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Sports

Rich Central Football Left to Pick Up the Pieces

Olympians take a 1-2 record into their next game against neighborhood rival Bloom, must cut down on miscues to turn the corner.

Two turnovers. Fourteen points.

Rich Central dropped a 28-14 non-conference football decision to Robeson on Friday night.

The Olympians had two turnovers in the third quarter that cost them 14 points--the difference in the game.

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After both teams played a tight first half, Rich Central's poor execution early in the third quarter led to defeat and a disappointing 1-2 start to the season.

"We need to get better," Rich Central coach Terrell Alexander said.  "Everyone on this team needs to step it up."

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Taking the second half kickoff, the Olympians looked to carry the momentum from the a late first-half score into the third quarter, the two teams tied 8-8 at the time. But on the first play of the half, Olympian running back James Thigpen fumbled, giving the Raiders possession at midfield.

The Olympians could not find an answer to Raider running back Devon Sanders, who rushed for 209 yards. Sanders scored off of the Thigpen turnover and the Raiders regained possession on a botched kickoff and soon put the game out of reach.

"It wasn't like we couldn't stop them," Alexander said. "They stuck with their game plan and came out on top."

If the Olympians would have not committed those two turnovers, who knows what happens. As it is, they are left to pick up the pieces and begin preparations for their Sept. 17 game at Bloom Township.

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