The Union Pines football team lost its season opener 34-14 to Southwestern Randolph Friday at Woodrow Wilhoit Stadium in Cameron.

After the two teams battled to a 7-7 halftime tie, the visiting 3-A Cougars took control of the contest by scoring two touchdowns in the opening 4:12 of the third quarter.

Southwestern Randolph found pay dirt for a third time in the frame, on a four-yard scamper by Darius Martin.

It was the junior tailback’s fourth ground score of the night for the Cougars and the extra point made the margin 28-7 with 4:31 left in the third quarter.

The Cougars scored again with 6:31 remaining in the game.

Fullback Cody Daub capped off the 64-yard, eight-play drive by pounding into the end zone on a one-yard dive to give Southwestern a 34-7 lead.

A two-yard touchdown, by Vike senior fullback Lee Barber, capped off a 62-yard scoring drive for Union Pines and brought the game to its final tally.

Southwestern (1-0) grabbed a 7-0 lead on its first drive of the game when Martin took a trap 18-yards for touchdown at the 3:25 mark of the opening quarter.

The Vikes tied the contest with 6:48 remaining in the second period, when junior quarterback Braxton Ross connected with Zack Yates for a 10-yard scoring toss.

Next week Union Pines (0-1) hits the road to take on cross-county rival North Moore.

Contact F.W. Manning II at frankwm2@gmail.com