After being plagued by injuries over the last 3 weeks, East Bladen’s Eagles hope to be almost at full strength just in time for a visit from Four County Conference co-leader Wallace-Rose Hill.
Playing with a completely revamped backfield, the Eagles racked up 535 total yards in a 49-0 rout of Pender and 456 total yards in a 35-7 win at Heide Trask last week.
Junior Kyle Tatum rushed for 368 yards and 7 touchdowns in the 2 games. Sophmore Xavia McDowell ran for 206 yards and a touchdown in the 2 wins, and sophmore Bernard Robinson gained 112 yards and scored a touchdown at Trask.
“We’ve had 3 good days of practice this week,” said East Bladen Coach Robby Priest. “Hopefully, everybody’s ready. I will know more about 7:25 Friday. Ty (McMillian) is definitely not available.”
McMillian who started the first 6 games at quarterback will be replaced by senior Alex Coates. Coates started in the 2 wins over Pender and Trask and completed 6 of 9 passes for 190 yards and 2 touchdowns.
The Hines brothers, juniors Eian and Ethan, and senior Nikita Owens are all expected to be ready to go Friday. Before missing the last 2 games, Ethan Hines had rushed for 656 yards and 9 touchdowns and had returned two kick-offs and one punt for touchdowns.
Eian Hines ran for 535 yards and 6 touchdowns in the first 5 Eagle wins. Owens has rushed for 332 yards and 4 touchdowns, while Tatum has gained 494 yards and scored 10 touchdowns – one on an interception return.
Senior Zachary Johnson leads the East receivers with 6 catches for 155 yards and 2 touchdowns. Sophmore Sincere Smith has 4 receptions for 150 yards and a touchdown.
Junior Derrick Burney (52 tackles) and Chris Cromartie (51 tackles, 5 sacks) lead the Eagle defense. McDowell has 43 tackles, and junior Michael Walter (36 tackles, 5 sacks) are other defensive stand-outs.
Coach Joey Price’s Wallace-Rose Hill squad won the Class 1-AA state title last year and defeated East Bladen 14-6 in a slugfest at Wallace. Two years ago the Eagles outscored the Bulldogs 36-28 in a game that was decided on an interception in the final seconds in the end zone.
“They have got a bunch of athletes,” said Coach Priest. “They are well-coached. We have got to show up ready for a big game.”
Seniors Johnnie Glaspie and Keyshawn Canady, a pair of East Carolina commits, lead the Bulldog attack. Glaspie has rushed for 904 yards and 12 touchdowns, while Canady has run for 524 yards and 9 touchdowns. Canady and Glaspie have 2 kick-off return touchdowns each.
Junior quarterback Aliza Carter has thrown for 299 yards and 4 touchdowns. Senior Alex Lisane has 6 receptions for 127 yards and 3 touchdowns. Junior Yahir Cano has made 34 of 35 extra point kicks and 3 of 3 field goal attempts.
Sophmores Desmond Newkirk and Quavion Baysden lead the Bulldog defense with 67 tackles each. Baysden has returned 2 pass interceptions for touchdowns. Sophmore Javonte Williams (61 tackles) and senior Josiah Bryant (59 tackles) are other Bulldog defensive leaders.
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