03/28/2024
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East Bladen’s Eagles continue their march through the NCHSAA Class 2A Football Play-offs Friday night when they make the 100-mile trip to Ayden-Grifton to battle the Chargers who are the No. 2 seed in the Class 2A East.

Coach Paul Cornwell’s Chargers won the Eastern Carolina 2A Conference and hold victories over Farmville Central (41-13) and Kinston (34-28).  Their losses were 44-8 to undefeated West Craven, 54-42 to Class 4A Greenville Conley and 42-14 to undefeated Southern Nash.

“They beat Kinston and Kinston was in the state championship game last year,” said East Bladen Coach Robby Priest. “They look good on film. They are big up front and spread it out on offense. “

The size up front is provided by junior Davon Diggs (6-2, 305 pounds), senior Cameron Moye (6-0, 295), junior Antrevius Harper (5-8, 285) and senior Zack Swanson, (6-3, 265).

Senior running backs Modica Whitehurst (178 pounds) and Brandon Hardy (160 pounds) have both run for over 1,500 yards and headline the Charger spread offense. “Those two are track stars,” said Coach Priest. “We have to tackle well, because if they get by you they are gone.”

In last week’s 46-32 opening round win over Red Springs, Hardy ran for 220 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Whitehurst scored 4 touchdowns and finished with 149 yards rushing.

Despite lining up in the spread, Ayden-Grifton has attempted only 14 total passes in their last 3 games. Stocky senior Jordan Collins and sophmore Blake McLawhorn have split time at quarterback with McLawhorn attempting most of the passes. Six-three senior D. J. Suggs and senior Jamil Waters head the receiving corps.

Senior running back Ethan Hines rushed for 294 yards and 5 touchdowns in East Bladen’s 62-42 victory over Farmville Central last week. Ethan Hines also caught a 12-yard touchdown pass. Junior fullback Xavier Wooten ran for 116 yards and a touchdown in the win over Farmville.

Ethan Hines has now piled up 1,666 yards and 19 touchdowns rushing for the season. Wooten has run for 756 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Eian Hines, Ethan’s twin brother, caught 3 passes for 102 yards and a touchdown against Farmville. For the season Eian has caught 8 passes for 232 yards and 4 touchdowns. Ethan has 10 catches for 221 yards and 7 touchdowns.

Junior quarterback Quinton Bedsole threw for 114 yards and 2 touchdowns last week and for the season has completed 21 of 54 passes for 474 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Wooten leads the defense with 75 tackles, followed by 260-pound junior Xavia McDowell and 270-pound Caleb Strait who have 70 tackles each. Ethan Hines is right behind them with 69 tackles, and 300-pound junior Lahkeyd Lesane has 67 tackles.

Senior defensive back Kyle Tatum has made 54 tackles, intercepted 2 passes and recovered 3 fumbles. Strait leads the team with 5.5 sacks, and sophmore linebacker James Higgins has 4 sacks and an interception return for a touchdown.

Sophmore Pierce Melvin has connected on 32 of 39 extra points. Ethan Hines has returned 2 kick-offs and one fumble for touchdowns.

The winner of the East Bladen/Ayden-Grifton game will play the South Columbus/Fairmont winner in the third round.

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