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Red Level could not overcome several turnovers in the first half and fell 56-8 to LaFayette on homecoming Friday night.

The Tigers fell to 2-3 on the season, while the Bulldogs evened their record to 3-3 on the year.

“Tonight was one of those nights where the wheels fell off early, and we could not stop them,” Head Coach Kenny Skipper said. “You turn the ball over like that in those kinds of situations and are not going to win. Give LaFayette credit who came out to play; apparently we didn’t. We will look at the mistakes we made and tackle those on Monday to get better for next week.”

Red Level opened the game at the 38-yard line but was unable to pick up a first down and had to punt. LaFayette took over at the 24-yard line and moved the chains with a big 52-yard pass from Kemare Harrington to Travon Williams. Four plays later, Zephaniah Phillips scored from two yards out. The two-point conversion was good for an 8-0 lead with 8:41 to go in the first quarter.

The Tigers fumbled the kickoff return as the Bulldogs recovered and returned the ball to the end zone. Once again, the conversion was good and took the score to 16-0.

A good kickoff return set up Red Level on its next possession. However, a fumble on the first play from scrimmage hurt dearly. Harrington connected with Williams on the initial play for a 22-yard touchdown pass and upped the lead for LaFayette to 24-0 at the 8:02 point.

Justin Parker returned the ensuing kickoff to the 41-yard line. Malique Copeland gave the Tigers a first down with a 12-yard run into opposing territory. Junior Mayes then converted a third-and-5 with a 6-yard carry for another first down. However, the Bulldogs fought back and forced a turnover on downs.

Julian Robinson began the next visiting drive with a 15-yard run for a first down. LaFayette reached the 31-yard line, but Red Level regained possession with a fourth-down stop.

Copeland moved the chains again on third down before Mayes had a 32-yard run to the 24-yard line as the first quarter ended. Copeland kept the drive alive with a 12-yard run on the first play of the second quarter and reached the 6-yard line. Unfortunately, the fumble bug returned and thwarted the drive.

The Bulldogs took advantage of the turnover and struck fast on three plays. An 82-yard run by Phillips set up a 3-yard touchdown run by Harrington. The two-point conversion was good and took the score to 32-0 with 9:11 left in the first half.

The Tigers continued to struggle on offense and went three-and-out. Harrington threw a 61-yard touchdown pass, and this time, the two-point try was no good that left the score 38-0 with 6:51 remaining in the second.

Red Level was tackled in the backfield on a punt attempt during its next possession. After a holding call started the next visiting drive, Harrington had a 22-yard run inside the red zone. Robinson followed with a 12-yard touchdown run. LaFayette attempted a point after, but it was no good as the score stood at 44-0 at the 3:43 point.

The Tigers still had trouble on offense and again had a turnover on downs when a fourth down came up short. The Bulldogs nearly scored just before the half but came up short of the goal line.

The second half was played with a running clock and six-minute quarters. Robinson got the call on the ground for the majority of the third quarter. Harrington threw a 29-yard touchdown pass on the final play of the third. The two-point attempt was no good and kept the score 50-0.

Red Level started the fourth quarter at its own 45-yard line. Mayes picked up three straight first-down carries of 16, 19, and 11 yards. Mayes then found the end zone and ran in the two-point conversion to put the score at 50-8.

With the clock winding down, LaFayette ran the ensuing kickoff back for a touchdown as the game came to an end.

Red Level returns to region play and remains home next week to take on Elba (4-2) on Friday, Oct. 4.

“Elba is going to be fast, big, and strong. We will see if we can put together a better game plan than we did tonight,” Skipper said.