Battle Creek pulls away from Raiders, 28-7

9:46 p.m. Sept. 12, 2025 • Updated: 2:47 p.m. Sept. 14

Battle Creek pulls away from Raiders, 28-7

DUANE CROSS
MCO Publisher•Editor

For a while on Friday night, Moore County looked ready to trade punches with Battle Creek. However, a costly turnover before halftime and missed red-zone chances after the break allowed the Grizzlies to take control in a 28–7 victory in Spring Hill.

The Raiders (1-3) opened with momentum after Cole Taylor’s 22-yard return set them up at midfield. Chris Merical powered the ground game with several early carries, but a second-and-short pass was intercepted, halting the drive. Battle Creek responded with a methodical march before Moore County’s defense stood tall on fourth down.

Quarterback Isaac Petty and his receivers then strung together completions, highlighted by a juggling catch from Tristyn Gray, but the Raiders turned it over on downs at the Grizzlies’ 39-yard line early in the second quarter.

Battle Creek (1-3) struck first with 8:59 left in the half when Colten Barba hit Stanley Williams Jr. for a 46-yard touchdown. Moore County answered quickly: Petty found Taylor on the sideline for a 22-yard score, and Jax Ross added the extra point to tie the game at 7-7 with 5:12 before halftime.

Momentum shifted dramatically just before the break. After a promising drive into Battle Creek territory, Petty was intercepted. Two plays later, Barba connected with Williams Jr. again – this time on a 95-yard touchdown with 37 seconds on the clock. Instead of heading into the locker room tied, Moore County trailed 14-7.

The Raiders’ defense provided a spark to start the second half when Gray picked off Barba, but the offense gave the ball right back with an interception of its own. Battle Creek capitalized behind J’shean Brown’s tough running, punching in a 12-yard score to extend the lead to 21–7.

Moore County’s best chance came late in the third quarter, reaching the Grizzlies’ 4-yard line. But a bobbled snap on third down and an incomplete pass on fourth ended the drive. From there, Battle Creek leaned on its ground game and defense. Williams Jr. sealed the win with a 50-yard pick-six in the final minutes, capping his three-touchdown night.

Merical provided a bright spot for the Raiders' offense, grinding out 10 carries for 49 yards. Petty showed flashes both on the ground and through the air, but was hampered by four interceptions. He finished 8-for-16 for 134 yards and one TD, plus 14 rushes for 81 yards. Taylor had three catches for 88 yards.

Defensively, Kohlby Williams had eight tackles, including 3.5 for a loss, and two sacks. Tucker Smith added six stops – 2.5 for a loss – and Gray had six tackles, forced a fumble, broke up one pass attempt, and had an interception.

It was Battle Creek’s first win in program history, dating to the 2024 season.

Moore County will open Region 5A play against visiting Huntland at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19, at Doug Price Field.

Updated with official game stats at 2:47 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14.