RED OAK – Northern Nash used a fourth quarter field goal to get by Hertford County 16-13 here last night.

The Knights twice answered HCHS scoring drives and then capitalized on a miscue in the Bears’ kicking game to grab the upset victory.

With the game deadlocked at 13-all in the fourth period, a muffed punt gave the Knights possession on the HCHS 30-yardline. They drove inside the 10, but the Bear defense stiffened and forced a 31-yard field goal from Ben Ruffin. He split the uprights, giving Northern Nash the lead for good.

Hertford County turned the ball over twice in the final nine minutes and the Knights went on to victory.

The Bears had taken the lead in the first quarter of the game, when junior quarterback Danny Dembry connected with LaMarcus Bond on a 25-yard scoring pass when HCHS was facing a fourth-and-goal from the 25-yardline. Michael Burton added the PAT to give HCHS a 7-0 advantage.

Northern Nash answered on the ensuing possession, driving 80 yards in 11 plays to tie the game. Hakeem Taylor went 21 yards to paydirt as the Knights faced a fourth-and four. Ruffin added the PAT to deadlock the score at seven-all.

The Bears had the ball twice inside the Northern Nash 10 in the first half, but failed to score.

Hertford County appeared to be catching fire in the second half when they went 58 yards on two plays to retake the lead. Bond scored on a 46-yard run with 8:02 to play in the third quarter to give the Bears the lead. The kick failed, but Hertford County led 13-7.

The Knights again answered on their next drive.

Taylor went six yards to cap a five-play, 57-yard drive. The kick also missed and the score stayed tied at 13 to set up the winning field goal for Northern Nash.

Hertford County, who fell to 2-2 with their second consecutive loss, will look to right the ship next week when they host Rocky Mount.