Lee County 40, Middle Creek 28

The reason why Lee County won: The Yellow Jackets rallied from a 14-0 first quarter deficit to score 28 points in the second quarter and controled the game with a powerful rushing attack, totaling more than 400 yards rushing.

Records: Middle Creek (4-6 overall, 3-2 in the Tri-Eight), Lee County (5-4 overall, 2-2 in the Tri-Eight).

Game changers: Yellow Jackets running back Rashon Kennedy rushed for 243 yards and a couple of touchdowns. Kennedy was coming off a pair of subpar games, but could not be held in check by Middle Creek.

Momentum swing: The second quarter proved pivotal. Middle Creek had built a 14-0 lead after the first quarter and was playing on the road at a difficult Lee County venue.

The Yellow Jackets, though, outscored the Mustangs 28-7 in the second quarter and never trailed thereafter.

By the numbers: In addition to Kennedy’s 243 yards, teammate Jay Hollingsworth rushed for 139 yards on 18 carries, including touchdown runs of 59 and 3 yards. ... Salim Cook led Middle Creek with 118 yards rushing on 10 carries. ... The loss snapped a two-game Middle Creek winning streak and dented the Mustangs’ hope of a second-place Tri-Eight Conference finish. The Mustangs remain one-half game ahead of Apex, Athens Drive and Lee County with just one game left to play.

Up next: On Friday, Oct. 27, Middle Creek closes out its regular season by hosting Athens Drive, while Lee County visits Green Hope. Both games kick off at 7:30 p.m.