JDA Raiders cage the Lions 54-0

The Jefferson Davis Academy Raiders traveled to Florence, South Carolina for what looked like a good matchup between the 3-1 Raiders and the 2-1 Lions from The King’s Academy. Well, it looked like a good matchup on paper and as the old saying goes, “You don’t play the games on paper.” This turned out to be a very one-sided game with JDA dominating the entire contest, easily winning 54-0.

The Raiders dominated in just about every offensive and defensive category against the Lions. The long travel for the Raiders seemed to have very little effect on JDA. The Jefferson Davis offense was led by several familiar names. Carson Loadholt has been a scoring machine for the Raiders. That would not change as he accounted for three Raider touchdowns. Nas Void and James Grubbs both contribute to the Raiders’ offense on a regular basis, and each added two touchdowns Friday night. But this was definitely a team effort on both sides of the ball.

JDA's Colton Loadholt scores one of his three touchdowns against the Lions.

JDA head coach Anthony Reitenour was asked about his team’s lopsided win and said, “The boys really showed up strong Friday night. From the first snap the intensity and aggressiveness they played with was at a season high. This is exactly what we have been promoting each week in practice. We jumped out quickly and gained a 52-0 lead at the half with Colson Loadholt scoring two touchdowns on the ground and throwing another to Reece Still. James Grubbs and Nas Void both rushed for over 100 yards and two touchdowns each in only a half of play. The third and fourth quarters were left to the second and third string players who also were able to get some good productivity against a solid King’s Academy team. Defensively, we had a strong night, I'm not sure that at the end of it all if The King’s Academy finished with positive yardage on the night. Colson led the way with 13 tackles and an interception and Payton Payne shut down the middle all night. Landon Williams finished with 6 tackles and a blocked punt while Nolan Craig added 6 tackles. Nas Void and Tanner Williams added 5 tackles each.”

This week will be a matchup of Raiders as the JDA Raiders host the Holly Hill Raiders on Friday, September 20.

“Next week’s game on paper and historically does look like a great matchup. But I honestly believe if JDA comes out and plays to our ability, there isn't a chance anyone on our side of the state, can last four quarters with us. We had our early season mishap, which we have progressed from each week. Now it's time for us to make a statement in the league. There is always a mental stigma when we line up with Holly Hill. They've won a lot of games in the last few years, are a great team, and are coached very well. But I've never seen our guys more fired up and ready. We need that energy to continue this week in practice leading into Friday night. We beat them when it mattered last year and if we come out playing to our ability, I feel we will make a statement win for the rest of the league on Friday night,” said Reitenour.

This was the only time the game was close, as JDA scored 52 unanswered first half points against The King's Academy.

The battle of the Raiders should be a great game. The Holly Hill Raiders and the Jefferson Davis Academy Raiders have each won games against the other. As Coach Reitenour mentioned, the Raiders from JDA defeated the Raiders from Holly Hill Academy when it counted the most last season, in the State Championship game. JDA came away with the 20-14 win and the SCISA 8-Man State Championship.

Come on out to JDA this Friday for the rematch of the 2023 State Championship as your JDA Raiders host the Raiders from Holly Hill Academy. Kickoff is set for 7:30. You don’t want to miss this one! Go JDA!