Late score pushes Armuchee past LFO

The LFO Warriors struck first, but the Armuchee Indians struck last as they claimed a 27-23 home victory in a tribal gridiron battle in Floyd County on Friday.

LFO’s defense opened the scoring less than four minutes into the contest as Johnathan Crutcher returned an interception 10 yards for a score. Bailey Goins’ kick would stake the Warriors to an early 7-0 lead.

Less than four minutes later, LFO got on the board again, this time it was the offense getting it done as quarterback Zach Vaughn plunged in from a yard out before Goins added the PAT.

But Armuchee (1-1) would answer with two scores to tighten up the game before the first quarter ended. Adam Hart ran one in from 39 yards out, followed by a Simon Wilson kick, and quarterback Brayden Perry matched Vaughn with his own 1-yard run.

However, a 2-point conversion pass failed, keeping LFO in the lead by one and the Red-and-White added to their advantage in the opening minute of the second quarter as Vaughn kept it on a 4-yard run. The point after failed and LFO would take a 20-13 lead into the locker room.

Armuchee would finally pull even at the 9:09 mark of the third quarter as Jacob Henderson got loose on a 41-yard run, followed by a Wilson kick. Goins would regain the lead for LFO with 5:53 left in the quarter on a 30-yard field goal.

The Indians would go in front for good as Henderson scored from four yards out with 8:27 remaining as Wilson providing the extra point. LFO would get one final crack to win the game in the closing seconds, but came up short.

LFO outgained Armuchee on the ground, 256-122, despite having just 36 carries to the Indians’ 37. Vaughn was 8-of-23 in the air for 79 yards and an interception.

Nathan Williams rushed 12 times for 144 yards, while Vaughn had 52 yards on 11 carries. Ruddy Ware pace the receivers with six grabs good for 58 yards.

LFO (0-2) will be off this week as they get set to travel to Gordon Lee on Sept. 8 in another non-region contest.