Fayetteville’s third-quarter surge sinks Raiders

Tigers score 28 unanswered second-half points to beat Moore County after the Raiders carried a 7-6 lead into halftime

9:50 p.m. Oct. 16, 2026

DUANE CROSS
MCO Publisher•Editor

Moore County went to halftime with a one-point lead. Less than five minutes into the third quarter, the Raiders trailed by 13.

Fayetteville scored two touchdowns in 16 seconds, recovering an onside kick between them to take control of a tight Region 5-1A game and pull away for a 34–7 victory Friday, Oct. 16.

The loss was Moore County’s seventh straight, dropping the Raiders to 1-7 overall and 0-3 in region play. Fayetteville improved to 2-5 and 2-1.

Kinyun Ford scored three rushing touchdowns and topped 250 yards on the ground. He also intercepted a fourth-quarter pass at the goal line, ending a Moore County possession that offered a chance to cut into Fayetteville’s 28-7 lead.

The Raiders had gone ahead just before halftime when Austin Scherff found Jose Garcia for a 15-yard touchdown with 12 seconds remaining. Jax Ross’ extra point made it 7–6.

Moore County would not score again.

Sixteen seconds change the game

The Raiders opened the second half near midfield and leaned on Tucker Smith to move into Fayetteville territory. But on fourth-and-4 from the Tigers’ 34, Smith picked up 3 yards, leaving Moore County a yard short.

Fayetteville needed four plays to cover the remaining 69 yards.

Ford carried twice before quarterback Nyles Barnett broke loose for 50 yards to the Moore County 2. Ford finished the drive, then added the 2-point conversion for a 14-7 lead with 7:24 left in the third quarter.

The Tigers recovered the ensuing onside kick at the Raiders’ 49. On the next snap, Ford went the distance.

The conversion failed, but Fayetteville led 20-7 with 7:08 remaining.

Moore County’s next possession unraveled under penalties. After reaching the Fayetteville 40, the Raiders were pushed backward by an illegal block, intentional grounding, and a personal foul. They eventually faced third-and-52 from their own 18 before punting.

The Tigers struck again. Z’khiyan Brown raced 59 yards to the Moore County 1, and Barnett scored on the next play. His conversion pass to Brown stretched the lead to 28-7 with 3:56 left in the quarter.

Raiders find a first-half answer

Ford opened the scoring with a 16-yard run midway through the first quarter. His 48-yard burst earlier in the drive ended with a touchdown-saving tackle by Smith.

Smith prevented another touchdown during Fayetteville’s next sustained threat, bringing Ford down at the Moore County 16. The Tigers later reached the 6, but a snap over Barnett’s head cost them 21 yards. Three incompletions followed, and the Raiders took over on downs.

Moore County’s defense created another opportunity late in the half, forcing Fayetteville to punt from deep in its own territory.

The Raiders took possession at the Tigers’ 32 with 1:16 remaining. Smith gained 6 yards, but an incompletion and a keeper for no gain left Moore County facing fourth-and-4.

Scherff connected with Paxson Embrey for a first down, then hit Garcia for the touchdown that put the Raiders ahead.

Chances come up empty

Moore County put together two lengthy possessions in the fourth quarter without reaching the end zone.

An 18-yard completion to Embrey and a first-down scramble by Scherff helped the Raiders move into scoring range on the first. Later, Scherff found Aidan Moore for 7 yards to the Fayetteville 5, setting up fourth-and-3.

Ford intercepted the next pass at the goal line.

On the ensuing possession, Ford broke another long run before Barnett connected with Jaelin Weddington for a 44-yard touchdown. The extra point missed, leaving Fayetteville ahead 34-7 with 6:28 remaining.

The Raiders drove inside the Tigers’ 10 once more. Scherff completed two passes to Kason Ferrera along the way and later found Drew Hardison at the 4.

A sack pushed Moore County back to the 14, and a fourth-down incompletion ended the possession with 35 seconds left. The Raiders had reached Fayetteville’s 5 and 4 on their final two possessions and come away without points.

The Raiders play host to Cornersville on Friday, Oct. 23. The Senior Night kickoff is at 7 p.m.