Two late scores pushes Southeast past LaFayette

LAFAYETTE — With the possibility of a third straight loss and another below-.500 record, Southeast Whitfield High School’s football team decided “3-2” and “1-0” look a lot nicer.

The Raiders boast those records — overall and in subregion play — after rallying from down double digits in the second half Friday at LaFayette’s Jack King Stadium and winning 31-17 against their subregion foes.

LaFayette (0-5, 0-1) took a 14-3 lead after quarterback Lance Estus’ 14-yard touchdown pass to Clayton Underwood with 9:13 remaining in the third quarter.

The drive started the second half, and Southeast coach Sean Gray said it took that long for the Raiders to overcome the new feeling of being expected to win even by those outside the program, which last had a winning season in 1986.

“We mentally can’t handle (being the favorites) right now,” Gray said.

Another difference was switching at halftime from the spread offense to a power-running game. Rhett Harper took quarterback duties in place of Will Swantic, who rushed for 96 yards but also threw an interception.

On the Raiders’ first drive in the second half, Harper hit Colter Faith for a 71-yard score with 8:17 left in the third period.

Southeast forced a fumble, recovered by Michael Pearce, and drove 58 yards to take a 17-14 lead with 1:44 left in the third quarter. Tyler Brown’s 5-yard score was the eighth running play on the nine-play drive.

“I don’t think they planned for the power game,” Harper said. “We have seven seniors in our spread package and I think the experience and