03/28/2024
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RED SPRINGS – Senior Xavier Wooten ran for 129 yards and 3 touchdowns, and East Bladen’s defense completely shutdown Red Springs offense as the Eagles rolled past the Red Devils 34-6 Friday night in Three Rivers Conference football action.

Red Springs star running back Lee McLean came in averaging over 115 yards per game, but the Eagle defense limited him to only 12 yards on 13 attempts. The Red Devils were held to a negative 3 net yards rushing and only 17 total yards thanks to quarterback sacks and tackles for loss.

“The defense played pretty good,” said East Bladen Coach Robby Priest.

Offensively the Eagles went with a new look with senior Sincere Smith moving from receiver to quarterback. “He is a dual threat,” said Coach Priest. “He had some great plays tonight and some growing pains.”

Smith connected on 2 of 4 passes for 27 yards and a touchdown and also suffered an interception. He carried the ball 7 times for 22 yards.

Led by Wooten the Eagles piled up 285 yards rushing and 312 yards of total offense but were plagued by four turnovers – 3 fumbles and an interception. East Bladen ground out 27 first downs while allowing only four to the Red Devils.

Wooten capped the first East Bladen scoring drive banging into the end zone from a yard out with 5:46 left in the first quarter. Junior Pierce Melvin booted the extra point and the Eagles led 7-0.

Wooten powered across the goalline again from a yard out to end the second Eagle touchdown drive 10:46 before halftime. Melvin nailed the conversion and East Bladen stretched their margin to 14-0.

The Eagles beat the clock for their third touchdown of the half. Smith fired a 14-yard scoring pass to Adonis Avery with only 9 seconds remaining before intermission. Melvin tacked on the extra point kick for a 21-0 halftime lead.

Wooten bolted 6 yards for his third touchdown with 4:12 left in the third period to pad the Eagle lead to 27-0.

The Red Devils’ Nichorie West took the ensuing kick-off and raced 92 yards for the only Red Springs touchdown of the night. The extra point run failed and East led 27-6.

Junior Eric Chancy darted 2 yards for the final Eagle touchdown midway the final quarter. Melvin connected on the extra point for the final 34-6 margin.

Chancy finished the game with 76 yards rushing on 11 attempts. Fullback Xavia McDowell added 40 yards rushing on 5 carries and also caught a 13-yard pass from Smith.

Smith also intercepted a Red Devil pass from his defensive back position.

East Bladen improves to 4-1 overall and 2-1 in league play. East Bladen will host West Columbus Friday.

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