AYDEN — By the length of about two footballs, East Bladen’s season continued Friday after an edge-of-your-seat 28-21 overtime win over Ayden-Grifton in the second round of the state’s Class 2-A East Region playoffs.
The Eagles got 163 yards and three touchdowns rushing on 30 carries from Ethan Hines, but the game-winner came on an 11-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Quinton Bedsole to fullback Xavia McDowell in the OT.
“Coach Smith told me before the game that he (McDowell) was going to have a big game,” said East Bladen head coach Robby Priest. “And he did — on both sides of the ball.”
The win improved the No. 3 seed Eagles to 9-4 this season and moves them into the third round, which will be a road trip to Vinegar Hill for a rematch of their season-opening 29-22 loss against South Columbus. The Stallions, 11-2 and seeded No. 1, knocked off No. 5 seed Fairmont on Friday, 75-42, to advance.
The Chargers wasted little time lighting up the scoreboard, taking the opening possession and marching 65 yards in just five plays — the final one a 41-yard touchdown run with just 1:39 off the clock. The extra point gave the home team a quick 7-0 lead.
East Bladen responded when Eian Hines returned the ensuing kickoff 27 yards to the Eagles’ 33, and it was vintage East Bladen football from there. Ethan Hines ran for 12, McDowell fought for 15 and the next nine runs ate up 2 to 4 yards each before Ethan Hines busted through for a 10-yard touchdown run. The point after was no good, but the Eagles had cut the deficit to 7-6 with 4:14 left in the first quarter.
Ayden-Grifton fizzled on its next possession and a 34-yard punt set East Bladen up at its own 29, where the Eagles started another drive. This one featured a 9-yard run by Xavier Wooten, a 10-yard and 13-yard run by Ethan Hines before the 14-play drive was culminated on a fourth-and-1 run of 12 yards to the end zone by Ethan Hines. Bedsole flipped a pass to Ethan Hines for the two-point conversion to give East Bladen a 14-7 lead 4:49 into the second stanza.
The Chargers came right back. Starting at its own 36, Ayden-Grifton went on a 13-play drive that was highlighted by two fourth-down conversions and finished with a 13-yard touchdown run with 1:06 left in the half. The extra point was good and knotted the game at 14-14.
East Bladen took over at its own 18 and, on the very first play, Bedsole lofted a perfect pass to a wide open Ethan Hines in the flat, who outraced the Chargers for an 82-yard touchdown. But a flag was on the ground near midfield and the play was called back on a penalty that left East Bladen coaches scratching their heads and East Bladen fans livid.
The half ended without incident with the score still tied.
“We have to do a better job defensively on first down,” Priest said.”And we’re looking to have the best drive of the season to start this second half.”
The Eagles gave their coach the drive he was hoping for. Starting at its own 33 to open the second half, East Bladen marched the 67 yards in nine plays — featuring six runs by Ethan Hines for 60 yards, including a 28-yard touchdown run with 7:36 left in the third quarter. Melvin’s kick gave the Eagles a 21-14 edge.
The Chargers quickly moved from their own 35 to the East Bladen 48, but a penalty and big plays by the Eagles defense pushed Ayden-Grifton back to its own 45, forcing a Chargers punt.
East Bladen gained just 4 yards on three plays and lined up for a punt — and ran a fake, with Ethan Hines gaining just 3 of the 6 yards needed and turning the ball over on downs.
Ayden-Grifton took advantage, covering the 37 yards in just two plays. The kick was good and the Chargers had knotted the game at 21-21 with just 50 seconds left in the quarter.
The Eagles went three and out early in the fourth frame and a 34-yard punt gave Ayden-Grifton possession at its own 35. The Chargers committed three penalties on the possession and were forced to punt from their own 35 — a punt that Ethan Hines returned 29 yards back to the Chargers’ 35. But after moving to the Ayden-Grifton 30, Bedsole’s pass was intercepted at the 2 yard line.
Ayden-Grifton marched to midfield before the drive stalled and a 41-yard punt pinned East Bladen back on its own 9. Two runs moved the ball to the 20, but after two plays went nowhere, the Eagles fumbled and the Chargers recovered at the East Bladen 17 with less than a minute in regulation.
A Chargers penalty moved the ball back to the East 22 and a run got 4 yards back before McDowell sacked the Ayden-Grifton quarterback for a 7-yard loss. A pass gained 9 yards and, with 17 seconds showing on the clock, the Chargers set up for a 32-yard field goal — only to see Caleb Strait bust up the middle and block the kick. James Higgins picked up the bounding ball for East Bladen and raced it back 46 yards to the Ayden-Grifton 29.
With 3 seconds left in regulation, Bedsole lofted a pass to the edge of the end zone that fell incomplete and sent the game to overtime.
East Bladen got the ball first at the 10-yard line and a run lost a yard before a pass went incomplete. But on third down, Bedsole dropped back, drifted out to the right and zipped a pass to McDowell inside the 5 — and the big fullback bulled his way in for the touchdown. Melvin’s kick was good to give the Eagles a 28-21 lead.
Ayden-Grifton took possession at the 10 and its first play lost 4 yards — then two passes to the end zone were knocked away by the Eagles defense. On fourth and 14, the Chargers completed a pass over the middle for … 13 yards. Game over.
“We didn’t quit,” Priest said of his team. “We beat a really good team tonight.
“That blocked field goal was huge for us,”he added, “And Ethan gave us another big game — but he’s pretty beat up.”
Ethan Hines’ 163 yards and three touchdowns gives him 1,829 yards and 22 touchdowns rushing this season. Wooten rushed 10 times for 45 yards and McDowell toted the ball seven times for 31 yards. Through the air, Bedsole was 2-of-10 for 44 yards.
W. Curt Vincent can be reached by calling 910-862-4163.