Eagles prepare for regular season finale

Three weeks ago, after a big region win versus Florence Christian, Pee Dee Academy football team’s record stood at 3-3.

After this past Friday’s debacle at Dorchester, that record is now 3-6 and hopes of a region title are all but dashed. The culprits of untimely turnovers and penalties stifled the Golden Eagles in a 38-6 loss to the Raiders.

Dorchester took the opening kick-off and slowly and methodically drove down the field. A drive of over five minutes ended with Nick McAlhaney running the quarterback keeper in for six points. At the 6:57 mark of the first quarter, the Raiders had a 7-0 lead after Jamie Collins’ PAT.

The Golden Eagles showed life once they gained possession and began their own drive into enemy territory. A run by Matthew Snipes of 12 yards on the first play was followed by a Kevin Driggers run of nine. Storm Page would run for nine yards on the keeper and Pee Dee found themselves at the Dorchester 44.

But, penalties knocked them back and the Golden Eagles were forced to punt.

On the first play of the Raiders next drive, McAlhaney found Collins over the middle for 88 yards and a score to make it 14-0.

Again, Pee Dee took the kickoff and again they made a play to put themselves deep in Raider territory. Snipes took the kick and was not brought down until he had returned it 69 yards to the Dorchester 22.

But, on the first play, a pass attempt to the left sideline was picked off, thwarting yet another Golden Eagle threat.

Pee Dee would get the ball back again after holding the Raiders. Again, they would drive deep and again they would come up empty.

This time, runs by Brian Davis totaling 17 yards had them to the Dorchester 24. But, penalties reared their ugly head yet again, pushing Pee Dee back to midfield.

After a punt, McAlhaney would hit his receiver, Brandon Bair, with a 48 yard touchdown strike to make it 21-0. And, they would get one more to make it 28-0 at the half, all but putting the game away.

A sweet 62 yard run by Page in the third where he weaved through traffic and down the right sideline gave Pee Dee it’s first and only points of the game.

The defense would show some pride and heart in the second half, holding Dorchester to one score and a field goal.

But, it was not near enough as Pee Dee dropped to 2-2 in region play for the season.

Page was the leading rusher with 83 yards total.

Cole McClam led the defense with 13 tackles and Will Richardson also registered double-digit tackles with 11.

This week, the Golden Eagles will finish regular season play as the play host to conference foe, Robert E. Lee. Kick-off is set for 7:30 p.m. Playoff qualification and seeding will be determined after this week’s games.