WHITEVILLE – Twin brothers Ethan and Eian Hines combined for 343 yards, 6 touchdowns and 2 conversions as they led East Bladen to a 43-15 non-conference football victory over Whiteville Friday night.
Ethan Hines led the Eagles with 146 yards and 2 touchdowns on 13 rushes and caught 2 touchdown passes for 46 yards. Eian Hines carried 13 times for 137 yards and a touchdown and snagged a 14-yard touchdown pass. Both Hines brothers caught a 2-point conversion pass.
“They ran their tails off,” said Eagle Coach Robby Priest. “They are fun to watch if we can keep them healthy.”
The Eagles piled up 400 yards rushing and 60 yards passing, while holding the Wolfpack to 232 rushing and 247 total yards. East Bladen dominated the time of possession by a 2-to-1 margin – keeping the ball for 32 minutes compared to 16 minutes for Whiteville.
“The line really blocked well,” noted Coach Priest. “We worked hard in practice and it showed. I thought we were a lot sharper tonight. We didn’t hang our heads after last week.”
Ethan Hines capped the first East Bladen drive with a 17-yard touchdown run. The extra point kick was blocked and the Eagles led 6-0 with 8:24 left in the first quarter.
Whiteville answered 10 seconds later as junior Phillip Powell sprinted 62 yards for a touchdown. The extra point kick put Whiteville up 7-6.
The Eagles answered with another scoring drive. On fourth down at the Wolfpack 12 yardline, junior quarterback Quinton Bedsole tossed a 12-yard touchdown pass to Ethan Hines. Bedsole connected with Eian Hines on the 2-point conversion pass that put East Bladen on top 14-7 with 4:25 remaining in the period.
Midway the second quarter junior Bradley Pridgen ran 3 yards for a Wolfpack touchdown then edged Whiteville in front 15-14 with a 2-point conversion run.
Two minutes later Eian Hines broke loose and scooted 63 yards for an Eagle touchdown. Bedsole connected with Ethan Hines on the 2-point conversion pass as East Bladen went back on top 22-15.
Moments later Whiteville fumbled and the Eagles recovered. Bedsole threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Eian Hines, and sophmore Pierce Melvin booted the extra point for a 29-15 East lead 3:51 before halftime.
The Eagles beat the clock by 6 seconds on their final first half possession as Bedsole hurled a 34-yard touchdown pass to Ethan Hines, and Melvin kicked the extra point for a 36-15 East Bladen lead.
On their first possession of the second half, the Eagles marched 63 yards for their final touchdown. Ethan Hines darted into the end zone from 11 yards out for the touchdown, and Melvin tacked on the point for a 43-15 East Bladen lead with 6:36 left in the third quarter.
Bedsole connected on all 3 of his passes for 60 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also completed both of his conversion passes.
Sophmore James Higgins gained 61 yards on 16 carries for the Eagles. Junior Xavier Wooten rushed 5 times for 45 yards.
Junior Keshawn Bellamy led Whiteville with 142 yards rushing on 17 carries.
The Eagles evened their record at 1-1 and will host St. Pauls Friday night.
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