HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – After dropping a tough regional battle with Russellville last week, the Fairview Aggies hit the road Friday night to wrap up the regular season against Randolph. Fairview was able to move the ball on the ground most of the night but offensive penalties and explosive plays by the Raiders made it difficult for the Aggies to keep up and Randolph was able to pull away and win it 34-14.
On Fairview’s opening possession, Jameson Goble picked up a pair of first downs on the ground, but the drive was stalled when an Aggies pass fell incomplete on fourth down and turned the ball over to Randolph. The Raiders’ ensuing possession was also cut short when Kolt Redding intercepted a pass and ran it back to about the Randolph 35-yard line. However, an Aggies fumble gave the ball back to the Raiders just two plays later. Randolph took advantage of the turnover this time and drove down the field to score and make it a 7-0 game with three minutes left to play in the first quarter.
Goble continued to run the ball well on the next Fairview possession, but an interception gave the ball back to the Raiders with good field position. Two plays later, Randolph took a long touchdown pass into the end zone and stretched its lead to 14-0 early in the second quarter. The Aggies were able to keep the chains moving on their next drive on the legs of Carson Jones and Caiden Hall and facing fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line, Jones punched it into the end zone to get Fairview on the board. Following Kolt Redding’s extra point, the Aggies trailed 14-7 with just over two minutes to play in the second.
Unfortunately, the Raiders were able to strike back quickly and get another touchdown on the board just before halftime to take a 21-7 lead into the locker room at the break.
Randolph received the ball to start the third quarter but was forced to punt by the Fairview defense. Jones continued to run hard and gash the Raiders defense to move the chains, but penalties made it tough for the Aggies to get into a rhythm and they were forced to turn the ball over on downs. Randolph took advantage of the great field position and scored to extend its lead to 28-7 midway through the third. Fairview didn’t lay down, and the Aggie offensive line kept creating space for Jones to run through on the ensuing possession. A 15-yard completion from Hall to Zane Boyll moved the Aggies into the redzone and Jones ran in a 20-yard touchdown on the next snap to cut the lead to 28-14 at the start of the fourth quarter.
The Raiders responded with another great drive, capped off by a 9-yard touchdown run but the extra point was blocked by Bradley Smith to hold the lead to 34-14. Jake Harper picked up big gains on the ground for Fairview on its next possession, but the Aggies were stopped short on fourth down and Randolph regained possession midway through the fourth. Neither team was able to get on the scoreboard again the rest of the way and the Raiders were able to collect a 34-14 win over the Aggies.
Fairview finishes the regular season 7-3 and will be back home next week to host Guntersville in the opening round of the 5A State Playoffs.
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