It was the same song, second verse, as Coach Scott Booth and his Flying Squadron of Highland Home hit the road this past Friday night as they flew into Marion, Alabama, to take on the Rams of Francis Marion in a Class 2A Region 3 gridiron battle.

In a game of winless opponents, both teams were looking to rectify a disappointing 2008 football campaign and make a statement for things to come. And that statement came from the home team Rams as they handed the Squadron their sixth loss in as many games with a 43-14 victory. With this defeat, Coach Booth and his Flying Squadron are now assured of a losing season with only four games left, and are now mathematically knocked out of any chance of making the AHSAA 2A state playoffs for 2008.

Francis Marion wasted little time in putting the Squadron behind the eight ball as the Rams’ return man galloped 88 yards with the opening kick-off for the 1st score of the night. With the run for two points successful, the Rams were up 8-0 with 11:46 showing on the game clock.

On the Flyboys’ 1st offensive possession of the game, the white clad eleven drove the ball down to Francis Marion’s 30-yard line, but a Squadron turnover stopped the scoring threat at that point, and gave the ball back to the Rams midway in the 1st stanza.

As the home team took to the field for the first time on offense, lightning struck again on the Crenshaw County boys. Already down by a touchdown, the Rams scored on their first play from scrimmage as the Rams’ QB and wide out hit on a 70-yard scoring toss. This time, the PAT play was no good as the Squadron defense stiffened on the play, to give the home team a 14-0 lead.

Trailing by two touchdowns, the Flying Squadron offensive unit closed the gap to a one touchdown lead on a QB Tyler McGough score. The PAT kick was true as Highland Home cut the score to 14-7 early in quarter number two.

Late in the same quarter, the Rams put more distance between them and the Flyboys as they notched their third and final touchdown of the half, and they led 22-7 as the horn sounded to end the first half.

To start the second half, the 58th ranked Rams increased their margin over the Highland Home boys as they scored on their first offensive series to go up 30-7.

Highland Home hit Francis Marion pay dirt with a Mike Montgomery touchdown. On their first offensive set of the second half, the scoreboard read Home Team 30, Visitors 14.

The hard-charging Rams scored their first victory of the year with two fourth quarter scores to make the final score stand at Rams 43, Squadron 14.

Earning their first win on the 2008 season won’t be easy as the Flying Squadron travel to Montgomery to take on undefeated and region leader St. Jude Pirates.

Kick off is set for 7:00 p.m.