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ELIZABETHTOWN – South Columbus scored a fourth quarter touchdown then ran out the clock to edge East Bladen 14-13 in an early Three Rivers Conference showdown between unbeaten teams Friday night.
The Stallions had edged the Eagles 42-41 in the third round of last season’s Class 2A play-offs, and the two teams were rated No. 1 and No. 2 in the Three Rivers coaches pre-season poll.
The Eagles drove 41 yards on their first possession of the game as seniors Xavia McDowell and Xavier Wooten ripped off back-to-back ten-yard runs. However an Eagle fumble was recovered by the Stallions Dalton Worley at the South 23 yardline.
After a South Columbus 3-and-out, Wooten picked up a pair of first downs with runs of 6 and 17 yards, but the drive was stopped on downs at the Stallion 22 yardline.
The Stallions recorded their initial first down of the game on the first play of the second quarter and moved 44 yards to the East Bladen 31 yardline. However the first South pass of the game was intercepted by Eagle senior Sincere Smith at the goalline.
Senior Davonta McIver recovered a Stallion fumble to give the Eagles the ball at their own 49. Senior quarterback Quinton Bedsole connected with Wooten in the right flat and Wooten bowled over a pair of defenders to pick up 23 yards.
Wooten converted a pair of fourth down plays with runs of 2 and 7 yards to keep the drive alive, before junior James Higgins dove into the end zone from 2 yards out for the touchdown. Junior Pierce Melvin booted the extra point for a 7-0 East lead with only 13 seconds remaining in the half.
South Columbus’ Brady Ivey intercepted an Eagle pass on the third play of the second half. On the next play Trequan Bellamy popped free around the left side and raced 42 yards for a touchdown. Adolfo Cardenas kicked the tying extra point with 10:50 left in the third quarter.
The Eagles bounced back with a 6-minute; 15-play drive that covered 56 yards. Wooten ran for 26 yards in 6 carries on the drive, and Smith circled left end out of the ‘Wildcat’ formation for 11 yards and a first down. However a fourth down pass from the South 15 yardline fell incomplete.
After a Stallion 3-and-out, the Eagles flew 51 yards in just 3 plays. Senior Trevares Carter scooted 20 yards around right end. On the next play Wooten bolted through the middle for 30 yards and a touchdown. The extra point kick caromed wide off the left upright, and East Bladen led 13-7 with 1:45 on the third period clock.
The Stallions responded with a 67-yard drive in 9 plays. Bellamy started left and reversed his field to the right to pick up 19 yards and start the march. Quarterback Robby Spencer pulled out of an apparent sack and gained 11 yards on a third down play.
On the next Stallion third down play, senior Griffin Hanna took an apparent interception away from a leaping Eagle defensive back for a 31-yard completion that put South at the East two yardline. Two plays later Spencer scored on the keeper, and Cardenas drilled the extra point for a 14-13 lead with 8:48 left to play.
The Eagle offense went 3-and-out, and South Columbus ground out 3 first downs that consumed the final 6:56 of the game clock.
‘It was a tight contest,” said Eagle Coach Robby Priest. “A few little breakdowns, but the defense played well. It was hot and muggy out there, and both teams were tired at the end. We will make some changes and get ready for next week.”
Wooten rushed for 136 yards on 25 carries and caught the 23 yard pass from Bedsole to lead the Eagle offense. Carter finished with 36 yards on 8 attempts. East Bladen held a 229-162 edge in rushing yards and a 252-192 advantage in total yards.
Bellamy gained 95 yards on 14 rushes for the Stallions.
The Eagles, now 3-1, travel to Red Springs next Friday.
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