SCOTTSBORO, Ala. – Good Hope returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown, but No. 2 Scottsboro answered with 35 consecutive points to defeat the Raiders 49-14 in their regular-season finale Friday, Oct. 30.
The loss left Good Hope third in Class 4A, Region 8 at 6-2 and 7-3 overall, sending the Raiders on the road for the opening round of the playoffs.
Scottsboro completed a 10-0 regular season and won the region championship with an 8-0 record.
Parker Johnson gave Good Hope an immediate lead, returning the opening kickoff 78 yards for a touchdown just 10 seconds into the game.
The Raiders led 7-0, but Scottsboro responded with a drive that ended on a 5-yard touchdown pass on fourth down to tie the score.
Good Hope’s first offensive possession ended with an interception, and the Wildcats scored on a 44-yard touchdown pass on the next play to take a 14-7 lead in the first quarter.
Penalties stalled the Raiders’ next possession, forcing a punt. Scottsboro followed with a 2-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter to extend its lead to 21-7.
The Wildcats then recovered a Good Hope fumble on the ensuing kickoff and scored on an 8-yard run two plays later, making it 28-7.
After another Raider punt, Scottsboro added a 27-yard touchdown pass to push the margin to 35-7.
Good Hope answered with its only offensive touchdown drive of the night.
Johnson connected with Ayden Young for gains of 20 and 24 yards, and an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against Scottsboro helped move the Raiders closer to the end zone.
Web Buchanan completed a 9-yard pass to Karson Hollis, and Johnson kept the possession alive with a 3-yard completion on fourth down.
Johnson then found Young for a 5-yard touchdown, cutting the deficit to 35-14.
Scottsboro responded with a 13-yard touchdown pass before halftime to take a 42-14 lead into the break.
The second half was played with a running clock.
Neither team scored in the third quarter, and the Wildcats added the game’s final touchdown on a 48-yard interception return in the fourth.
Johnson completed 4 of 6 passes for 52 yards and a touchdown. Young caught three passes for 49 yards and a score.
Good Hope will open the Class 4A playoffs on the road Friday, Nov. 6.
