03/28/2024
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East Bladen High SchoolEast Bladen travels to South Columbus Friday night to open the 2015 football campaign and renew an old Waccamaw Conference rivalry. The Eagles and Stallions have not met on the gridiron since the 2012 campaign which was the first for Coach Robby Priest at the helm of the Eagles.

In 2012 East Bladen defeated South Columbus 24-14 during the regular season, but lost to the Stallions 28-6 in the play-offs. The same scenario occurred in 2011 with the Eagles winning 36-21 during the regular season, but dropping the play-off game 10-0.

In 2010 South Columbus won the regular season game 35-21, but lost to the Eagles 26-12 in the play-offs. That Lenon Fisher coached team went on to play Tarboro in the Eastern Class 2-A Finals. In 2009 the Eagles defeated South Columbus 27-14 en route to a 14-1 Eastern runner-up finish.

Last season the Eagles posted a 10-3 record and shared the Four County Conference championship with Clinton and Wallace-Rose Hill. That team racked up over 5,500 yards led by record-setting halfback Farrell Murchison who ran for 2,491 yards and 37 touchdowns, but has now departed via graduation.

Senior Tyquan McMillian who threw for 463 yards and 5 touchdowns a year ago returns to direct the Eagle offense. Junior twin brothers, Ethan Hines and Eian Hines, man the halfback positions, and senior Nikita Owens will start at fullback.

Ethan Hines ran for 1,223 yards and 12 touchdowns last season, while Eian Hines caught ten passes for 291 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Offensively the Eagles will still operate out of the wing-T. “We are still working on the spread though, tweaking some things,” said Coach Priest. “We are going to run a little bit of both. It also gives our opponents something else to have to prepare for.”

The tight end will be senior Zach Johnson, while sophomore Sincere Smith will split out at the other end and be used as a wing at times.

The Eagle offensive line features: tackles Lahkeyd Lesane (a 305-pound sophomore) and junior Raykwan Davis (a 250-lb transfer from Alabama); guards Ethan White (245-lb. senior) and Joel Johnson (280-lb senior); and center Ladreveous Baldwin (a 275-lb. senior).

“We are getting better,” said Coach Priest. “I am really pleased with the offensive line. The defense is starting to play downhill, really swarming to the tackles. We had two really good days of practice to start the week.”

The East Bladen defensive front is composed of: ends Chris Cromartie (a 245-lb. senior) and Michael Walter (a 190-lb. junior); and tackles (Lesane, Johnathan Melvin (a 295-lb. senior) and Caleb Strait (a 285-lb. sophomore).

The Eagle linebackers are: Owens, Derrick Burney (a 230-lb. junior), Xavia McDowell (a 250-lb sophomore) and 165-lb. sophomore Bernard Robinson.

Junior Kyle Tatum, a pre-season All-State selection, and 160-lb. senior Trevor Lloyd are the cornerbacks, and Smith will be the Eagle safety.

As for Friday night’s opener; The South Columbus speed concerns Coach Priest.  “They are athletic and physical,” said Coach Priest. “That number 23 (Dennis Leggett) and 21 (Jeffery Daniels) are scary.  If you miss a tackle, they’re gone.” Leggett ran for 1,434 yards and 10 touchdowns last year ago.

Senior Chase Gore who threw for 740 yards and 7 touchdowns is expected to start at quarterback for the Stallions.

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