AMERICUS – The Southland Academy Raiders hosted Trinity Christian of Dublin, GA in a scrimmage game so that both teams could work out any kinks before the real regular season begins next week.

Actually, it really wasn’t a game at all, but more of a practice between the two teams. The teams played four quarters, but each quarter consisted of offensive and defensive plays run by each team. Once each team ran 60 plays from the line of scrimmage (offensive and defensive plays), that ended a quarter. The upper classmen played in the first two quarters. Then the younger players played the third and fourth quarters.

Southland got the ball first. Running Back Clay Owens ran the ball 40 yards for a touchdown on the Raiders’ first play from scrimmage. On their next play, quarterback Landon Law threw a 40-yard touchdown pass to his brother, Luke Law.

During Trinity Christian’s offensive plays, running back Jake Walker scored from ten yards out.

After both varsity teams played their offensive and defensive plays, the junior varsity players of both teams ran some offensive and defensive plays. Players on both teams excelled and played with fire and tenacity, as if it were a real game. There was no score kept. The purpose for both Southland and Trinity Christian was to practice the fundamentals of football against each other.

After the teams ran their offensive and defensive plays, both teams worked on kickoffs.

After both teams kicked off to each other, both teams went back to running offensive and defensive plays. Southland got the ball first on offense. Clay Owens scored another touchdown. He ran about 30 yards from scrimmage. On Southland’s next offensive possession, Owens scored again on a 40-yard pass from Landon Law. Running Back Hunter McCain scored from 20 yards out for Southland. On almost every offensive possession the Raiders had, they were able to score a touchdown.

On defense, the Raiders excelled as well. Linebacker James Griffin broke through the TCA offensive line and sacked their quarterback. At one point, both teams worked on punting and punt returning.

After both teams finished working on punting, they went back to running offensive and defensive plays. Freshman Caleb Law, Landon Law’s brother, played at quarterback and ran the ball down to the TCA seven-yard line. Law then scored on a quarterback keeper.

After both teams finished running their offensive and defensive plays, both teams worked on kicking extra points.

Once the teams were done kicking extra points, that concluded the proceedings.

“We played a lot of players. The only way players are going to get better is to get a lot of reps,” Southland Head Coach Rod Murray said. “We’ve got a lot of things to fix, but tonight’s scrimmage really helped both us and Trinity Christian as well.”

The Raiders will strap it on for real next Friday night, August 24, when they host Southwest Georgia Academy in their season opener. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m.