No. 14 Cleveland remained undefeated, winning its 50th straight regular season game on Friday night, but Southeast Raleigh didn’t make it easy for the Rams.

Southeast Raleigh led 14-10 at halftime, but Cleveland scored 29 points in the second half en route to a 39-29 victory.

Ty Powell scored the first touchdown of the game for Southeast Raleigh on a one-yard run, but the Rams’ defense tied the game later in the quarter when Ronalon Renwick picked up a fumble and returned it 40 yards for a score. The two teams were tied at 7-7 after one quarter.

Southeast Raleigh reclaimed a lead in the second quarter when Damonte Garner scored from the one-yard line. Brody Barnes connected on a 22-yard field goal later in the quarter for Cleveland, but Southeast Raleigh led 14-10 at halftime.

Cleveland got its first lead of the game in the third quarter when Jackson Byrd completed an 84-yard pass to D.J. Crooms for a touchdown, putting Clayton up 17-14. Southeast Raleigh answered right back though with a 33-yard touchdown pass from Powell to Tyrus White.

Byrd took over the rest of the quarter though. The senior scored a 63-yard touchdown run, then completed a 53-yard pass to DeAngelo Ruffin for another score. A two-point conversion gave Cleveland a 32-21 lead going into the fourth quarter.

The Bulldogs didn’t back down though. Powell and Garner connected for another touchdown, this time from 27 yards out, and Southeast Raleigh converted a two-point try to get within a field goal of Cleveland, 32-29.

But Byrd had the dagger for Cleveland late in the quarter. Byrd ran into the end zone from three yards out to secure the 39-29 win.

Cleveland (8-0, 5-0 Greater Neuse 4A) hits the road next week for a road game at Garner. Southeast Raleigh (5-3, 2-3 Greater Neuse 4A) will host Corinth Holders.

Source: highschoolot.com