FAIRHOPE, Alabama - The Fairhope Pirates scored the first 20 points, but the Foley Lions roared back for a 34-27 win to capture the coveted Blue-Gold rivalry trophy on Friday at W.C. Majors Field.

Down 20-0 early in the second quarter, the Lions (5-2, 4-1) scored 21 unanswered points to take a 21-20 lead into the half. Foley outscored the Pirates 14-7 in the second half to take the crucial 6A Region 2 win.

Foley head coach Todd Watson said getting points on the board after the Pirates came out firing early was crucial.

"Just to get those first points on the board, the first touchdown we had that cut it to 20-7 was big," Watson said. "That kind of swung the momentum and we were able to capitalize on that."

The Pirates (5-2, 4-1) opened the game with an onside kick recovered by Nicholas Manuel at the Foley 40. Gabe Phillips threw to Nate Andrews for a 20-yard touchdown four plays later. The Pirates scored on a 25-yard screen from Phillips to Dave Kirksey on their next possession, then added two field goals from John Baxter to take a 20-0 lead.

Foley drove 71 yards for its first score on a 3-yard run from Cedrix Reed. Reed added another touchdown on a 5-yard score from a direct snap with 4:24 left in the first half. Chris Shepherd blocked a Fairhope punt on the next possession and Javian Davis recovered the block at the Pirate 25. Lion quarterback Maison Taylor connected with Volantai Adams for a 19-yard touchdown to put Foley up 21-20 at the break.

The Lions played the game with sophomore player Chris Dillon on their minds. Watson said that Dillon, who is in Memphis receiving treatment for leukemia, was an inspiration for his team.

"I just told them keep battling," Watson said. "We have had some adversity this week in finding out about Chris. We know he is up there battling, and he will go and battle every day then we should too. They battled back and fought hard and I'm really proud of their effort."

Foley extended its lead to 28-20 in the third quarter when Taylor connected with Demarcus Bingham for a 36-yard score. Fairhope answered on its next possession with a Phillips-to-Odom touchdown toss.

Foley scored its final touchdown when defensive lineman Nate Cole scooped up an errant option toss from Phillips and returned it for a touchdown late in the third quarter. Corey Christensen and B.T. Sanders had , Darius Paige had a fumble recovery and T.C. Catlett, Chantz Blackmon and Cole had sacks for the Lion defense.

Reed Shaw had a sack and Clayton King and Stephen Pierce had fumble recoveries for the Fairhope defense.

"I'm proud of our team, they played hard tonight," Fairhope head coach Adam Winegarden said. "We had a lot of people that had an opportunity to step up and compete and I am proud of them. The mistakes we made tonight were my fault. I am responsible for this program and anything we did to not win this game is on me. But I am proud of our kids and this program."

Andrews left the game after an apparent head injury in the first half, then appeared to faint on the sideline in the fourth quarter. He was taken out of the stadium by ambulance before the game ended.

"We don't know about Nate yet, we will wait and get a further medical evaluation before we know what's going on," Winegarden said.

Foley, who finished a five-game road trip on Friday, will host Northview for homecoming next Friday. Fairhope will visit Daphne on Friday.

PHOTO GALLERY: Fairhope High School Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony.