The Lunenburg Lightning junior varsity football squad headed down to Emporia in recent weeks for a battle of unbeaten teams during the early portion of the season.

The game lived up to the expectations of top teams playing each other with Lunenburg losing a thrilling one-point contest.

Nyjae Carter took the opening kickoff back 60 yards for the first score of the game to give Lunenburg the early control. On the ensuing kickoff the Lightning recovered an onside kick and looked to keep the momentum early in the game, but the Emporia defense would settle in and keep the Lightning from adding to their score.

A big defensive stand from Emporia would force Lunenburg to turn the ball over on downs.  Emporia put together a long touchdown drive, which was the first touchdown the Lightning defense had given up all season.

In the second half Emporia again put together a long clock —eating touchdown drive. With time winding down, Nyjae Carter took another kickoff return all the way back for his second touchdown return.  A failed extra point conversion by the Lightning left them on the losing end of a 14-13 game.

The Lightning coaches noted that their defense kept them in a close ballgame with several players, including  Jacob Morris, Maki Tucker, Collin Bishop and Nyjae Carter having strong games. The Lightning will host Brunswick this Saturday at Central High.