By Robert Cole

For The Newberry Observer

Landen York breaks away for a touchdown.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_Landen-York-breaks-away-for-a-score.jpgLanden York breaks away for a touchdown. Robert Cole | For The Newberry Observer

Tyrese Taylor runs the ball for the Eagles.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_Tyrese-Taylor-runs-the-ball.jpgTyrese Taylor runs the ball for the Eagles. Robert Cole | For The Newberry Observer

BLACKVILLE — The Newberry Academy Eagles football team traveled to Blackville on Friday night to face the Jefferson Davis Academy Raiders in the season opener for both squads.

The Eagles came away with a huge 48-26 win and a boost of confidence in their first varsity game since 1998.

Newberry set the tone early as Landen York took the opening kickoff 42 yards, setting up a 27 yard touchdown run by quarterback Tyrese Taylor. The two-point conversion failed, making the score 6-0 with 11:40 remaining in the first quarter.

The Raiders responded with a nice drive of their own, scoring on a 33 yard run. Their two-point conversion also failed, tying the game at 6-6 with 9:49 remaining in the first. After trading punts, Newberry threatened to score after a 68 yard bomb from Taylor to York set the Eagles up at first and goal from the five.

The Eagles were unable to score, and turned the ball over on downs. York recovered a Raider fumble two plays later, setting up a nine yard run by Taylor for a touchdown. Newberry did not convert, but the score now stood at 12-6 as the first quarter expired.

On Newberry’s first possession of the second quarter, they drove 58 yards in five plays, as Taylor scored from 31 yards out. Another failed conversion left the score at 18-6 with 9:27 left in the second period. Jefferson Davis drove 51 yards and scored, keeping the game close at 18-12 with 8:06 remaining in the half.

Newberry dominated the remainder of the first half, scoring on a 32 yard pass from Taylor to York. The successful two-point play brought the score to 26-12. The Raiders turned the ball over on their next series, as Dillon Morris recovered a fumble for the Eagles. It only took two plays for the score to become 34-12, as Taylor scored on the ground from 13 yards out.

The Eagles would score twice in the second half, once on a 73-yard bomb from Taylor to York and again on a 73-yard run by Taylor. York finished with 72 return yards and 210 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Taylor shredded the Raiders for 195 yards on the ground, including five touchdowns, and was eight of 13 for 222 yards in the air.

Tabb French and Morris also hauled in passes from Taylor. York, Hunter Taylor, Michael Shaw and Jimmy Franklin were all credited with tackles for loss in the game.

The Eagles’ next game is Sept. 4 at King Academy in Batesburg-Leesville.