In their season opener, Tornado head coach Steve Whittington didn't get what he said he was looking for.

"With the tough schedule that we have this year, we need an early season confidence builder," Whittington said.

The South Montgomery County Academy Raiders did not cooperate Friday night, as they handed the Tornadoes a 48-0 season-opening loss.

After winning the toss, SMCA opted to receive in the first half. The Raiders started with a strong drive, and had a touchdown attempt called back for a holding penalty.

Blakely Ward and the

Tornadoes turned away a fourth-down effort near the goalline to stall SMCA's first drive.

Unable to make any ground in their first drive, the Tornadoes defense was back on the field.

This time the Tornadoes weren't so successful, as SMCA punched it in to take a 7-0 lead.

Four plays later the Tornadoes were stalled, and SMCA again had the ball and four plays later SMCA had scored again. They tacked on a two-point conversion.

The Tornadoes were turned away again.

SMCA turned the defensive stand into another six, but failed to convert the PAT.

SMCA scored two more touchdowns before the break, making the half-time score

35-0, behind the 223-yard first-half passing effort of quarterback John Andrews.

SMCA scored two more touchdowns in a sucond-half that saw both teams reserves in plenty of

action. The Tornadoes moved to their best field position of the night late in the fourth quarter, but were unable to make the trip count.

James McGough led the Tornadoes with 41 yards rushing on 12 tries. Bill Conway had 40 yards on four carries, Ward had 13 yards on four carries, Josh Burt had one carry for 10 yards.

Ward, Dustin Bowen and Colt Brantley led the Tornadoes defense. Ward recorded a pair of sacks and nine tackles. Bowen had 10 tackles and Brantley had nine.

Brian Little and Burt had seven stops apiece.