LAURINBURG, N.C. — The lightning flashed through the cloudy horizon at Pate Stadium at Scotland High School on Thursday night. With 8:48 remaining in the third quarter, the storied rivalry with Richmond was put on a weather delay. Shortly after, worsening conditions caused the remainder of the contest to be postponed until tomorrow, Friday, Aug. 28, at 7 p.m.

Before rain delayed the festivities, the Scots were in full control with a 20-0 lead — something that hasn’t happened in a while.

In recent years, Richmond has led one of the most storied and passionate high school football rivalries in the state. The Raiders have won each of the past three meetings, with Scotland’s most recent win in the rivalry coming by 1-point on Oct. 28, 2022.

However, these proud programs have been more competitive than the past few meetings suggest. Richmond leads the series 6-4 in the past 10 and 11-9 in the past 20.

Although, the first half of Thursday’s battle was lopsided in Scotland’s direction. It took about half the first period for either team to move the chains. When it happened, it was the Scots. Not long after the first down, senior quarterback Collin Hill reeled back and delivered a 60-yard touchdown pass to senior Chris George, who had bolted ahead of the Raider defense.

The Scots missed the extra-point attempt and led 6-0.

On the subsequent drive, Richmond successfully advanced the ball deep into Scot territory. The Raiders utilized the athleticism of quarterback Damarion Allen often throughout the half, letting the offense run through the sophomore. 

Coming soon: photos from Richmond at Scotland (Aug. 27, 2026)

But just as Richmond got inside the five, Allen hit a wide open receiver, who fumbled the ball just in front of the end zone. The ball was quickly recovered by George, who was perhaps the MVP of the first quarter for the home team.

If George was the player to watch for the first 12 minutes, then Scotland sophomore running back Mike McLean was the man for the next 12.

At times, McLean was a one-man offensive wrecking crew, splitting through the Raider defense, and swiftly advancing Scotland’s offense. Eventually, the sophomore scored two short rushing TDs throughout the second quarter — each of which was followed by a successful extra-point kick to make it a commanding 20-0 advantage.

In between those two scores was another massive defensive play. Just as Richmond was gathering momentum on another long drive midway through the second period, the ball was fumbled again, this time recovered by Scotland senior linebacker Blayden Kee.

That momentum carried over into McLean’s second scoring drive, and the Scots hope it will continue to last throughout the night and another day as they still have much work to do to hold off a comeback when play resumes Friday at 7 p.m. from Pate Stadium.

Box Score

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Scoring Plays

First Quarter

5:36 – Scotland 60-yard passing TD from Collin Hill to Chris George. Extra-point kick no good; 6-0, Scotland lead.

Second Quarter

9:56 – Scotland 3-yard TD ran in by Mike McLean Extra-point kick good from Leo Garcia; 13-0, Scotland lead.0:58 – Scotland 1-yard TD ran in by McLean Extra-point kick good from Garcia; 20-0, Scotland lead.