The Lamar Raiders celebrated Homecoming in a big way with an impressive 35-0 win over the Heritage Academy Patriots on Friday night at Grey Cobb Field. The Raiders improved to 4-1 for the season and will have a tough task next week as Lamar travels to Jackson to tangle with Jackson Academy.
“It feels great to win four in a row and we threw the football well tonight,” Lamar head coach Mac Barnes said. “It is always nice to win on homecoming and we will have a big game next week against Jackson Academy that will be a big point in the season.”
The Raiders got a big game from junior quarterback Andrew Watkins — who threw for 395 yards and five touchdown passes. Senior John L. McRae led all recievers with a season-high nine catches for 211 yards and a pair of touchdowns to pace the Lamar offense.
“We were able to spread the ball very well tonight and opened up the passing game,” Barnes said. “(Watkins) threw the ball well tonight and I was pleased by the overall team effort.
The Raiders cracked the scoreboard early in the first quarter to take a 7-0 lead over Heritage. Watkins connected with tight end Zirk Ray on a 10-yard touchdown to give Lamar the quick lead and Logan Rush added the extra point with 9:16 left in the first quarter.
Lamar extended its lead with 10:48 left in the second quarter as Watkins found McRae on a 25-yard touchdown pass to make the score 14-0 after a successful extra point by Rush.
The Raiders added one final touchdown in the first half as Watkins connected with Pate Powell on a 45-yard pass to make the score 21-0 at halftime.
Lamar continued to pour on the offense in the second half as Watkins threw for another touchdown. Powell pulled in a 41-yard scoring pass to make the score 28-0 with 5:56 left in the third quarter.
Watkins added one more score in third quarter as McRae caught a touchdown pass for a 34-yard gain for the score to make the final tally 35-0.
Chris Williams added 83 yards on the ground for Lamar on 16 carries and Powell had a big night with six catches for 115 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Taylor Allen and Jon McCormick led the defense with seven tackles apiece.
Sports
Related Photos
-
Kyle Carter
Discussion
Raiders win fourth straight
- Sports
-
-
Crusaders use experience, speed to topple Tornadoes
Philadelphia and Sacred Heart both entered Friday's Class 1A/2A/3A soccer state championship game looking for their first state crown.
The Crusaders, though, had finished as runners-up the previous two seasons, and used that experience and their speed to their advantage as they scored three first half goals in route to a 3-1 win. -
Roundup — West girls rally past Louisville
The West Lauderdale girls basketball team overcame an early deficit to top visiting Louisville 60-56 to close out the regular season Friday.
-
Dreams Dashed
A real life David vs. Goliath meeting took place in the Class 1A/2A/3A girls state championship soccer game Friday afternoon at Clinton High School's Arrow Field.
Having never advanced farther than the second round of the MSHSAA soccer playoffs, Clarkdale entered looking to shock the state and win its first state title. In th way stood Our Lady Academy, a nine-time state champion from Bay St. Louis.
The Crescents blanked the Bulldogs 5-0 for their third straight title and 10th since 2000. -
CC girls hold off Southeast, garner top 5-3A seed
Basketball is a game of runs and it was on full display Friday night as Choctaw Central staved off multiple Southeast Lauderdale rallies to knock off its rival 63-49 in Vimville. Southeast rallied back from double-digit deficits three times in what could be a preview of the Division 5-3A championship game.
-
Roundup — RCA tops Clarkdale on milestone night
The Russell Christian Academy boys basketball team had a night of milestones Thursday at Clarkdale, topping the Bulldogs 62-47.
-
Philadelphia boys excited about opportunity against power Sacred Heart
For the first time in school history, the Philadelphia boys soccer team is playing for a state championship.
And the excitement level over that can be seen by looking at Tornadoes coach Adam Huddleston’s call log. -
Eyeing more history
There is no magic formula that has led to the Clarkdale girls soccer team’s unprecedented run through the MHSAA Class 1A/2A/3A North State playoffs.
Rather, the Bulldogs have used the bonding and communication that has been developed through years of playing together to reach today’s state championship game against two-time defending champion Our Lady Academy at Clinton High School at 4 p.m. -
EMCC men rally to 11th straight win
Outscoring the visitors 48-26 in the second half, the Lions of East Mississippi Community College extended their winning streak to 11 consecutive games with an 81-63 victory against Holmes on Thursday night in MACJC North Division basketball action at Keyes T. Currie Coliseum.
-
Moving On
Meridian High School coach Larry Weems said one of the many pleasures of working with young men through the Wildcat football program is seeing them grow and then have the opportunity to continue on with their education and career on the gridiron.
- Six area standouts ink on National Signing Day
- More Sports Headlines
-
Killer of Fla. Girl Found in Landfill Gets Life
Army Orders Bradley Manning Court-martial
Cancer Charity Revives Breast-screening Grants
Heavy Snowstorm Hits Colorado On Its Way East
2nd Teacher From LA School Arrested on Sex Claim
Prosecutors Close Armstrong Inquiry, No Charges
Sights and Sounds: Football Fans Pour Into Indy
Unemployment Rate Down to 8.3%
Obama: Still Far Too Many Americans Need Jobs
GOP: Jobs Numbers Welcome, Can Do Better
Fla. Man Adopts Girlfriend in Legal Battle
More Deaths As Egypt Clashes Continue
Raw Video: Prince William in Falklands
Egpyt Protesters Blame Police for Soccer Deaths
'Lucky' 9-Year-Old Receives 6-Organ Transplant
Raw Video: Michelle Vs. Ellen in Pushup Contest
First Person: Will Peyton Manning Stay in Indy?
Egypt Shaken After Deadly Soccer Riot
New Suits, New Starts for New York's Unemployed
Hall of Famer Dorsett Speaks Out on NFL Injuries
