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Hobbton wanted to take command of Tuesday’s boys’ soccer game early, said East Bladen coach Jay Raynor. That’s exactly what the Wildcats did.

Hobbton scored three times in the first half and posted a 5-1 victory against the Eagles in the second round of the N.C. High School Athletic Association 1A playoffs.

Hobbton, the defending 1A Eastern champion, improved to 20-5-1 and advanced to a third-round meeting Thursday at home against No. 10 Vance Charter, 15-7.

East Bladen finished 11-7-2 after making the second round of the state playoffs for the seventh time in the past eight seasons.

Hobbton beat the Eagles 5-4 in a regular season game Sept. 9 at East Bladen. The Wildcats eliminated East Bladen 5-0 in the second round of the 2023 playoffs.

“Hobbton came out fierce and wanting to put the game away early,” Raynor said. “They were much different than the team we saw earlier in the season.”

Hobbton notched a goal in the opening minutes, then added a pair of scores before the intermission.

“That early goal put us on our heels,” Raynor said. “It took us some time to get settled into the game. By the time we got a handle on the game it was 0-3.

“Give Hobbton credit. They defended with all they had. They made numerous tackles, blocked a majority of our shots, and neutralized our long throw. Everything we threw at them was contested.”

East Bladen’s goal was scored by Tyler Eason, who took a pass from Gabril Algozy and beat a defender to push it home low and in the corner of the goal.

“We played hard. There isn’t a kid who touched the field that I can say didn’t bring their all,” Raynor said. “The difference was the desire to win/dominate in every facet of the game for Hobbton.

“The guys had a great season,” Raynor said. I’m not sure many had them competing for the league (coming in second) and being in the second round (of the playoffs). These guys pushed themselves and worked their tails off since July.”

East Bladen will lose seniors Chace Butler, Joseph Perez, Marco Ventura, Gabril Algozy, Colin King and Lukas Johnson.

NCHSAA Boys’ Soccer Playoffs

Second Round – Tuesday, November 12

1A
Hobbton 5, East Bladen 1
Pender 4, Henderson Collegiate 0

2A
Clinton 3, NCSSM: Durham 0
Roanoke Rapids 1, Heide Trask 0

Third Round – Thursday, November 14

1A
East Wake Academy at Pender

2A
Roanoke Rapids at Clinton