WINTERVILLE – Hertford County fumbled away their season opener here Friday night.

The Bears had four turnovers during the night and fell 27-14 in the first game of the 2011 gridiron campaign.

The miscues started on the first series as the Bears fumbled after a completed pass on the third play of the game and Rashard Williams picked it up for South Central and went 30 yards for the score.

The kick failed, but the home team grabbed an early 6-0 lead with 10:44 left in the first quarter.

Three plays after getting the ball back, the Bears fumbled again and South Central again grabbed the loose pigskin. That gave the Falcons possession at the HCHS 26-yardline.

It took South Central just four plays before quarterback Nick King scored and then Trey McNeil added the two-point conversion as the Falcons edged ahead 14-0 with 8:05 to play in the first quarter.

The Bears turned the table on South Central late in the first period when Javel Mann recovered a fumble for HCHS. Five plays later Montel Lewter scored from seven yards out to get the Bears on the board. Ackerman Grace added the extra point as the Bears closed within 14-7.

South Central took a two-touchdown lead into the locker room, however, after King scored on a 20-yard run just before the first half ended. David Fulcher added the conversion and provided the 21-7 halftime edge.

The first possession of the second half sealed the win for the Falcons as they went 62 yards on 10 plays. Shane Furlow scored from 10 yards out and gave South Central a 27-7 advantage.

Hertford County scored late thanks to a 39-yard pass from backup quarterback Tim Sessoms to Kevin Privott. Grace added the kick to close the gap to 27-14 with 1:17 to play.

Hertford County managed just 174 yards during the evening, led by Dorien Askew 68 yards rushing. Aaron Thomas added 62 yards on the ground.

The Bears (0-1) will look to rebound next week when they take to the road at Crowells Crossroads where they will meet Southeast Halifax.