The Buckingham County High School varsity football team played its final tune-up game of the preseason last Friday night and fell to Halifax County High School, 14-7.

The two teams have played in a VHSL (Virginia High School League) benefit game each of the past three seasons. The benefit game is generally played like a regular season game instead of a scrimmage, but the result does not count against the teams on their regular season records.

The Knights have gotten the best of Halifax the past two seasons, but this year would be different as the depth of the Comets, along with a pair of big plays, helped them keep fresh defenders in the game to earn a win against the Knights.

The teams would battle back and forth in the first quarter, with Buckingham picking up yardage but being unable to get on the scoreboard.

Halifax scored on a 45-yard run by Jamal Brandon with 4:26 left on the clock before half-time to give them a 7-0 lead.

The two teams would continue to play well defensively as Buckingham standouts like Michael Mabry, Hunter Edwards and Patrick Carr helped hold the Comets in check for most of the game.

Halifax would get their second score of the game in the fourth quarter on a 58-yard run from their quarterback that put them up 14-0.

The Knights would finally get on the board late in the contest as they scored on their final possession of the game. BJ Gough would see some time at quarterback late in the quarter and he orchestrated a 13-play drive that covered 65 yards and ended with a touchdown.

Gough would score from three yards away with 1:50 left in the game.

For the game, the Knights offense totaled 266 yards as they were able to move the ball between the red zones. All of the yardage would come on the ground for Buckingham.

The Knights open up their season this Friday night at home against the Appomattox Raiders in a rivalry game at 7 pm.