COAL MOUNTAIN — Ben Bales connected with Charlie Aiken on a 43-yard pass with 16 seconds left to lift North Forsyth to a thrilling 35-31, come-from-behind victory over Pickens Friday night at Raider Valley.
The Raiders (3-1) trailed most of the game as the Dragons (1-3) jumped out to leads of 14-0 in the first quarter and 21-7 in the second quarter. But behind Griffin Heffington, North Forsyth was able to get back in the game in the second half.
Heffington rushed for 105 yards and scored four touchdowns, one in each quarter, as the Raiders chipped away.
Heffington scored twice in the first half as the Raiders managed to trail just 21-14. He would score early in the third quarter to tie the game at 21 but Pickens answered with a field goal early in the fourth quarter to reclaim the lead 24-21.
North Forsyth answered with a quick 6-play drive, capped by Heffington’s fourth score to give the Raiders their first lead of the game, 28-24.
But the Dragons mounted another rally and scored with 48.8 seconds left to retake the again at 31-28.
But the Raiders would have the final say.
Bales was 14-of-28 passing for 248 yards and the one crucial touchdown pass. Simon Holcomb was the main target catching six balls for 148 yards. Aiken finished with two catches for 53 yards.
