In the rematch of a 2014 second-round play-off game, East Bladen’s Eagles entertain Farmville Central Friday night at 7:30 in the opening round of the NCHSAA Class 2A Football Play-offs.
“They are huge …and athletic,” said Eagle Coach Robby Priest. Anchoring the Jaguar line is 6-foot-8, 340-pound Alvin Grizzard, a 2-way starter at center and defensive tackle. Senior guard/defensive tackle Jaqwuez Norman weighs in at 274 pounds and stands 6-3.
Workhorse senior back T. J. Willoughby carried 38 times for 248 yards and 2 touchdowns last week in the Jaguars 45-14 victory over North Johnston. Senior Tyreke Tyson, a 194-pounder who doubles as a middle linebacker, mans the other backfield spot.
Senior quarterback Brad Shackleford, a transfer from New Hanover, directs the Jaguar offense and his favorite receiver is speedy junior Kameron McNeill. Another receiving option is big tight end Keziah Everett, a 6-2, 300-pound sophmore.
Senior Ethan Hines leads the East Bladen ground game with 1,374 yards and 14 touchdowns rushing. Hines ran for 242 yards and 2 touchdowns in last week’s 28-14 victory over Heide Trask.
Junior Xavier Wooten was moved to fullback 3 weeks ago and responded with 186 yards and 5 touchdowns rushing in a 53-29 victory over Union. For the season Wooten has totaled 639 yards and 10 touchdowns rushing.
Junior quarterback Quinton Bedsole has thrown for 360 yards and 9 touchdowns. Ethan Hines has caught 9 passes for 209 yards and 6 touchdowns. His twin brother, Eian Hines, has 5 receptions for 130 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Wooten tops the Eagle defense with 70 tackles, and 6-3, 270-pound junior Caleb Strait has 65 tackles and 5.5 sacks. Ethan Hines has made 63 tackles, 300-pound junior Lakeyed Lesane has been credited with 62 tackles and 260-pound junior Xavia McDowell follows with 59 tackles. Sophmore James Higgins has 4 sacks and 55 tackles.
Sophmore Pierce Melvin has converted 26 of 32 extra point kicks.
East Bladen finished third in the Four County 1A/2A behind perennial powers Clinton and Wallace-Rose Hill. Farmville Central placed fifth in the Eastern Plains 2A behind SouthWest Edgecombe, Wilson Beddingfield, North Johnston and Washington.
The Jaguars outscored East Bladen 40-35 in that 2014 play-off game. Last season Eastern Plains champion SouthWest Edgecombe eliminated the Eagles 41-21.
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