Falcons run by Raiders
Story and photos by Michael Orr

A.C. Flora's Eric Sephes returns a punt while Keenan's Keith Winston pursues.

A.C. Flora changed quarterbacks and offensive philosophy after a dreadful first half to overcome a resilient Keenan Raiders team, 21- 6 September 7. Second half runs by Otis Praylow and Carlos McCoy out of the double- wing formation powered the Falcons to their second consecutive victory.

Keenan 6

A.C. Flora 21

Keenan fumbled on the game's first play from scrimmage, giving A.C. Flora terrific field position to open the game. Indicative of the first half, however, the Falcons were stuffed, this time by Raiders linebacker Benjamin Barber, and settled for a field goal attempt which was off the mark. Keenan, on the other hand, ran their offense very successfully in the early going. Runs by Arthur Goforth and scrambles by Antonio Perry helped the Raiders move the ball downfield. But penalties and gaffs in special teams kept the game scoreless through most of the quarter.

The Raiders took advantage of their passing game late in the quarter as Perry completed several passes, the most noteworthy of which was a 34- yard catch and run by wide out Greg Brown. With the Falcon defense on its heels, Coach Demond Logan called Charles Brice's number to the left side resulting in the game's first score with 3:15 left in the first. Missing the extra point wide left gave the Raiders a 6- 0 lead.

A.C. Flora's Carlos McCoy and Miles Fisher tackle Keenan's Charles Brice while Kei- won Brown closes in.

A.C. Flora was again unable to capitalize late in the quarter after a tremendous kickoff return by Chori Evans to the Raiders' 17- yard line. Terrance Kelly and Christopher Jackson led the Keenan defense to another tough stop forcing another missed field goal by the Falcons.

A three- and- out on the Falcons' first second half possession forced Coach Robin Bacon's hand, and he made the switch to backup quarterback Chase Mitchum and the double- wing offense. Starting on his own 1- yard line after great punt coverage by the Raiders, Mitchum led A.C. Flora out of the depths of their own territory. Misdirection running by Praylow and McCoy inched the Falcons away from the goal line and toward mid-field. A Praylow 44- yard burst to the right side set A.C. Flora on the Raiders' 1- yard line. One play later, Terry Cherry scored the Falcons' first touchdown. The extra point gave A.C. Flora a one point lead at 7- 6 with 1:51 remaining in the third.

After mild success running the ball out of the spread in the first half the Raiders were slowed to a halt by an increasingly determined Falcon defense. Keenan punted on every second half possession, allowing A.C. Flora's offense to stay on the field.

In the fourth quarter, Carlos McCoy took control of the Falcon running attack, moving at will through the Raider defense. Having scampered to the Keenan 1- yard line, McCoy finished a Falcon drive with a short plunge into the end zone with 7:49 left in the game. While the extra point was blocked and the score stayed at 13- 6, A.C. Flora had emerged as the superior team in the second half.

Following another Keenan punt, Praylow, McCoy and Kei- won Brown made sure the Falcons did not give the Raider defense any breaks by pounding away on short runs. A 28- yard explosion by McCoy landed the Falcons again inside the Raider 10- yard line and the drive was finished off by Cherry's second strong touchdown run of the night. Desmond, back in the game as the holder, completed an uncontested pass to Adger Rice for a two- point conversion and a 21- 6 lead with 3:06 to play.

Keenan punted once again, and an Otis Praylow 34- yard run gave the Falcons one more crack at the end zone with just a minute to play, but Coach Bacon ordered Mitchum to take a knee. After two kneel downs the Falcons celebrated their second straight win.

A.C. Flora will ride its back- to- back wins into Chester for a tough road game against the Cyclones September 14 while Keenan will try to rebound at Batesburg- - Leesville.