03/28/2024
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FAIRMONT – Cameron Sweat threw for 98 yards, and Fairmont capitalized on 5 East Bladen turnovers to claim a 20-8 Southeastern Athletic Conference football victory over the Eagles Friday.

The Tornadoes recovered an Eagle fumble on the 2nd play from scrimmage at the East Bladen 23 yard line. An 11-yard run by Fairmont’s Derrick Baker moved the ball to the four, but 2 plays later Eagle junior Jordan Mathis scooped up a Tornado fumble and raced 94 yards for a touchdown. East Bladen quarterback Javius Brooks tossed a pass for the 2-point conversion to his brother, Masion Brooks, that gave the Eagles an 8-0 lead at the 9:05 mark.

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Photos by Kenneth Armstrong

After Fairmont recovered the onside kick, the Tornadoes covered 50 yards in 9 plays. Armon Houston reeled off runs of 6 and 11 yards, and Sweat connected with Walker Chavis for 11 yards. Sweat fired a 15-yard pass to John Poe for the touchdown that trimmed the margin to 8-6 with 6:38 on the clock.

Senior Sherman Monroe bolted 13 yards to move the Eagles into Fairmont territory on their next possession, but the Tornadoes held on downs at the their own 47 yard line.

Baker pulled the ball away from an East Bladen ball-carrier on the next Eagle possession and galloped 45 yards for a touchdown. Houston ran the 2-point conversion for a 14-8 Fairmont lead 7:52 before halftime.

East Bladen was stopped on downs at the Fairmont 42 on their next possession. A 19-yard pass from Sweat to Chris Stevenson helped the Tornadoes reach the Eagle 21 yard line, but the East defense stiffened and senior Robert McKoy batted away a 4th down pass to end the threat.

Senior Tim McLean darted 12 yards, and sophomore Masion Brooks pounded the middle for 9 yards, but a pass interception by Fairmont’s Jaylen Davis at the Tornado 22 yard line halted the drive.

Baker started the 2nd half with 9 carries for 43 yards on a Fairmont drive that reached the East Bladen 8 yard line before being stopped on downs.

Monroe picked up 19 yards on 4 carries, and a personal foul penalty helped East Bladen move the ball out to the Eagle 43 yard line before another lost fumble gave the ball back to Fairmont.

A 41-yard punt by Baker backed the Eagles up to their own 2 yard line. Monroe netted 15 yards on 4 carries, and a personal foul penalty and a defensive holding penalty helped move the Eagles out to their own 46 yard line where Fairmont held on downs again.

Fairmont drove 41 yards in 7 plays. Chavis snagged a 12-yard pass from Sweat, and Houston reeled off runs of 8, 2 and 16 yards before scoring the touchdown on a 3-yard run that padded the lead to 20-8 with 4:30 left.

The Eagles mounted 1 final drive aided by a 14-yard run by Javius Brooks, but with time running out, a long pass from Brooks was picked off by Savonte McKeithan who returned the ball 80 yards to the Eagle 10 yard line on the final play of the game.

Monroe finished with 54 yards rushing on 12 carries to lead the Eagle offense. McLean ran 8 times for 34 yards, and Masion Brooks picked up 24 yards on 9 attempts. Javius Brooks completed 4 of 14 passes for 13 yards.

Houston gained 80 yards on 19 carries to lead Fairmont, and Baker rushed 12 times for 39 yards. Sweat completed 10 of 15 passes for 98 yards. Chavis snared 4 passes for 41 yards, and Stevenson caught 3 passes for 29 yards.

East Bladen outrushed the Tornadoes 131 yards to 124, but Fairmont held a 222-144 edge in total yards.

“All we can do is try to get better,” said Eagle Coach Robby Priest. “All of these games are tough.” The Eagles, now 1-1 in league play and 2-4 overall, will host Red Springs Friday night.

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