The Shelby Academy Raiders closed out the regular season last Friday night, with a 43-6 spanking of Abbeville Christian Academy.

But with a first round state AISA playoff game at home against East Memorial Christian Academy set for Friday night, Raiders&8217; head football coach DeWayne Kervin was not pleased with his team&8217;s defensive performance.

&8220;Our defense did not do well,&8221; said Kervin, despite the lopsided win. He explained that Abbeville Christian Academy was able to drive the ball down the field and score on their first possession. &8220;A good (defensive) team does not do that,&8221; he said.

Kervin also said it was his team&8217;s ability to move the football on offense that has saved them this season.

Kervin said he is still missing some bodies from his team due to various injuries and conditions.

While he said running back/defensive back Brandon Horton is back from a broken collarbone he suffered in the Kingwood game, he said guard/defensive tackle Chip Lovelady is still nursing an ankle injury and quarterback/defensive back Brad Lovoy has been suffering kidney stones.

He also said the team just lost backup quarterback JoJo Tidmore, who might have a broken hand. Before being called into quarterback duties Tidmore played wide receiver and defensive back.

But there are bright spots. Kervin noted the play of freshman wide receiver/defensive back Chad King who rushed 13 times for 73 yards and three touchdowns.

Lovoy completed three of three passes for 49 yards and one touchdown while Cody Jones complete one of one pass attempts for 14 yards.

Cody Wilson rushed for 86 yards and a touchdown, and Lovoy contributed 69 yards and one touchdown on the ground.

Josh Sharp caught one pass for 35 yards and a TD.

Leading the defense were Rick McBride and Michael Atchison with six tackles each and Lovoy with two tackles and one interception.

The Raiders (8-2, 7-1) will host 6-4 East Memorial Christian Academy this Friday night in the first round of playoffs. Kervin said the two teams played two common opponents and both won those games.