NEWTON GROVE–East Bladen survived a 289 yard and four touchdown performance from Hobbton’s Javarus Johnson to defeat the Wildcats 46-40 in football Friday night.
Both teams had no trouble moving the ball. Hobbton got on the board first as Braxton McLamb found Richard Simpson for a nine-yard touchdown pass to give Hobbton the early lead. Johnson converted the two-pointer to put the Wildcats up 8-0.
With 9:55 in the second quarter, Ryne Priest hit Dakota Schmale for a 28-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 8-8. Riley Collins converted the two-point conversion. Schmale made his presence known on defense with an 89-yard interception to give the Eagles a 14-6 lead.
Hobbton responded with Johnson scoring on a 17-yard run to put the Wildcats ahead 16-14 at the half. Johnson also converted the two-point conversion with 5:56 remaining in the half.
In the third quarter, Jaden Lewis found the endzone from 42-yard out to put the Eagles back on top 22-16. Priest passed to Schmale for the two-point conversion.
Hobbton’s Jonson then countered with a touchdown and a two-point conversion. East Bladen responded with another Collins’ touchdown for a 30-24 lead. Javarus Johnson scored his third touchdown with another two-point conversion to give Hobbton a 38-32 lead. Collins found the endzone again for the Eagles and Priest passed to Schmale in the endzone for another two-point conversion.
After three quarters. East Bladen led Hobbton 38-32. With 9:22 remaining in the game, Collins found the endzone for a fourth time to put the Eagles ahead 46-32. Johnson scored his fourth touchdown on the night and converted the two-pointer to cut the Eagles’ advantage to 46-40 with 5:13 remaining in the contest. The Eagles held on for the win.
Riley Collins rushed for 202 yards and three touchdowns on the night. Jaden Lewis rushed for 90 yards and one touchdown. East Bladen’s Ryne Priest threw for 76 yards and a touchdown. East Bladen is now 2-0 in the Carolina Conference and 4-2 on the season. The Eagles will host North Duplin (0-1, 3-1) on Oct. 2. Hobbton (1-1, 1-5) will host Union (0-1, 3-2).
