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DUNN — Tripp Westbrook threw a touchdown pass to Kendrick Tyndall with 25 seconds remaining to pull Midway within a point, then tossed a 2-point conversion pass to Casey Culbreth for the win as the Raiders rallied to beat East Bladen 23-22 on Friday night in the Southeastern Athletic Conference football opener.

The loss was the third straight for East Bladen (1-4 overall) and came in heartbreaking fashion. The Eagles led 22-8 with 10 minutes remaining.

Midway (3-2) has won three straight.

Photos by Daron Barefoot, Sampson Independent

After a scoreless first quarter, Midway’s Trey Gregory scored from the 1 on fourth down and goal midway through the second quarter. The 2-point conversion gave the Raiders an 8-0 lead.

Masion Brooks, who had missed the last six quarters due to a leg injury prior to Friday’s game, returned to the lineup and scored late in the second and third quarters to put East Bladen ahead 14-8.

Brooks’ first touchdown came on a 4-yard run with 48 seconds remaining in the second quarter. The 2-point conversion attempt failed.

Brooks’ second score came with 57 seconds remaining in the third quarter on a 3-yard run. It was set up by a long fourth down pass that was batted around and caught by the Eagles’ receiver.

East Bladen added to its lead early in the fourth quarter when Darius Williamson ran 4 yards up the middle for the score. Brooks’ 2-point run gave the Eagles a 22-8 advantage with 9:54 to play.

The Raiders answered on their next possession. Westbrook connected with Gregory from 14 yards for the score. The conversion kick pulled Midway within 22-15 with 6:36 remaining.

Midway recovered the ensuing kickoff and took over at the East Bladen 43 but was unable to move the ball and punted.

East Bladen moved the ball to midfield, but a fourth down play came up short of the first down. Midway took over with 3:42 remaining.

Midway capped its winning drive with Westbrook’s 6-yard touchdown pass to Tyndall and his 2-point conversion pass that gave the Raiders a 23-22 advantage with 25 seconds left.

Any chance of an East Bladen comeback ended when Culbreth recovered the kickoff for Midway.

Brooks ran for 143 yards and 21 carries and Nyquan Richardson had 60 yards on 6 carries to lead the East Bladen offense. Malakhi caught 2 passes for 45 yards, which were the only two passes thrown by quarterback Peyton Tatum. Tatum was playing in place of injured starter Kewane Maynor.

Defensively, Jordan Mathis and Zamar Lewis each had a sack for the Eagles.

East Bladen will host Clinton next Friday at Lenon Fisher Stadium. Midway will play at Fairmont next Friday.

East Bladen 0-6-8- 8—22
Midway 0-8-0-15—23
M — Trey Gregory 1 run (2-point conversion good)
E — Masion Brooks 4 run (2-point conversion failed)
E — Brooks 3 run (2-point conversion good)
E — Darius Williamson 4 run (Brooks run)
M — Gregory 14 pass from Tripp Westbrook (kick good)
M — Kendrick Tyndall 6 pass from Westbrook (Westbrook pass to Gregory)