The result of Friday night’s season-opening battle on the gridiron between Buckingham County High School and Appomattox County High School was in marked contrast to their meeting last year.

In place of a tense contest featuring a narrow differential on the scoreboard was a blowout victory in favor of the defending Virginia High School League Group 2A state champions.

The host Raiders walked away with a 57-6 victory over the shorthanded Knights.

“I saw what I kind of expected,” Buckingham Head Coach Joshua Wallace said. “We didn’t practice very good all week, and no one comes in here wanting to lose. We want to go into a game trying to compete. I hope it was an eye-opener for us.”

All of the scoring in the game took place in the first half, with the second half passing quickly due to a running clock.

Appomattox led 23-6 after the first quarter. It jumped out to a 16-0 lead off of a nine-yard touchdown run by junior Javon Scruggs followed by a safety and a 75-yard kickoff return by senior Phillip Fleshman.

The Raiders scored on all but one of their offensive possessions in the half.

It was later in the first quarter when Buckingham stopped Appomattox on 4th down and four yards to go, forcing a turnover on downs.

On the heels of that defensive stand, the Knights scored their only points of the game. Junior Daniel Brickhill crossed the goal line from one yard out, a play which was set up by a 66-yard run from senior Rajheem Holman. The two-point conversion was no good, but the score was 16-6.

However, Scruggs piled on a 40-yard touchdown run and a two-yard touchdown run to help make it 30-6.

Appomattox junior De’von Graves, who is verbally committed to North Carolina State University, scored on a 20-yard fumble recovery, as well as on a 40-yard interception return.

In between those two scores was a 20-yard scoring run by senior Delonta Kelso.

Fleshman ran in a touchdown from 16 yards out with 3:46 to go in the half. The extra point made it 57-6.

About halfway through the first quarter, Buckingham lost senior team captain Jarvis Bowles to injury. Wallace said Bowles likely has a concussion and will be out next week.

The Knights entered the game with only 17 eligible players.

Buckingham (0-1) returns to action Friday at home against Chatham. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.