NEW LONDON — The West Rusk Raiders overcame an early 16-0 deficit, scoring 34 unanswered points and rolling to a 48-22 win over the Harmony Eagles on Friday at Bruce Bradshaw Stadium.
Harmony (0-3) built an 8-0 lead with 7:53 to play in the opening quarter on a 2-yard run by Isaac Edwards and a 2-point conversion by Sam Ross.
With 6:35 to play in the half, Edwards scored again from 1-yard out and tacked on the two-pointer, and the Eagles led 16-0 before the Raiders mounted their comeback.
Jimmy Harper scored on a 2-yard run with 5:26 to play in the second quarter, with a 52-yard run by Gavin Smith keeping the drive alive.
Then, with 33 seconds to play in the half, Jaylon Shelton tossed a 38-yard touchdown pass to Talon Winings — who set up the drive with an interception.
The Raiders took the lead in the third on a 1-yard run by Shelton to cap a 71-yard, 7-play drive, and added to the lead with a 29-yard run by Gavin Smith after Jacob Drive partially blocked a punt to set the Raiders up in good field position.
Winings later returned an interception 40 yards for a touchdown, and the Raiders led 34-16 with 5:50 left in the third period.
Harmony answered with a 20-yard touchdown pass from Gage Goddard to Jayden McAbee, but the Raiders put things away late.
West Rusk will visit Palestine Westwood, and Harmony visits Alba-Golden next Friday.