Thunderstorms may have delayed the Fighting Scots’ season opener Friday night, but it didn’t delay the final outcome.

Resuming play at the 8:26 mark in the first quarter Saturday afternoon, Scotland defeated the Seventy First Falcons by a score of 35-6.

A 36-yard Falcons touchdown pass to open the second quarter would be the only Seventy First points of the game. After that play, the Fighting Scots defense pressured the Falcons into five consecutive three-and-out offensive possessions and just two first downs in the second half.

Meanwhile, Scotland capitalized on a few explosive offensive plays of their own. After he started Saturday by going 1 -4 from behind center, sophomore quarterback Jaylend Ratliffe regained his poise and made two big throws in a 15-point third quarter that effectively put the game away for the Scots. The first saw Ratliffe elude two defenders as he escaped the pocket and make a throw on the run, finding a wide-open Jalen McLean for a 61-yard touchdown pass. Shortly afterwards, senior wide receiver Justin Brown converted a quick dump pass from Ratliffe into a 38-yard gain, which set up a rushing touchdown on a keeper from Ratliffe.

Between Friday and Saturday, Ratliffe went 8-13 for 186 yards and four touchdowns (two passing, two rushing), while also carrying the ball 15 times for 103 yards.

For a quarter-by-quarter breakdown of the game, including quotes, highlights and stats, check back in Tuesday’s edition of the Laurinburg Exchange.