CERRO GORDO–East Bladen overpowered West Columbus 30-14 in football on Friday night.
East Bladen used a strong rushing attack to defeat West Columbus 30-14. Jaden Lewis rushed for 225 yards and a pair of touchdowns while Riley Collins contributed 157 yards rushing and two touchdowns.
The Eagles scored with 48 seconds left in the first quarter with a safety. The Eagles took the free kick and converted the score with a 5-yard touchdown run by Jaden Lewis. The two-point conversion made the score 10-0 in favor of the Eagles with 9:47 left in the second quarter.
East Bladen took its next drive and added to the lead with a two-yard Riley Collins run to make the score East Bladen 16, West Columbus 8. The two-point conversion failed.
DJ Graham then led the Vikings down the field and put the Vikings on the score board with a 10-yard touchdown run. Graham threw the two-point conversion to Xavier Savage to cut the lead to 16-8 going into the half.
Riley Collins added to the Eagles’ lead with a two-yard touchdown run. Ryne Priest threw the two-point conversion to Lakota Schmale to push the East Bladen advantage to 24-8 with 5:09 remaining in the third quarter. West Columbus added a score in the fourth quarter but it was not enough as the Eagles held on for the 30-14 victory.
East Bladen goes to 1-0 in the Carolina Conference and 3-2 on the season. The Eagles will travel to Hobbton (1-0, 1-4) on Friday, when West Columbus (0-1, 1-3) goes to Lakewood (1-3).
