Pee Dee takes on old rival

This past Friday night, for the second straight week, the Pee Dee Academy football team took on an old rival in a non-conference battle.

For the second straight week, they found themselves unable to mount a rally at the end and came up on the short end of a game they were favored to win. Turnovers and fundamental mistakes were the enemy for the Golden Eagles in a 26-18 loss at Carolina Academy.

Two possessions into the game, Pee Dee seemed to have some of their swagger back. They would take over at their own 25 yardline. A run by Kevin Driggers for ten yards and a run by Brian Davis of three had Pee Dee at the 37. Then, on the fourth play of the drive, Storm Page kept the ball himself and beat his man to the left side. One move and a cut back inside and Page had reservations for six and a 6-0 lead for the visitors at the end of one quarter.

The Golden Eagles would get the ball back again with a chance to grow the lead. However, the first turnover of the night would give the ball back to the Bobcats. Despite the defense doing it’s job and holding Carolina to fourth down, they would end up paying for the turnover. Will McCutcheon found his receiver, Trey Nettles, with an 18-yard pass to the left corner of the end zone for the score. The successful two-pointer gave the Bobcats the lead at 8-6.

It would remain that way through the first half and into the second. That, however, is when the scoreboard pinball game got started.

Pee Dee took the ball first and scored on a 12-yard keeper by Page on fourth down. With this, they re-took the lead at 12-8.

The lead lasted only mere seconds as Carolina returned the kick-off 80 yards for a score to re-take the lead at 14-12.

The Golden Eagles would get the ball back, but they would fumble on the first play with the Bobcats recovering. Three plays later, they would score again to go up 20-12.

Pee Dee showed character by answering quickly. Forced into a third and long, Will Daniels’ pass was tipped and caught by Kevin Driggers, who would take it 61 yards to the rectangular box at the end of the field. The touchdown cut the deficit to 20-18 headed into the fourth.

And, for all of the fireworks the third quarter offered, the fourth totally fizzled them out.

Carolina was left with a short field after an errant snap and McCutcheon made the Golden Eagles pay one more time. He would hit Nettles with a 35 yard scoring strike to make score the 26-18 final.

Possession would change hands four more times, with neither squad able to mount an offensive threat. After Pee Dee’s final failed attempt, time ran out.

The loss drops the Golden Eagles to 3-5 on the season. But, they remain 2-1 in region play and still have a chance to clinch a share of the region crown and a playoff berth.

Page led the offensive effort with 121 yards rushing and two scores.

Will Daniels would throw for 100 yards even and a touchdown while Driggers finished with 110 yards receiving and the score.

Cole McClam led the defensive effort with 12 tackles.

This Friday night, Pee Dee faces a big conference showdown as they travel to Dorchester. Kick-off is set for 7:30 p.m.