The final night of summer 7-on-7 action brought the Meridian Hawks to Moweaqua for a matchup with the Central A&M Raiders, as both teams took another step toward the start of the 2026 football season.
The scrimmage moved at a fast pace, with both offenses finding success and trading scores throughout the opening half. Central A&M remained within striking distance for most of the evening, but a missed two-point conversion and a turnover on downs in the second half allowed Meridian to create separation and hold on for the victory.
While the final score was secondary, both programs had the opportunity to evaluate young talent, build chemistry, and continue installing their systems before opening night. Coaches from both sidelines emphasized that the evening was about fine-tuning execution, cleaning up mistakes, and identifying areas that still need improvement before the regular season kicks off in just a few weeks.
With ideal football weather and a solid crowd on hand, the scrimmage served as a fitting conclusion to the summer schedule. As August arrives, both the Hawks and Raiders leave with valuable reps under their belts and their focus firmly set on the start of what promises to be an exciting 2026 football season across Central Illinois.