By Brad Greer

North Delta Junior High won its final game of the 2013 football season with a 22-16 win over Lee Academy Thursday night, but it felt more like a game of survival than a victory.

The Green Wave took a 22-8 lead heading into the fourth quarter before the Colts added a safety and a 35-yard touchdown reception from Maddox Allen with 3:23 left in the contest.

After the Lee defense forced North Delta to punt on the following possession at the 2:06 mark, the Colts marched to the Green Wave 25 before turning the ball over on downs, allowing North Delta to run out the clock.

The Green Wave (4-3) controlled the first half on the board as well as statistically by holding a 152-to-85 advantage in total yardage. The roles were reversed in the second half as Lee out gained North Delta 138 to 41.

Joseph Wright got North Delta on the board right off the bat by returning the opening kickoff 83 yards with quarterback Will Kidder running in the two-point conversion for a 8-0 lead.

Lee quickly answered with a nine-play; 72-yard drive to tie the game at 8-8 as Ryan Willis plunged in from two yards out before adding the two-point conversion.

North Delta regained their lead on the ensuing series as Kidder called his own number and raced 42 yards into the end zone then booted the PAT for a 15-7 advantage with 6:05 left in the second quarter.

The Green Wave special teams assisted with the next score as Sam Sullivan  recovered the onside kick on the Colt 42. Kidder then scrambled 24 yards to the Lee 16 on the first play from scrimmage. Four plays later, Kidder added his second touchdown with a one-yard run before tacking on the PAT with 3:14 remaining in the half.

Kidder led all rushers with 98 yards on 12 carries while passing for 54 yards. Kaleb Joyner followed with 20 yards on four carries as the Wave registered 139 yards on the ground.

North Delta looked to possibly put the game away on the first drive of the third quarter but fumbled on Lee’s 16-yard line. Early in the fourth quarter, the Colts drove to the Green Wave one-yard line but was stuffed on fourth-and goal. Lee then picked up a safety as Joyner was tackled in the end zone, leaving the score 22-10 with 6:17 left in the contest.

Lee out gained North Delta 223-193 in total yardage and held a 13-10 advantage in first downs

Cole Devazier had one reception for 32 yards and an interception. Joyner and John Haga Lewis caught one pass for eight yards while Russ Lewis added one catch for six yards.

 Jack Evans led the Green Wave defense with nine tackles including a quarterback sack. John Haga Lewis added four tackles and a fumble recovery. Sullivan, Jones Montgomery, Pointer and Joseph Cox contributed with three stops.

Logan Burrows chipped in with two stops while Joyner registered a solo tackle.