ELIZABETHTOWN – East Bladen exploded for 28 first quarter points and rolled to a 47-0 Three Rivers Conference football victory over West Columbus Friday night.
The Eagle defense completely shutdown the Viking offense limiting West Columbus to zero net yards and only 3 first downs – 2 by penalty – in the game.
“We are getting a little better about swarming to the ball,” said East Bladen Coach Robby Priest. “Playing a little more aggressive and taking more pride in shutting down other teams.”
After the East defense forced a 3-and-out, a Viking punt lost 3 yards and gave the Eagles possession at the WC41 yardline. Senior Xavia McDowell plowed through the middle for 7 yards, and senior Xavier Wooten broke loose for a 30-yard run.
Wooten capped the drive with a 4-yard touchdown run. Junior Pierce Melvin booted the extra point for a 7-0 lead with 9:08 on the clock.
West Columbus fumbled the ensuing kick-off and sophmore Tayshaun Berkeley recovered for the Eagles at the Viking 39 yardline. Senior quarterback Sincere Smith tossed a short pass to McDowell who turned it into a 20-yard gain.
Senior Trevares Carter picked up ten yards, and Wooten dashed into the end zone from 9 yards out on the next play. Melvin tacked on the extra point for a 14-0 lead at the 6:55 mark.
Another Viking punt went nowhere and gave East possession at the West Columbus 19 yardline. Junior Eric Chancy bolted 12 yards on the next play then dashed 7 yards for the touchdown. Melvin converted the extra point for a 21-0 Eagle lead with 4:23 remaining in the period.
After another short Viking punt gave East the ball at the West Columbus 32 yardline, junior Josh McKoy darted 29 yards to the three, and McDowell powered into the end zone on the next play. Melvin connected on his fourth straight conversion for a 28-0 lead 1:47 before the quarter break.
Smith returned the next Viking punt for an apparent touchdown, but it was nullified by a penalty. McDowell bulldozed through the line for 22 yards to highlight the 41-yard Eagle drive that ended with Chancy dashing 6 yards for the touchdown. Melvin booted the extra point for a 35-0 lead with 7:59 left in the half.
East Bladen’s Tyvon Townsend recovered a Viking fumble at the West Columbus 25 yardline, but a pair of holding penalties backed the Eagles up and Melvin’s 45-yard field goal attempt fell short.
Smith received the second-half kick-off and raced 67 yards for an East Bladen touchdown. The conversion kick was blocked and the Eagles led 41-0 thirteen seconds into the second half.
With the clock running continuously the Eagles mounted a 56-yard, 11-play drive that produced their final touchdown. Junior James Higgins highlighted the drive with runs of 24 and 22 yards, before senior Devonta McIver banged into the end zone from 2 yards out. The Eagles took a knee on the extra point with 7:28 remaining to play.
The Eagles rushed for 237 yards and had 257 yards of total offense. Higgins led East Bladen with 52 yards rushing on 3 carries. Wooten ran 4 times for 48 yards and 2 touchdowns. McDowell carried 4 times for 34 yards and a touchdown. Chancy rushed 4 times for 31 yards and 2 touchdowns.
East Bladen was plagued by 8 penalties for 90 yards.
The Eagles improved to 3-1 in league play and 5-1 overall. East Bladen will host Fairmont Friday night.
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