Raiders fall short in ‘Battle of the Lantern’, hope to rebound vs. Heritage
Alex Caruso of Appomattox (white jersey) attempts to set the defensive edge against Rustburg. Image: Charles Conrad/Times Virginian

The Battle of the Lantern for the 2022 season went to Rustburg on Friday night as they defeated Appomattox 27-20, the Red Devils’ first victory over the Raiders in the last seven contests. The game was played at Rustburg High School.

With the game knotted up at 20-20 late in the fourth quarter, Marquavion Rosser, who is listed at 225 pounds, plowed through the Raiders defense on an 18-yard touchdown run with just 21 seconds remaining on the clock for the winning score. Rosser drove into the end zone with a rugged forearm shove against one Raider defender near the goal line while another attempted to drag him down from behind.

Rosser bulldozed his way to 226 yards on 36 carries.

Appomattox’s own offensive weapon, the smaller but speedier Jonathan Pennix, had tied the game at 20 points apiece early in the fourth quarter on a 93-yard burst up the right sideline. The extra point veered wide left, keeping the score at a tie.

Appomattox (1-1) hosts Heritage (1-1) at Bragg Stadium on Friday at 7 p.m.

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