Finding Nemo: Raiders’ Fernandez has career night in loss
LDHS RB Nehemias “Nemo” Fernandez (23) had a career-best 217 rushing yards and a touchdown in Friday night’s 20-17 loss to A.C. Flora in Columbia. (File photo by John Clayton)
A.C. Flora overcame three first-half turnovers and gritty Laurens performance to escape with a 20-17 victory over the Raiders Friday night at Memorial Stadium in Columbia.
For the second straight week, LDHS (0-4) was playing without a true quarterback due to injuries at the position, running a wildcat offense featuring running backs Nehemias “Nemo” Fernandez, Denari Lee-Jackson and others taking direct snaps from center.
Fernandez led the Raiders’ one-dimensional ground attack with a career-high 217 yards rushing on 26 carries, including a 49-yard third-quarter touchdown run that pulled LDHS to within 13-10 of the Falcons (3-1).
A.C. Flora running back Brandon Mack nearly matched Fernandez yard-for-yard, gaining 207 yards on 37 carries with a touchdown.
Denari Lee-Jackson added a 1-yard touchdown run for the Raiders, which was set up by another long run by Fernandez in the fourth quarter. Jackson’s score cut the Falcons’ lead to 20-17.
LDHS forced a Flora punt with less than four minutes left in the game, but were unable to get into field-goal range for kicker Brock Franklin, who a connected on a 35-yard field goal in the second quarter.
The Falcons led 10-3 at halftime.
“The goal is to learn these lessons each week,” said first-year LDHS head coach Greg Porter. “We’ve still got the season in front of us, and we’re getting ready for (region play).”
The Raiders have a bye week next Friday (Sept. 20), and will host Lexington on Sept. 27. LDHS is to begin Region 1-4A competition the next week (Oct. 4) at home against Fountain Inn.
