Red Level suffered a close 8-6 Class 1A, Region 2 loss to Kinston on Friday night.

The Tigers held a 6-0 lead going into halftime, but a KHS, second-half touchdown and 2-point conversion put the Bulldogs in the lead for good.

Late in the game, RLHS had a fourth-down play with minutes left, but ended up throwing an interception to ice the game for KHS.

Tigers head football coach David Godwin said it was a good, hard-fought game.

“I couldn’t be any prouder of the effort my guys showed,” Godwin said. “It was one of the best, effort-wise games we’ve played since I’ve been at Red Level.”

Red Level’s Wesley Holley scored the Tiger’s lone touchdown on a power play midway through the second quarter.

RLHS will need to win next week against Georgiana to stay alive in postseason life. A Florala loss to KHS would end up bringing a three-way tie situation in the region.