The Scotland High School 9th grade football team opened up its season in high fashion with a 34-0 trouncing of Lumberton Senior High School on Thursday afternoon.

The Scots (1-0) beat the Pirates in all aspects of the game, whether it be on the offensive or defensive sides of the ball.

The Scots played sound defense and were able to run and pass the ball effectively against Lumberton.

Head Coach Michael Sellers praised the line and running backs for the time the quarterbacks had to make plays in the passing game on Thursday.

"We were able to block today and our line did a good job upfront," Sellers said. "Not only did the line do a good job on getting on blocks, Jalen McLean was making the kick out block on the defensive end and that allowed our quarterbacks to make plays for us today."

Sellers also praised the teams wide receivers for making plays in the passing game for the Scots.

"Our wide receivers are good athletes," he said. "We put the ball in their hands throughout the game and we made some plays."

The Scots got on the board early in the first quarter from a 14-yard pass to running back Jalen McLean from quarterback Ryan Leaf. The extra point was good by a run in from McLean. The score would be 8-0 until late in the second quarter.

With three minutes left in the half, Leaf would score to put Scotland up 14-0. Leaf faked an option on a second and goal play and pummeled his way over the goal-line for a two yard touchdown run. The extra point was no good.

The Scots would score minutes later. With just eight seconds left in the first half, quarterback Storm Davis threw up a pass for wide receiver Tralen Jones in the end-zone and Jones came down with the ball on a 50-50 ball. The extra point was no good. The Scots would go into the half with the score 20-0.

Scotland's fourth score would come off a drive that lasted roughly 8 minutes of the third quarter. Scotland started on Lumberton's 37 yard-line, and on third and 13 play, Leaf would hook up with Daquan Graham for 49 yard pass for a touchdown that would be called back for an illegal block in the back. Later on in the drive Leaf would hook up with Tyron Jones for a 17 yard touchdown pass. The score was 26-0 with 2 minutes left in the third quarter.

Scotland's final score came a four yard run from Graham with six minutes left in the game. The final score would be 34-0 after the extra point was good.

The Scots play next Thursday against Purnell Swett at Pate Stadium. The game will start at 4 p.m.