The Pine Raiders suffered their second defeat of the season last Thursday, dropping a district game to Amite, 33-13.
The game started off badly for the Raiders as Amite scored twice in the first quarter to take a 13-0 lead.
But Pine came back late in the first to score, with Thomas Benard crossing the goal line for Pine. The PAT was good, and the Raiders were within 13-7.
However, in the 2nd quarter Amite scored a touchdown on a demoralizing 88-yard punt return to push their lead to 20-7, and that score stood for the remainder of the 2nd quarter.
Down 20-7 going into the 2nd half, Pine kept pushing, and the Raiders scored late in the quarter to pull within 6 at 20-14.
However, Amite scored two unanswered touchdowns in the 4th quarter, leading to the final 33-14 score.
Pine Coach Bradley Seal commented, "As a team I do not feel like we gave our best effort. And when you play a team like Amite you better play your best or you will not have a chance to win. Next week will be another challenge so we better be ready."
With the loss, Pine’s season record moves to 6-2.
The Raiders will face off against Jewel-Sumner this Friday night. Sumner easily defeated Bogalusa last week, 50-0, and they are expected to offer a stiff test for Pine.
After the Sumner game, Pine will finish the regular season against Bogalusa and then Springfield, and then the playoffs begin.
Despite the loss to Amite, Pine remains in a good position in the playoffs, but wins against Sumner, Bogalusa, and then Springfield would help Pine’s seeding for the playoffs.
