LAURINBURG — The Fighting Scots are two games away from a berth to the 4A state championship. The team with the dream is still chasing the ring after a 49-27 win over Hoggard on Friday night at Pate Stadium in the third round of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s 4A playoffs.
Despite the chilly December weather the Scots offense was red hot scoring two touchdowns in the first quarter — one on a touchdown by sophomore running back Syheam “Smiley” McQueen, a successful extra point by senior kicker Grant Ciarroca to give the Scots a 7-0 lead. Scots quarterback Sergio Gibson then found junior Davon Ratliffe wide open after he faked the pitch to the running back and looked like he was going to take off running. Instead Gibson pulled back and launched the ball to a wide open Ratliffe for the Scots second touchdown of the game.
With a 13-0 lead at the end of the first quarter, the Scots offense wasn’t done putting on a show for fans. Junior running back Zamir White broke free to put the Scots in Vikings territory. The run set up a fade pass from Gibson to McQueen in the right corner of the end zone. Gibson then ran the two-point conversion into the end zone untouched to put the Scots up 21-0.
On the Scots next possession, White found a running lane to scamper down the sideline for 29 yards and another Scots touchdown. The extra point was good by Ciarroca to put the Scots up 28-0 with 33 seconds left before halftime. Hoggard’s quarterback Josh Jones was then sacked by the Scots defense on a botched fake punt.
The Vikings offense found new life after halftime and marched down the field on the legs of Jones to score their first touchdown of the game. Jones ran the ball in from one-yard out and a successful PAT put Hoggard on the board, 28-7.
The Scots offense responded 20 seconds later with a 76-touchdown run by White to take the wind out of the Vikings sails. Jones then found wide receiver Collin Hairr from 15 yards out for Hoggard’s second touchdown to make the game interesting to end the third quarter with the Scots holding onto a 35-14 lead.
Once again the Scots offense, not to be out done, responded with a rushing touchdown from McQueen from five yards out to increase Scots lead to 42-14. Scots defensive back Amir McNeill at the 29 yard line. Scots running back Khalil Smith then fumbled the pitch from Gibson to give the ball back to Hoggard.
Hoggard capitalized on the turnover and Jones found Hairr for a 36-yard touchdown. McNeill then blocked the extra point to put Hoggard down by 22 points, 42-20. Smith atoned for the fumble with a 21 yard run to put the Scots into Hoggard’s red zone. Smith then found the end zone from five yards out to increase the Scots lead to 49-20.
The Vikings found the end zone one more time before the end of the game as Jones hooked up with tight end Patrick Morrison. The extra point put the final score onto the board, Scots 49-27.
Hoggard got the ball back for a final possession before Tyshaun Thomas picked off a pass from Jones.
Scots head coach Richard Bailey’s message after the win was simple — one more game and the Scots get a shot at their championship ring.
Bailey had something put positive things to say about both his offense and defense’s performance in the third round of the playoffs.
“For the most part our defense did a very good job against an excellent offense. We held then to less than their average. Offensively we’re clicking right now. Our line is doing a great job, our running backs are phenomenal. Is Khalil Smith not the best third string running back in the state of North Carolina?”
The Scots three-headed rushing attack — White, McQueen and Smith — helped the Scots to post 433 rushing yards to go along with 91 passing yards. The Scots defense gave up 318 total yards to Hoggard — 94 on the ground and 224 through the air — while forcing two turnovers and only allowing the Vikings to get 15 first downs.
“I’m really pleased with where we’re at, but we do need to continue to try and get healthier,” said Bailey. “We’re beat up a little bit in some places. Hopefully, Lord willing, these guys will come back ready to practice.”
Bailey and the Scots will face Cape Fear in the Eastern Region finals next Friday night at Pate Stadium and once again encouraged fans to come out and support the team.
“It’s going to be a crazy atmosphere, Cape Fear isn’t very far away and they have a good fan base so it will be packed,” said Bailey. “We need to make sure we pack our side. We haven’t shown up like we’re capable of showing up. The 4A Eastern Championship is a big game, so we need 10,000 people here. We need it to be one of those nights where all of Scotland County is here.”
Amber Hatten can be reached at 910-506-3170.
