The Community Youth Football League kicked off the 2014 season Saturday morning, as 18 teams battling 90-degree heat took to the gridiron in Washington and Chocowinity.

The Washington Daily News CYFL Game of the Week featured the Washington Raiders and Belhaven Bulldogs out of the 8U Division. Riding their elusive running back for most of the game, the Raiders defeated the Bulldogs, 20-12, to lock up their first win of the season.

The game got off to a defensive start with both teams being held scoreless through the first quarter of play, making for a quick eight minutes.

But in the second quarter, Washington forced a fumble on the second play of the drive, giving quarterback Henry Woolard prime field position on the 14-yard line.

It took just two plays for Raiders tailback Rashad Little to capitalize, as he juked out two defenders and found his way into the end zone for six.

Belhaven would respond on the following drive, however. A botched kickoff put the Bulldogs on the Raider 29-yard line. Wright Collins was able to get to quarterback Ethan Cerda for a sack, but a direct snap to Quayshawn Artis resulted in a 29-yard touchdown run on the last play of the half to tie the game.

Little and the Raider offense controlled the tempo throughout the second half. The Washington running back notched a 28-yard run on the first play from scrimmage and a 17-yard touchdown run on the second.

But another direct snap to Artis resulted in a 30-yard run and an eventual touchdown to get Belhaven back into the game, cutting the score to 14-12.

Arits’ run was the last time Belhaven found the end zone, as the Washington defense stepped up down the stretch. Collins picked up another sack and the Raiders would force another fumble.

Little put the exclamation on the game with a 40-yard touchdown run that gave Washington a 20-12 victory over Belhaven.

Little finished with 128 yards and three touchdowns on 11 carries, while his counter part, Artis, ended his day with 72 yards and two touchdowns on six carries.

The Bulldogs will face the Washington Panthers next week in Belhaven. The Eagles will take on the Chocowinity Indians.