in the first half.
Earn 34-21 win over Hornets

By Amber Hatten

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