DUNN – Quarterback Carson Calcutt directed a Midway offense that scored on 8 of their first 9 possessions en route to a 55-32 non-conference football victory over West Bladen Friday night.
Calcutt ran for 127 yards and completed 5 of 7 passes for 110 yards and 2 touchdowns. Junior tailback Deantae Byrd rushed for 120 yards and 2 touchdowns, and junior Jam Rich carried 15 times for 118 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Byrd capped a 55-yard opening drive for the Raiders with a 25-yard touchdown run that put Midway up 6-0.
The Knights answered with a 59-yard scoring drive in ten plays that was highlighted by senior Kerron Washington’s 26-yard run. Junior quarterback Tyre Boykin sneaked one yard for the tying touchdown.
Midway covered 73 yards in 5 plays to retake the lead. Calcutt carried for 28 yards then hurled a 31-yard touchdown pass to Cameron Barefoot. Calcutt ran for the 2-point conversion and a 14-6 lead.
On the next West Bladen possession, Boykin’s pass on third-and-long appeared to be overthrown, but sophmore Shy’ron Adams raced behind the defenders and hauled in the pass to complete a 56-yard touchdown play that pulled the Knights to within 14-12.
Midway responded with a 54-yard drive in 6 plays. Byrd raced 23 yards to the Knight 3 yardline and toted the ball into the end zone on the next play. Reese Register booted the extra point for a 21-12 Raider lead.
Johnyren Parker recovered Midway’s on-side kick, and the Raiders needed only 4 plays to cover 43 yards. Rich darted into the end on a 4-yard TD run, and Register tacked on the point for a 28-12 Raider lead four seconds into the second quarter.
Washington carried twice for 28 yards as the Knights drove to the Midway 12 yardline, before the Raiders’ Drew Matthews recovered a West Bladen fumble to end the threat.
One play later Adams intercepted a Raider pass to give the Knights possession at the Midway 42 yardline. Ten plays later Boykin tossed an 8-yard touchdown pass that Adams made a leaping catch of for the touchdown that trimmed the margin to 28-18.
The Raiders responded with a 57-yard drive in 6 plays. Calcutt carried for 18 yards, and Byrd picked up 22 yards. Calcutt flipped an 11-yard scoring pass to Carsse Lucas, and Register booted another extra point for a 35-18 lead.
Lucas intercepted a Knight pass and returned the ball 30 yards to the Knight 25 yardline. On the next play Calcutt scampered 25 yards for the touchdown and a 41-18 Raider halftime lead.
A 30-yard pass from Boykin to sophmore Malaci Oxendine moved the Knights to the Raider 32 yardline before being stopped on downs.
Midway responded with a 65-yard drive in ten plays. Dante Blue scampered 8 yards for the touchdown. Register booted the extra point for a 48-18 Raider lead.
Another Raider on-side kick attempt failed, so West Bladen gained possession at the Midway 48 yardline. Boykin tossed a short pass to freshman Demarius Robinson who rambled 21 yards to the Midway 27. Boykin then scrambled 22 yards for the touchdown to close the gap to 48-24.
Midway replied with a 55-yard scoring drive in 7 plays. Rich ran 3 yards for the touchdown, and Register kicked the extra point for a 55-24 lead.
The Knights bounced back with a 56-yard drive in just 3 plays. Boykin dashed 11 yards to begin the drive then connected with Adams on a 15-yard pass. Washington took a short pass from Boykin and scooted 33 yards for a touchdown. Adams caught a 2-point conversion pass from Boykin to trim the final margin to 55-32.
“We ended up with a basketball score,” said Knight Coach Kris Williams. “The kids played tough. I was proud of their effort. They didn’t give up and kept fighting.”
Williams also noted that the Knights were missing five or six players due to various injuries – most of them leg injuries.
“We came out and wanted to run the ball to help keep our defense off the field,” continued Williams. “We had to open it up and throw the ball in the second half and make our speed count.”
Boykin carried 9 times for 66 yards and 2 touchdowns, and completed 8 of 11 passes for 172 yards and 3 touchdowns. Washington rushed 11 times for 76 yards and caught a 33-yard touchdown pass. Adams caught 3 passes for 79 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Mistakes plagued the Knights as they were whistled for 93 yards of penalties and committed three turnovers. Midway outrushed the Knights 369-189 and held a 479-255 edge in total yards.
West Bladen will open Three Rivers Conference play at Fairmont Friday night.
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