Blue Raiders outlast rival Bears, 23-18

photo Cleveland running back TJ Parker runs into the end zone for a touchdown as Bradley Central linebacker Cason Still falls short in pursuit Friday at Bradley Central High School.

CLEVELAND, Tenn. - Cleveland almost had the necessary points at the end of the first quarter to win its District 5-AAA high school football game against Bradley Central. And in the fourth quarter, it almost didn't have enough.

It took getting one first down after Landon Allison's recovery of a Bradley Central onside kick with 2:31 to play, but the Blue Raiders made their early onslaught stand up and defeated the host Bears 23-18.

The victory keeps Cleveland (4-4, 3-1) in the district race and is its second consecutive over its neighboring rival. But to hear Blue Raiders coach Ron Crawford tell it, a win is a win is a win.

"We play one game every Friday," Crawford said. "Our goal is to win that game."

Cleveland received to start the game and from its 35 drove for a touchdown. The drive consisted of four running plays and a 29-yard screen pass from Austin Massey to T.J. Parker for the touchdown.

The Bears' first possession consisted of three plays and then a snap over the punter's head and through the end zone for a safety. Cleveland's ground game again went to work after the free kick and Raekwon Bunion's 5-yard run -- the last of six consecutive running plays starting at the Blue Raiders' 37 -- and Brandon Romero's extra point made it 16-0 at 6:11 of the first quarter.

"We had a quick start, then dropped well off after that," Crawford said.

Bradley (2-5, 0-3) went to work after that behind quarterback Cole Copeland, who connected with Tyler Carpenter for a 55-yard touchdown before the first quarter was over and hit him with a 48-yard scoring pass with 5:34 to go in the third quarter to pull the Bears within four.

Cleveland responded with Massey throwing his second touchdown pass -- a long one down the middle to Isaiah Beaty that covered 44 yards -- and the lead was stretched to 23-12 heading to the fourth quarter.

The Blue Raiders' first chance at going to work on the clock late came after halting the Bears on downs for the fourth time in the second half, this one with 2:42 remaining at their 14. But a fumble on a handoff exchange was scooped by Bradley's Jamey Billups, who almost scored.

After two 5-yard penalties on the Bears, Copeland completed an 11-yard pass to Daniel Clark for a touchdown. After the conversion pass to try to get within a field goal failed was when Bradley tried the onside kick.

"Our defense bowed its back a few times and turned them back," Crawford said. "This team is like its football coach. It's an ugly team, but we've been finding ways to win."

Bunion led Cleveland's rushing attack with 109 yards on nine carries.

Copeland, who completed his first eight passes and ended up 22-for-31, wound up with 301 yards of total offense. Carpenter caught nine passes for 142 yards.

The Bears' eight penalties for 60 yards paled in comparison the 16 for 143 that the Blue Raiders overcame.

"It's hard on you when you're first-and-20, first-and-25," Crawford said. "In particular with the lead."

Contact Kelley Smiddie at ksmiddie@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6653. Follow him at twitter.com/KelleySmiddie.

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