Bonne Terre, Mo. (KFMO) - Quarterback Braydee McClure rushed for two touchdowns as the North County Raiders earned a Week 1 win over Farmington, 24-17.
The Raiders, looking to avenge last season's season opening loss to the Knights, took an early lead with two first quarter touchdowns. McClure, a sophomore quarterback who is the fourth starter for the team in four seasons, used a beautiful fake to buy himself all sorts of room for a 41-yard touchdown run. Later in the quarter, Noah Lashley pushed his way in from 2 yards out to make it 14-0.
However, the Knights would do all the scoring in the second, and they'd do it through the air. Senior quarterback Brett Drye hit his favorite target, Jack Embry, twice, once from 11 yards and once from 7 yards to tie it up just before the half, 14-14.
The last touchdown of the game came in the third, and again it was McClure who'd hit paydirt, scampering in from 3 yards out to make it 21-14. The two teams would trade field goals from there, Farmington's Ian Zohner from 28 and North County's Cole Mullins from 23, to make it 24-17.
Farmington would have the final chance of the game, but they'd be stopped just outside the North County redzone, the Raiders forcing a turnover on downs to get the ball back and seal the win.
North County starts its season 1-0. Farmington falls to 0-1. The Raiders host again next week, they'll host Illinois high school Glenwood. Farmington heads back home to host St. Clair.
