RAEFORD — Scotland is going to the state championship.

The Fighting Scots held Seventy-First to 73 yards of offense on their way to a 28-0 victory over the Falcons in the 4A East Regional on Friday night.

“Our defense was dominant,” Scotland head coach Richard Bailey said. “Unbelievable job by coach (Scott) Loosemore and our entire defensive staff. They deserve a bunch of credit. We had a good plan.”

Scotland tallied 380 rushing yards as a team, and Joseph McKoy led the way with 155 yards. Syheam McQueen, the team’s leading rusher, did not play after suffering a sprained MCL during practice earlier in the week.

Despite McQueen’s absence, Bailey said Scotland’s game plan suited his team’s backup running backs — McKoy, R.J. Nicholson, Jatavious McKayhan and Darrius Dockery. Nicholson led the backups with 74 rushing yards.

The game plan also worked for quarterback Mandrell Johnson, who rushed for 120 yards and caught a 4-yard touchdown pass from McKoy in the first quarter.

“I felt good,” Johnson said. “We believed in ourselves, no matter what anyone else thought. I thank my offensive line.”

Seventy-First’s Jamiese Alston intercepted a pass by Scotland’s Tyler Barfield on the game’s opening drive, but the Falcons then lost a fumble on a backward pass.

That helped set up McKoy’s 4-yard jump pass to Johnson, which gave Scotland a 7-0 lead.

On the Falcons’ next drive, Dashay Singletary sacked quarterback Kyler Davis on third down to force Seventy-First to punt.

Scotland scored on three long runs in the second quarter. McKoy broke through for an 18-yard touchdown run, and Johnson scored on a 40-yard run. McKoy found the end zone again on a 33-yard run before halftime to give the Scots a 28-0 lead at halftime.

The Falcons had possession for most of the third quarter, but they ended up punting twice in the period. The second punt came after the Falcons recovered a fumble by McKoy on their own 22-yard line.

The Scots forced two turnovers in the fourth quarter — the first on an interception by McKoy, and the second on a fumble by the Falcons.

The Scots will play against East Forsyth in the championship game at Wallace Wade Stadium at 7 p.m. on Saturday.

Brandon Tester | The Laurinburg Exchange Scotland’s players and coaches celebrate after defeating Seventy-First in the 4A East Regional on Friday. Scotland advanced to the state championship game.
https://www.laurinburgexchange.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/web1_IMG_0697-1.jpgBrandon Tester | The Laurinburg Exchange Scotland’s players and coaches celebrate after defeating Seventy-First in the 4A East Regional on Friday. Scotland advanced to the state championship game.

By Brandon Tester

Sports editor

Brandon Tester can be reached at [email protected] or 910-506-3170. Follow him on Twitter @BrandonTester.