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HIGH POINT - Despite a lot of penalties, turnovers, and missed opportunities, Andrews still found a way to beat its cross-town rival High Point Central 23-16 on Friday night at Simeon Stadium.

The Red Raiders scored the go-ahead touchdown with 4:36 to play and then stopped the Bison on their final two possessions to hold on. But it was far from a textbook win for Andrews.

"We made it a lot harder than it should have been," Andrews coach Rodney McKoy said. "We made way too many mistakes. We kept telling the kids to keep playing and something good would happen."

The Red Raiders took a 15-0 lead early in the third quarter on a 14-yard run by Tony Washington. Central came back with three quick passes to move 71 yards and cut the lead to 15-6.

Andrews then nearly fell apart.

The Red Raiders turned the ball over on four straight possessions on an interception and three fumbles. The Bison finally took advantage. A pass interference call helped them get in the red zone and then Central quarterback Drew Adams found Demeion Kennedy in the left, front corner of the end zone for a score. Kennedy made a leaping catch, with a defender on his back, and barely got one foot down to give the Bison its first lead at 16-15.

"We were having a difficult time running the football," High Point Central coach Wayne Jones said. "We improved offensively tonight, but we're still young. We've got to find the right mix on the offensive line."

The Red Raiders started the next possession on their own 34, but two plays later they were in scoring position. A 37-yard pass to Mark Johnson down the left sideline set up Andrews at the 9-yard line. Two plays later Andrews' quarterback Jordan Reid found Joseph Roberts for a 9-yard touchdown pass to put the Red Raiders back ahead.

The Raiders defense did the rest.

Central got the ball back with 4:30 to play at the 44, but two straight passes were knocked down by Andrews' defensive end Terry Biles. On third down, Adams tried to hit a receiver along the sidelines and it was intercepted by James Davis.

The Red Raider couldn't cash in and Central had one last chance. But Adams was sacked hard on a 18-yard completion and Kennedy came in to play behind center. He didn't have enough time to get anything done.

"Anytime you play your rival, it's going to be a dogfight," McKoy said. "The defense played too many snaps, but they kept playing. They finally stepped up late and made some plays. If you're going to win the state championship you have to win games like this."

Andrews was its worst enemy for most of the first half. The Red Raiders moved the ball well, but struggled in the red zone. They had first and goal two times, once in the first quarter and once in the second, but came away empty on both tries.

The Raiders had 168 total yards in the first half, while holding the Bison to 47 yards. But the Raiders also had 35 yards in penalties, many in crucial situations.

And - Tony Washington 17 pass from Jordan Reid (kick failed)

And - Washington 14 run (Matt Nixon kick)

And - Safety

HPC - Derek Grant 32 pass from Drew Adams (pass failed)

HPC - 19 FG by Austin Miller

HPC - Desmeion Kennedy 19 pass from Adams (Miller kick)

And - Joseph Roberts 9 pass from Reid (Cameron Neal pass from Reid)