Team of the Week: East Bladen football builds momentum heading into homecoming
ELIZABETHTOWN, NC (WWAY) — The East Bladen Eagles are flying high as WWAY Team of the Week after a 40-35 win over North Duplin on Friday night, keeping them undefeated in conference play. The victory improved East Bladen to 3-0 in conference play and put the team at the top of the standings as they prepare to host East Columbus for homecoming Friday.
“I like how we started off. Started off on a good note,” East Bladen head football coach Robby Priest said.
The Eagles came out firing, jumping out to a 20-0 lead before North Duplin battled its way back into the game during the second quarter. Priest said watching that early lead disappear provided a valuable lesson for his team.
“A get after it mentality, keep a team down, don’t let them back up. You got them down, keep them down that attitude, that demeanor,” Priest said.
East Bladen’s one-two punch in the backfield played a major role in helping the Eagles secure the win.
“If they stop one then there’s another one of me that’s just how I see it,” joked junior running back and defensive back Jaden Lewis.
“Yeah we feed off of each other I feel like we both bring the energy,” added senior running back and defensive back Riley Collins.
Lewis found the end zone four times, rushing for three touchdowns and catching another through the air.
“ It’s a really big team effort. Without the line, we wouldn’t be able to do the things we can do,” Lewis said.
Collins made his presence felt almost immediately, breaking free for a 33-yard touchdown following the opening kickoff. He finished the night with 189 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
“ They just bring a lot to the team that, that, coaches, we can tell it, we can talk it, but they go out there and lead by example…. So that’s a little crutch that, that maybe we have this year. It’s been a blessing, so hopefully they continue to keep it up,” Priest said.
While East Bladen’s offense put 40 points on the scoreboard, the Eagles’ defense also delivered key plays and stops when they were needed most.
“ I do like the plays that were made, big time situations. I’d just like to see a little bit more consistency, better execution on that side of the ball. But things are trending up,” Priest said.
With East Bladen undefeated in conference play, the Eagles now have their sights set on a bigger goal: a conference championship.
“ Everybody wanna be conference champions this year, ’cause we ain’t have the opportunity to have that last year. And I feel like that’s a big milestone before playoffs,” Lewis said.
The Eagles sit at 5-2 overall as they prepare to host the East Columbus Gators for homecoming Friday. Heading into the matchup, Priest said the message to his team is clear: win the football game and continue to get better.
