HOBGOOD – Northeast Academy put a damper on Hobgood Academy’s homecoming festivities as the visitors squeezed out a 46-44 victory last night.

Senior Brodie Harrell led Northeast with 227 yards rushing on 17 carries while Arch Harrell, back in the lineup after missing several games due to injury, added 78 yards on 14 carries.

Leading by two points (24-22) at the start of the second half the Eagles took the opening possession in for the score.

Starting on their own 35-yardline, Northeast drove 39 yards in four plays, including a 16 yard run by sophomore Russ Flythe, to Hobgood’s 26 yard line.

B. Harrell broke through the line for the score and John Pope’s completed pass to Jay Duncan gave the Eagles a 32-22 advantage.

Matt Warren returned the ensuing kickoff 10 yards to the Raiders’ 40 yard line.

Three plays later Hank Edmondson connected with Gray Smith for 16 yards as Hobgood moved the chains to the Northeast 38.

Tripp Peele carried twice for a gain of one yard and on the third down Northeast senior Josh Jenkins tackled the running back for a loss.

After a Hobgood timeout Edmondson and Smith connected again for 24 yards and a first down.

After a run by Peele, a penalty on Northeast for illegal equipment moved the ball to the Eagles 3 yard line.

The Raiders were then whistled for holding and moved back 10 yards.

Northeast’s defense held as Davis Harrell and Wesley Bryant held the Hobgood runners at the line of scrimmage.

Another penalty pushed Hobgood back to the 18.

On fourth down Edmondon’s pass to Smith was incomplete but Northeast was whistled for pass interference, giving the Raiders the ball on the 3 yard line.

On third and goal Peele ran in for the score.

Hobgood fumbled the conversion attempt as the Raiders closed in, 32-28.

B. Harrell returned the kickoff 45 yards but the Eagles were flagged for a personal foul that moved the ball back to midfield.

After a nine yard gain by Flythe, Northeast was called for another personal foul and three plays later turned the ball over on downs.

After gaining five yards on two plays, Edmondson dropped back to pass.

Under pressure from Jenkins, Edmondson’s pass was intercepted by Judd Smith, who returned the ball 55 yards for the score.

Flythe appeared to cross the goal line on the conversion carry but the referees whistled it short as Northeast took a 38-28 advantage at the end of the third.

Hobgood got two quick scores at the top of the fourth.

On their first play Peele took the ball 61 yards for the score.

Gray caught the conversion pass to pull the Raiders within two.

Hobgood recovered the onside kick and two plays later Bryant Preast caught the pass for a 49 yard score.

The conversion gave Hobgood a 44-38 lead with 10:46 on the clock.

The lead didn’t last long.

Less than three minutes later Pope capped off a drive with a 39 yard sprint up the right side for the score.

On the conversion Pope dropped his head and drove through two defenders to give Northeast a 46-44 lead.

Hobgood moved the ball back downfield but the Eagles defense held, forcing a field goal attempt.

The kick was wide and Northeast drove upfield as time wound down before taking the win, 46-44.

After a scoreless first quarter the Edmondson connected with Gray for a Raiders touchdown.

The kick was good as Hobgood struck first, taking a 7-0 lead.

On their second possession of the second quarter B. Harrell eluded three tacklers as he took the ball 90 yards for the score. A. Harrell carried in the conversion for an 8-7 Eagles lead.

After a quick Hobgood score (14-8) it took Northeast only four plays to find the end zone.

After a 43 yard reception by Jenkins, Flythe took the ball the final two yards for the score. Pope walked in the conversion as Northeast retook the lead, 16-14.

Less than 30 seconds later Hobgood’s Gage Parrish found the endzone and the two point conversion gave the Raiders a four point advantage but Northeast wasn’t done.

With no time left on the clock B. Harrell ran five yards for the score. A. Harrell ran in the conversion, giving Northeast a two-point advantage (24-22) at the half.

The Eagles amassed 608 yards of total offense, including 396 rushing yards.

B. Harrell and A. Harrell led the defense with 15 tackles apiece while D. Harrell and Smith each had six.

Northeast will travel to Rocky Mount Academy next Friday night.