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Photos by Kenneth Armstrong
LUMBERTON – Scotland’s offense proved to be as strong as advertised as the Fighting Scots scored on their first four possessions en route to a 28-0 victory over East Bladen Wednesday night in the Battle of the Carolinas football scrimmage.
East Bladen moved the ball into Scotland territory on both of their first two possessions, but an interception and procedure penalties ended the threats.
Senior Eian Hines bolted 9 yards on the Eagles first play, and James Higgins picked up the first down with a 6-yard carry. Higgins gained 5 more, before Ethan Hines dashed 21 yards to the Scotland 36 yardline on a counterplay.
However, a procedure penalty bogged down the drive and on third down, Scotland’s Amir McNeill intercepted an Eagle pass and returned the ball 61 yards to the East Bladen 4-yard line.
Scotland’s star running back Zamir White bulled into the end zone one play later from 3 yards out.
Bernard Robinson reeled off runs of 7 and 3 yards to start the next Eagle possession. Ethan Hines galloped 15 yards, and Robinson tacked on 3 more as East Bladen reached the Scot 41 yardline. Another procedure penalty and an incomplete pass led to a fourth down at the 44, and quarterback Quinton Bedsole was sacked by Keante McNair to stop the drive.
Quarterback Sergio Gibson picked up 15 yards, before White broke loose on a 35-yard touchdown run.
The Scots who have won 5 straight Southeastern 4A Conference Championships scored on the final play of the half as Gibson threw a 25-yard touchdown pass for a 21-0 lead.
Donta Green ran for 26 yards to start Scotland’s first drive of the second half then caught a 46-yard touchdown pass from Gibson.
“It went about like I expected,” said Eagle Coach Robby Priest. “They are really good. They roll up with 75 players and we’ve got 28. They have more coaches than we have players.”
Ethan Hines carried 6 times for 48 yards to lead the East Bladen offense. Robinson gained 26 yards on 8 rushes. Caleb Strait and A. J. Winn had tackles for losses to lead the Eagle defense.
For Scotland White ran 3 times for 39 yards and 2 touchdowns. Gibson completed all 4 of his passes for 118 yards and 2 touchdowns.
“Overall I was pleased,” said Coach Priest. “We moved the ball early, but we got a little tired toward the end. They are switching out 11 fresh bodies, while we have 8 going both ways.”
East Bladen will host their own East Bladen Jamboree at Lenon Fisher Stadium Friday at 6 p.m. with West Bladen, South Robeson and West Columbus participating.
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