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LASKER – An agonizing eight yards.

That is just how close Northeast Academy’s varsity football team came from rallying for a win at home Friday. Unfortunately for the home standing Eagles, they came up short on fourth down and fell to Community Christian, 52-50.

Despite the loss, there were some bright spots for Northeast. First, they lost to the same team 46-12 two weeks ago.

Secondly, Eagles’ standout Jaden Medford continued his torrid pace on the season. He rushed for 362 yards and six touchdowns on the evening.

The fateful drive for Northeast came moments after Community Christian had taken the lead. Conner Ferguson scored on a 20-yard run with 5:02 to play in the game and Jack Beamon added the two-point conversion as they surged ahead 52-50.

Northeast took possession on their own 20-yard line and drove all the way to the Cyclones’ 8.

The drive began with Medford carrying the ball three times prior to his fourth down pass to junior Cole Taylor, who broke two tackles to pick up the first down.

The Eagles then drove to the eight on Medford’s rushing, but came up short with just 41 seconds to play.

The game started with Community jumping out to an early lead as Beamon connected with Matthew Baker on a 55-yard touchdown pass. The conversion run failed, but the Cyclones led 6-0.

Northeast responded quickly thanks in part to a 20-yard kickoff return by Aiden Buren. Medford picked up 43 yards on the first four carries. Camden White then picked up nine yards before Medford added a yard to make it first and goal from the three.

White punched it in on a quarterback keeper and Judson Smith added the conversion to give the Eagles an 8-6 lead with 2:56 to play in the first quarter.

Northeast attempted an onside kick and White recovered the ball at midfield. The Eagles wasted little time in capitalizing on the recovery when Medford went 45 yards for a score. The conversion failed, but Northeast led 14-6.

The Eagles added to their lead moments later after Deashawn Daye stripped the football from a runner and recovered the ball to give Northeast the ball near midfield.

Medford, Smith and White moved the ball to the Cyclones’ 18. From there, Medford punched it in from the 18. He also added the conversion to give Northeast a 22-6 lead with 10:33 to play in the second quarter.

Community, however, responded as they drove 53 yards on six plays to close the gap. Beamon connected with Baker again on a touchdown. Beamon added the conversion, closing the gap to 22-14 with 7:30 remaining in the first half.

Northeast took over at their own 35 and quickly moved down the field, using a steady diet of running from Medford, White and Smith.

Again it was Medford who capped the drive on a 10-yard run. White added the conversion and gave the Eagles a 30-14 advantage with 4:05 remaining in the quarter.

It was again the passing of Beamon that got the Cyclones on the scoreboard, this time a 38-yard strike to Bailey Bunn. The conversion failed, but Community had closed to within 30-20 with 3:30 still to play in the second quarter.

After forcing a turnover on downs, Community attempted a late score, but the Eagles’ secondary stopped the play at the six-yard line as time expired.

The Cyclones took the opening kickoff of the second half and scored when Bunn scampered 23 yards to paydirt with 11:03 remaining in the third quarter. Beamon added the conversion and got CCS within two at 30-28.

Northeast responded on the next drive. Buren again helped the drive by returning the ball 30 yards and giving Northeast excellent field position at their own 45. Medford picked up 35 yards on four carries before White added a 10-yard gainer.

It was Medford again who capped the drive with a 20-yard score thanks to lead blocks by Smith and Noah Luckadoo. White connected with Buren on the two-point conversion and NEA led 38-28.

Beamon found Jamison Harrell on a 23-yard touchdown pass and added the conversion as the visitors got back to within 38-36.

Northeast responded quickly when Medford broke free for a 55-yard score. The conversion, however, failed and Northeast led 44-36.

Community drove to the Eagles’ 35 on their next possession, but key plays by Luckadoo and Buren helped stall the drive. On third down, Luckadoo had a quarterback hurry that caused an incompletion and then Buren broke up a pass on fourth down.

Northeast, however, couldn’t capitalize and turned the ball over on downs.

Bunn scored quickly for the Cyclones and Beamon again added the conversion to tie the game at 44-all with 9:55 to play.

Northeast did respond, this time on Medford’s 26-yard run to paydirt. The conversion, however, failed and set up the final few minutes.

In addition to Medford’s 362 yards on 36 carries, he had one pass completion for 21 yards.

White added 44 yards on 12 carries while Buren had two carries for six yards. Taylor led all receivers with one reception for 21 yards.

Defensively, Greyson Bridgers led the Eagles with five tackles and two assists while Luckadoo had three tackles and a quarterback hurry. Daye added two tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery while Smith had four tackles and Medford three.

White recorded two tackles, one assist and a pass breakup while Buren had a pair of tackles. Taylor added one tackle.

The Eagles (0-3) will meet Community Christian for the third time this season on Friday (Sept. 6) as they travel to Wilson for the matchup.