It was a similar story for the Warrenton football team in Friday night’s 26-17 loss to Orchard Farm.

The Warriors gave up a pair of big plays defensively in the first half and failed to execute in the red zone while giving up their shot at a shared Gateway Athletic Conference North title.

“We had made those same mistakes the last few weeks, and it just came back to bite us Friday night,” Head Coach Steve McDowell said. “We just didn’t execute very well on both sides of the ball. We had our opportunities, but we didn’t take advantage of them. We had penalties at key times that didn’t need to be made, and it cost us the ball game.”

Down by seven late in the fourth quarter, the Warrenton offense drove deep into Orchard Farm territory before a Cameron Richardson fumble erased the scoring threat.

Orchard Farm forced a safety after pinning Warrenton deep in its own territory in the game’s final seconds.

“That ties the ball game up,” McDowell said of the potential touchdown. “Being on the 3-yard line there we were going in, and those things are tough to watch. You put yourself in positions to win these ball games, but we just haven’t been able to do it.”

In the first half, senior linebacker Jacob Null intercepted a pass to put the Warriors on the Orchard Farm 18-yard line.

The offense stalled and Zac Blackwood missed an eventual field-goal attempt.

Orchard Farm responded with a 57-yard touchdown run on the ensuing drive, extending its lead to 14-7.

The Warriors (4-4) found themselves in the red zone again late in the first half, and quarterback Brenden Smith found wide receiver Caleb Strauss for a perceived game-tying touchdown pass.

Strauss was called for offensive pass interference, however, and Warrenton settled for a field goal.

“That was a questionable call after looking at it on film,” McDowell said. “I didn’t see it, to be honest with you. The flag was dropped on the 10-yard line and the ball was caught in the end zone, but those are judgment calls.”

The mistakes continued in the second half, as a Smith touchdown run was negated by a holding penalty.

Richardson rebounded for a 48-yard run of his own to tie the game at 17 in the third quarter.

Richardson finished with 123 yards on 17 carries.

Smith added 119 yards on 22 attempts.

“We ran the ball well, but we’ve got to get things figured out inside the 20-yard line,” McDowell said. “I’d rather take the six than the three points, but we’ve got to get something. If we can get those things figured out, we’ll be OK.”

Devon Norman recorded Warrenton’s only sack, and Null led the team with eight tackles.

The Warriors struggled to contain Orchard Farm running back Caleb Grimes, who finished with 188 yards.

The Eagles rushed for 325 yards total.

“The majority of the night we just didn’t play well defensively,” McDowell said. “We had several missed tackles and gave them plenty of opportunities. We just didn’t play well, and that’s my responsibility. I didn’t have these kids prepared to go out and play the football game Friday night.”

The Warriors finish their regular season at Fort Zumwalt East Friday at 7 p.m.