03/29/2024
Spread the love

East Bladen High SchoolEast Bladen capitalized on five Whiteville turnovers, and the Hines brothers, juniors Ethan and Eian, combined for 280 all-purpose yards as the Eagles posted a 29-8 non-conference football victory over the Wolfpack Friday night at East.

“The defense played lights out,” said Eagle Coach Robby Priest. “We wanted the shutout, but this is still something to build on.”

Whiteville gained only 54 total yards in the first half, and after a punt on their first possession, five of the next six Wolfpack possessions ended with a turnover.

Eian Hines led the Eagle runners with 118 yards rushing and a touchdown on 16 carries. Ethan Hines rushed 12 times for 55 yards and a touchdown, caught one pass for 25 yards and returned a punt 82 yards for a touchdown.

“It’s not ground and pound anymore,” stated Coach Priest. “They are quick and quicker. After that return, no one is going to kick to them anymore.”

After Whiteville went 3-and-out on their first possession, Ethan Hines fielded the Wolfpack punt on the run, juked past a couple of defenders and scooted 82 yards for a touchdown. Senior Jesus Ramos kicked the extra point for a 7-0 lead with 9:52 left in the quarter.

The Wolfpack responded with a 35-yard drive to the Eagle 14 yard line, but on third-down-and-17-to-go from the 21, quarterback Nydir Carr’s swing pass was intercepted by Eagle senior Nikita Owens in the left flat at the East Bladen 28 yard line.

Two plays later Eian Hines broke loose for a 39-yard run to the Wolfpack 37. Ethan Hines pulled through several tackles for 4 yards to convert a fourth-and-one at the Whiteville 29.

On fourth-down-and-19 from the Wolfpack 34, Eagle senior quarterback Tyquan McMillian sailed a high pass down the right side of the field, and Ethan Hines leaped above the Whiteville defender and made a outstanding catch for a 25-yard gain and a first down at the Wolfpack nine yard line.

“Our playmakers made big plays at crucial times,” said Coach Priest. For the game East Bladen converted 3 of 5 fourth down situations.

Two plays later Owens banged straight up the middle on a 9-yard touchdown run. An offside penalty against Whiteville shortened the conversion, and Eian Hines powered off the right side for the 2-point conversion run and a 15-0 lead 10:23 before halftime.

Three plays after the kick-off Whiteville fumbled, and Eagle junior Michael Walter scooped up the ball at the Whiteville 43 yard line. McMillian connected with senior tight end Zach Johnson on a 27-yard pass, and two plays later Ethan Hines dashed 24 yards around left end for a touchdown. Ramos added the extra point for a 22-0 lead with 6:42 left in the half.

Three plays later Carr fumbled, and East Bladen senior lineman Johnathan Melvin recovered at the Whiteville 40 yard line. However the Wolfpack defense held and stopped the Eagles on downs at the 41.

The Wolfpack converted a fourth-and-four for one first down, but Eagle junior defensive back Kyle Tatum stopped Whiteville’s Andrew Powell two yards short on a fourth down pass at the East Bladen 34. One play later the half ended.

On the first play from scrimmage of the second half, Eian Hines darted around right end , cut back and sped 59 yards for a touchdown. “ The offensive line really came out and made some blocks after halftime,” said Priest. “And we got a key block from a back on that play.”

Ramos booted the conversion for a 29-0 lead only 22 seconds into the third quarter.

A 13-yard run by Carr and a 17-yard burst by senior Nate Powell sparked a 45-yard Whiteville drive. However the Eagle defense dropped Powell for a 6-yard loss back to the East Bladen 16 yard line.

On the next play, a Carr pass bounced off a Wolfpack receiver at the 9 yard line and was snatched by Eagle senior Trevor Lloyd who returned the interception 33 yards.

Eian Hines picked up 5 yards to convert a fourth-and-2 play, but the Eagles eventually turned the ball over on downs at the Wolfpack 38 yard line.

The Wolfpack drove 35 yards to the Eagle 27 with the help of a pass interference penalty, but Carr’s pass into the end zone was intercepted by East Bladen sophomore Sincere Smith.

The Eagles picked up a pair of first downs, but an East Bladen fumble was recovered by Whiteville’s Roshad McNeill at the Wolfpack 43.

The Wolfpack responded with a 57-yard touchdown drive in five plays. Carr popped free off the left side and scampered 20 yards for the touchdown. Sophomore Phillip Powell who began the drive with a 20-yard run snagged a pass from Carr for the 2-point conversion that cut the Eagle lead to 29-8 with 2:50 left to play.

McMillian completed 2 of his 3 pass attempts for 52 yards. Owens finished with 41 yards rushing on 8 carries.
The Eagles held a 211-143 advantage in rushing yards and a 263-181 edge in total yards.

East Bladen will travel to St. Pauls next Friday night.

Scoring Summary
Whiteville                 0          0    0       8      –  8
East Bladen             7         15   7       0     – 29

EB – Ethan Hines 82 punt return (Jesus Ramos kick)
EB –  Nikita Owens run (Eian Hines run)
EB –  Ethan Hines 24 run (Ramos kick)
EB –  Eian Hines 59 run (Ramos kick)
W’vle – Nydir Carr 20 run (Phillip Powell pass from Carr)

Rushing: W’vle – Keshawn Bellamy 13-54, Carr 16-46, Nate Powell 7-21, Phillip Powell 5-22. EB – Eian Hines 16-118, Ethan Hines 12-55, Owens 8-41, Michael Walter 1-6, Ty McMillian 2-(-9).

Passing: W’vle – Carr 4-11-3, 38. EB – McMillian 2-3-0, 52.

Receiving: W’vle – Phillip Powell 1-12, Cameron Smith 1-11, Monchovia Gaffney 1-9, Andrew Powell 1-6. EB – Zach Johnson 1-27, Ethan Hines 1-25.

Records: Whiteville 0-2, East Bladen 2-0.

Share on social media using short code: https://bladencounty.org/?p=24040

About Author