Vikings rally to end Raiders’ season with 23-17 heartbreaker
Emerald RB Christopher Dean (0) looks for running room against the Laurens defense as defenders Nasir Sanders (18) and Isai Fernandez (28) give chase. (Monte Dutton photo)
Emerald scored the game-winning touchdown with 11. 7 seconds remaining in the game to escape K.C. Hanna Stadium with a 23-17 victory over Laurens Friday night.
With the win, the Vikings (5-5 overall, 2-3 Region 1-4A) captured the fourth playoff spot from Region 1-4A.
The Raiders ended their season – the second under head coach Greg Porter – with a 1-9 overall record and 1-4 in region play for the second straight year.
Trailing 17-9 in the second half, Emerald quarterback Beau Hite threw a touchdown pass and then scored on a 1-yard plunge with 11.7 seconds to play for the 23-17 lead and to shut the door on the Raiders.
Emerald scored a safety and a touchdown to take an 9-0 lead in the second quarter, but Nehemias “Nemo” Fernandez broke a 94-yard touchdown run with 1:07 left in the first half to cut the Vikings’ lead to 9-7 at the half.
The Raiders (1-9, 1-4) took a 10-9 lead on Brock Franklin’s school record 52-yard field goal with 5:17 to go in the third quarter.
A Quinton Watts interception set up a 27-yard scoring drive that was capped by Damajia Crooks’ 22-yard touchdown catch from Logan Bragg that put the Raiders ahead 17-9 with 10:17 left in the game.
