RALEIGH, N.C. — They say it’s not how you start, but how you finish. However, it helps when you have a great start.

Southeast Raleigh defeated rival Enloe, 49-15, in the Raleigh Classic. It’s the third straight win in the series for the Bulldogs, who rang the victory bell in their endzone to celebrate.

“Anytime we can get a win to start any year is great,” Southeast Raleigh head coach Edwin Campbell said. “But obviously playing a rival from right down the street means a lot to our kids. Anytime we can play Enloe in a big classic like tonight, we love it, we enjoy it.”

The Bulldogs (1-0) look to restore some life back into the once proud football program. If Friday was any indication, they are heading in the right direction.

Southeast Raleigh displayed a balanced offense, led by junior quarterback Ty Powell and a three-headed monster at running back – Demonte Garner, Christian Freeman, James Adams – the Bulldogs proved to be a threat from anywhere on the field.

It didn’t take Freeman long to cross the goal line for the first time this season, scoring from 34-yards out on the second play from scrimmage for Southeast Raleigh. The Bulldogs got the ball after their defense forced and recovered a fumble on Enloe’s first play of the game.

The Southeast Raleigh defense wasn’t too shabby, forcing four turnovers for the game. Keysaun Eleazer, Divine Ohieari, Jayden Sanders and Khalil Pippen each recovered a fumble for the Bulldogs.

Offensively, Powell didn’t throw a touchdown, but his downfield connections throughout the net set up easy scores and kept the Eagles guessing all evening.

After an early 8-8 tie, the Bulldogs scored 34 unanswered to secure win No. 1.

“It feels good,” Powell said. “We executed what our coaches told us to do. They (Enloe) talked a lot over the summer, but we showed them we can execute and do what our coaches tell us to do.”

When Powell wasn’t handing the ball off to Garner, Freeman or Adams, he was finding Dylan Martin or Tyrus Whyte down the field.

“We have a really good offensive team,” Campbell said. “Talented at all three levels.”

It was a pick your poison night for the Eagles (0-1) who showed flashes offensively early, but shot themselves in the foot with turnovers.

Bryson Smooth scored from 4-yards out for Enloe’s first score, while Chase White took a kickoff 80-yards to paydirt in the fourth quarter for the final score of the night.

Adams had two rushing touchdowns, covering 30 and 5 yards, in the fourth quarter for Southeast Raleigh. Garner scored from 3-yards out in the first quarter, 4-yards away in the second and capped his night off with an 11-yard score in the third for the hat trick.

The Bulldogs look to improve on last season’s 5-6 record. Kicking off the year with a 34 point win is a good starting point. Campbell knows this will go a long way in the confidence department.

“It’s amazing,” Campbell said. “Not only for our (team), but for our school, our community. Now we have to build on it, from week one to week two we want to see improvement.”

Southeast Raleigh travels to Wakefield next week. Enloe will host Cary.

Source: highschoolot.com