By J. M. Jones

Staff Writer

  HEWITT – West Rusk’s best football season ended Friday as the Raiders were shut out by the Lexington Eagles 24-0 in the Class 2A Division II Quarterfinal Championship in Midway High’s Panther Stadium.

  The Raiders returned to New London with a 12-1 record, as undisputed Region III Division champions and making their first advance to the state quarterfinals.

  Good Eagles plays and a stiff Lexington defense kept the Raiders’ stocking empty. West Rusk advanced to the Eagles’ 35-yard line in the first quarter, but could not convert a fourth down situation to first down. Raider quarterback Chris Johnson tried two more fourth down conversion attempts in the third quarter, at the Lexington 26- and 46-yard lines respectively, each unsuccessful.

  In the Raiders’ first possession of the fourth quarter, Ryan Jones fielded a kick by Lexington to his own 46. After two plays, Johnson pulled a reverse with Tony Gordon and the quarterback sped 43 yards to the Eagle end zone. The touchdown was erased by a blocking penalty on the West Rusk.

  Still in the same drive, the columbine blues bootlegged to the opponent’s 39. Fourth down looked them in the face again, and West Rusk was stopped short.

   Coach John Frazier consoled his Raiders for the loss and congratulated them for their efforts in 2010.

  “We’ve never gone this far in a single season. They worked hard and I’m proud of all of them,” he said.  

  Lexington’s scores were from touchdowns by Jason Washington in the first quarter, Tyler Moerbe in the second and Josh Murray in the third. Antonio Martinez kicked a third quarter field goal. The Eagles are 13-0 and advance to the semifinals.