East Bladen football team robbed during game

BLADEN COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — After the East Bladen Eagles were knocked out of the state playoffs following a one point loss at South Columbus Friday night, Eagles football coach Robby Priest found out the game wasn’t the only thing his team lost.

“I heard a little commotion up there and I kind of rushed up there to make sure nothing was going wrong,” Coach Priest said. “I got there and our guys said ‘Coach Priest all of our stuff is gone’.”

During the game, someone broke into the East Bladen locker room and stole thousands of dollars of items.

After such a heart breaking loss, East Bladen’s principal Dr. Jason Wray said this made things even worse.

“To come into the locker room and receive that second crushing blow, it was a little bit much for high school students to take on at one time.”

When word got out, members of the Elizabethtown Presbyterian Church, including Rev. David Holloway, wanted to get involved.

“We want to do what we can to support that team and be an example to them that we’re going to stand with them in this loss.”

The church is raising money to help compensate for the loss these players felt Friday night.

Principal Wray says seeing the community come together really takes the sting out of these bad events.

“It’s really heartwarming and sobering to see the community come in like that,” Dr. Wray said. “I didn’t expect them to come and react so quickly. But the moment they found out, they moved things and got things in motion to help the team out.

For now, Rev. Holloway, Dr. Wray and Coach Priest are sharing the message to move forward and learn from this.

“Things happen for a reason, whether good or bad and we’ll find some meaning out of it.”

Those who might like to help may earmark funds for EBHS Football Team and mail to Elizabethtown Presbyterian Church PO Box 576 Elizabethtown, NC  28337 or visit www.etownpresby.org and give online, listing EBHS Football in the notes section.