After dropping their season opener, the Raiders have been on a tear, as over the past two weeks, Lamar School has outscored opponents 67-12 to round its record to 2-1 on the season. Last week against Heritage Academy, Lamar School rattled off a 26-6 road victory in Columbus.

The win wasn’t without a cost, however, as the Raiders lost a couple of players to injury.

“Luke Thomas is out for the year with a knee (injury), and Eric Hessler is our six week with a fractured ankle,” Lamar School head coach Mac Barnes said. “It was a physical game — we’ve have several guys not practice this week. It’s a football thing with me, but (Thomas and Hessler) worked hard all year, and to not get to play, you feel bad for them. We’ll move on as a team, but we’ll miss those two guys.”

Lamar School hosts Simpson Academy Friday, which is also coming off a win. No matter the year, Barnes said he always expects the get the Cougars’ best effort.

“Even though they’re a different classification than us, it’s become a real rivalry, and we lost games the last few years in the fourth quarter, and they just seem to play well against us and make plays at the right time. They’re just known for tough, physical football, and they play well every year. They’re a state championship contender every year in 3A. It’s a game we look forward to every year. Even though it’s not a division game, it’s an important game for us.

Barnes’ three keys to the game:

• Stop their running game

• Be efficient on offense

• Stay healthy  

Russell Christian Academy

Nate Ballard’s Warriors grabbed their first win of the season last Friday, defeating Unity Christian Academy 45-8 in Leland as part of an offensive explosion that saw Logan Sayers score two rushing touchdowns on four carries to go along with 124 yards. Caleb Tanner tallied three ground scores, and the Warriors as a team rush for 177 yards. 

Cameron Morris snagged his first career interception, as well, and Alex Dubose registered eight tackles, while Tavis Brown collected six and also blocked a punt. 

Ballard hopes to carry the momentum from last week into Friday’s game against Ezekiel Academy out of Montgomery, Ala., and said the win would hopefully go a long way for his players.

“It’s huge,” Ballard said of last Friday’s victory. “It’s always big to get the first win; it’s definitely a confidence-builder. We think we can build off of it and hopeuflly get the season going in the right direction.”

Ezekiel Academy will feature a well-coached, well-disciplined team with a productive senior quarterback and two speeding tailbacks. Ballard’s three keys to the game:

• Carry out assignments on defense

• Make blocks and execute offensively

• Be ready to play mentally

Newton County Academy

After defeating Oak Hill Academy 34-7 in Week 1, Newton County Academy dropped a 28-25 contest last week to Tri-County Academy.

Quarterback Braden Smith passed for 251 yards and one touchdown while running back Dawson Blackledge rushed for 113 yards and a ground score. Bailey McDill led the Generals with 80 receiving yards on four receptions.

Newton County Academy head coach Robert Roberts and the Generals look to bounce back Friday evening as they travels to Sebastopol High School (1-1).

Roberts three keys to victory:

• Don’t give up the long ball on defense

• Control the line of scrimmage

• Prevent turnovers on offense