RICHWOOD — Benjamin Logan (3-4) nearly pulled off an improbable comeback Friday night against North Union (5-2).

The Raiders erased nearly an entire 22-point deficit in the fourth quarter, but their rally came up just short as North Union held on for a 28-26 victory.

Benjamin Logan trailed 28-6 before mounting its furious comeback.

Jordan Pender started the charge with a 7-yard touchdown run with 3:18 remaining, cutting the North Union lead to 28-13.

Then, quite literally, the lights went out.

With 2:35 remaining, the stadium lights went dark, forcing a temporary stoppage in play. Once the lights returned, the Raiders continued their push.

Cooper Buck provided the next spark, taking a North Union punt 71 yards to the end zone for a touchdown. The score brought Benjamin Logan within 28-20.

The late game theatrics had just begun.

Benjamin Logan recovered the ensuing onside kick, giving the offense another opportunity with a chance to complete the comeback.

For the Wildcats, they must have been thinking, "Not again," after surrendering a two-score lead to Urbana just two weeks prior in the final 3 minutes of their Homecoming game. 

The Raiders capitalized as Rhett Newman powered into the end zone from 1 yard out with 55 seconds remaining. Benjamin Logan elected to go for the two-point conversion and the tie, but the attempt was unsuccessful, allowing North Union fans to exhale and leave with the two-point victory.

The comeback capped a night in which the Raiders continued to battle despite falling behind early.

Adam Tinsman completed the night with 132 passing yards and connected with Micah Gregg for a 10-yard touchdown pass late in the first half.

Pender led the Benjamin Logan ground game with 73 rushing yards, while Buck contributed three receptions for 46 yards in addition to his 71-yard punt return for a touchdown.

Despite the loss, the Raiders' fourth-quarter surge nearly turned a 22-point deficit into one of the most dramatic comebacks of their season.

Benjamin Logan falls to 3-4 on the season and will look to bounce back in its next contest.

FINAL: North Union 28, Benjamin Logan 26