Quantico overmatched by Southampton

If Friday night's game between Quantico and visiting Southampton had been just kickoffs, the Warriors probably would've rolled to an easy victory.

Quantico's Trey Blackson returned consecutive kickoffs, the first for 70 yards late in the third quarter and the second for 80 yards early in the fourth quarter.

The problem is each score only pulled Quantico to within 26 and 25 points.

Quantico (7-2) allowed Southampton to run for 521 yards, 169 by David Bogese, as the Warriors fell to the Raiders, 51-20.

"We knew exactly what to expect,"  said Quantico Coach John Hubert. "But we didn't expect them to be as physical across the line".

Southampton (8-1) scored on their first six drives of the game including all three in the first half to build a 45-12 lead five seconds into the fourth quarter.

The Raiders scored on seven of their eight possessions with the only punt coming on a three-and-out on their first possession of the fourth quarter with the score 45-20.

Southampton outrushed Quantico 521-156 and held the Warriors tandem backfield of Blackson and freshmen Denzel Brothers to a combined 142 yards rushing.

"They had the horses and we didn't match up with them physically," said Hubert."

The lone bright spot for Quantico, however, was Blackson.

Down 38-6, Blackson took the Southampton kickoff, broke two tackles on the right sideline and used a block at the 50-yard line to get into the end zone.

After Southampton answered that score, Blackson took the ensuing kickoff at the Quantico 20, ran all the way to the left side of the field and out ran the rest of the Raiders' kicking team for his second score.

"When I touched the ball I figured I needed to score," said Blackson, who also completed all three of his pass attempts. "I had it in my mind that I was going to score and that's what I did."

Blackson spoke about he and his teammates ability to keep fighting despite the large deficit.

"We played hard through the whole game," said Blackson. "We do everything together as a team.We just depend on each other."

Quantico was in the game early in the first half after a Chris King touchdown.

After the Raiders scored on their first possession to take an 8-0 lead, the Warriors responded with a 17 play 75 yard drive that culminated with a 1-yard sneak by King to pull the Warriors to within 2.

Quantico converted three of four third-down conversions on the drive including a fourth-and-1 from the Southampton 28.

However, Southampton responded with a seven play, 73 yard drive of their own, and followed that with another seven play drive, this one 68 yards that ended with a 16-yard touchdown pass from Wesley Barnes to Will Edwards to give Southampton a commanding 24-6 lead.

Despite the tough loss, Hubert was not discouraged with his team's effort, nor their chances of qualifying for the playoffs.

"Before the game the coaching staff talked about not quitting no matter what the score was," said Hubert. "There's a difference between being a loser and someone who's losing and the difference is that person keeps trying no matter what."