03/28/2024
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East Bladen’s Eagles travel to Vinegar Hill Friday night to battle undefeated South Columbus for the Three Rivers Conference football championship.

Both Coach Robby Priest’s Eagles and Coach Russell Dove’s Stallions sport perfect 8-0 league records, and both teams will receive automatic Class 2A play-off bids when the football play-off brackets are seeded Saturday.

The two teams were scheduled to meet on September 14th, but Hurricane Florence caused a 2-week postponement of the season, and the games of Sept. 14 were rescheduled for this Friday.

“No one wants a hurricane with all the problems and hard times it caused, but the break came at a good time football-wise for us,” said Coach Priest. “Three of our running backs were hurt after the Whiteville game and probably couldn’t have played the next week.”

The Eagles have won nine games in a row since a season-opening 14-0 non-conference loss to Clinton. The streak started with a 21-16 win at North Brunswick then the key 31-28 victory over Whiteville in the conference opener.

East Bladen survived four turnovers in a 28-27 win at Fairmont, outlasted St. Pauls 35-24 and edged a strong Red Springs team 21-20.

Senior Eric Chancy leads the potent Eagle ground attack that racks up 256 rushing yards per game. Chancy has carried 163 times for 876 yards and 10 touchdowns. Junior Lawson Hester has rushed 110 times for 709 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Sophmore quarterback Zach Meares has completed 39 of 63 passes for 707 yards and 10 touchdowns with no interceptions. Senior Shy Pone is Meares’ favorite target with 17 receptions for 312 yards and 6 touchdowns. Pone is also a threat on special teams with 536 kick return yards.

The Stallions have won all ten of their games and survived close games against Red Springs 32-28 and Whiteville 38-32.

Senior Trequan Bellamy led the Stallion rushing attack against Whitevlle with 127 yards. Senior fullback Tate Lee rushed for 108 yards and a touchdown. Junior Rajon Graham ran for 80 yards and 2 touchdowns – including the clinching touchdown.

Senior Daquan Keel added 79 yards and a touchdown as the Stallions rushed for 410 yards in the game. Senior quarterback Brady Ivey completed 5 of 6 passes for 117 yards and a touchdown with one interception. Bellamy had a 45-yard touchdown catch, and Graham caught a 40-yard pass.

Coach Priest noted, “We had a very good practice Wednesday. How that will carry over to Friday night, we will have to see.”

Gametime is scheduled for 7:30 Friday night, but forecasts of possible rain in the area could be a problem.

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