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HIGH POINT — Ragsdale coach Tommy Norwood continues to be frustrated with his team’s performance on the field, but he’ll continue to take wins any way he can get them.

For the second game this week, the Tigers looked sluggish in the first half, but came on strong in the fourth quarter against Southwest Guilford and claimed a 31-14 victory Friday night.

Ragsdale stays unbeaten in the Piedmont Triad 4-A conference with the win and sets up an early conference showdown with Northwest Guilford next Friday.

“If we play like we did tonight, we won’t be ready,” Norwood said. “We’ve got to step it up a notch. I’m pleased with the record, but not with the performance.”

Leading 10-7 to start the second half, Ragsdale (6-1, 3-0) scored a touchdown in the third quarter and added two more scores in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach.

Quarterback Garrison Herndon worked his way in from 3 yards out for the last score.

“We did a good job of overcoming adversity,” Herndon said. “We started off real slow. But we fought together as a team in the second half. Our bodies were pretty beat up after playing two games (this week).”

Southwest Guilford (2-5, 0-2) cut the lead to 17-14 early in the fourth quarter, but Ragsdale took the ensuing possession and went 58 yards in nine plays to take control again at 24-14 with 7:28 to play.

“My hat goes off to the kids right there,” Norwood said. “If we got three-and-out right there, they would have had all the momentum."

Marquez Eleazer, who finished with 141 yards rushing, led the way on the drive, but Xavier Jones scored the touchdown that helped the Tigers take control again.

After no scoring for the first 21 minutes, both teams found a way to get on the board in the half’s final three minutes. Ragsdale had a first and goal at the 6, but settled for a 20-yard Brad Davis field goal for a 3-0 lead.

On Southwest’s next possession, Tiger linebacker Duncan Sparks stepped in front of short pass and Ragsdale was in the red zone again. The Tigers wasted no time taking advantage of the takeaway.

Quarterback Garrison Herndon threw a quick strike to Anthony Stewart and Stewart did the rest on a 14-yard touchdown reception and a 10-0 lead for the Tigers.

R—FG Brad Davis 20

R—Anthony Stewart 14 pass from Garrison Herndon (Davis kick)

SWG—Braxton Daye 1 run (Tanner Butler kick)

R—Marquez Eleazer 4 run (Davis kick)

SWG—Andre Bowens 24 pass from DeMario Smith (Butler kick)

R—Xavier Jones 4 run (Davis kick)

R—Herndon 3 run (Davis kick)