Game 10
East Central vs. Vancleave
10/31/08
East Central and Vancleave squared off in the Pascgoula River Bowl Friday night in Hurley. The Bulldogs were looking to secure a place in the playoffs, while the Hornets were playing for pride and an opportunity to hoist the Pascagoula River Bowl trophy for the first time. E.C. took the opening Kickoff and started fast as Jarrod Howell hit the sideline and scrabbled 35 yards into Bulldog territory. The drive stalled, but E.C. had gained field position and set the tempo for the game. Vancleave coming off a big upset of Moss Point the week before were heavy favorites in the contest. The Bulldogs moved the ball early, but it was only after a fake punt that their drive continued. The Hornets sent another message when on 4th and 5 from the E.C. 7 yard line, Antonio Polk ran down the Bulldog ball carrier from behind tackling him for a loss. The ball turned over on downs as the home crowd cheered for the defensive stand. On 1st down from the E.C 10 yard line Senior Sam Fairley took the handoff over the left side, found a seam and went 90 yards for the games first score. The extra point by Matt Greenough was good and the Hornets led 7-0. The hard-hitting Defenses dominate play for the next several series. Outstanding plays by Jake Evans, Bradley Green and Anthony Johnson kept Vancleave in check. With approximately six minutes to play in the first half the Hornets elected for go for a 4th down and short from it’s own 45 yard line. The snap was fumbled and the Bulldogs recovered. The Bulldogs would waste little time capitalizing on the mistake. After a couple first downs, Vancleave went to the air and completed a pass for a 28 yard touchdown. The extra point was good and the score was tied at 7-7. Neither team was able to mount any Offense late in the second quarter and the half ended with the score still tied 7-7.
The Hornets came out of the locker room fired up and stopped Vancleave on its first possession with a QB sack by Antonio Polk. E.C. would move the ball quickly into scoring position as Howell swept the right side behind great blocking on his way to a 30 yard run. A late hit tacked on 15 more yards and the Hornets were in business at the Bulldog 10 yard line. From there Bradley Green took the pitch, broke several tackles and powered his way into the end zone. The point after was good by Greenough and E.C. went back on top 14-7. The score charged up the Hornet Defense, as big hits by Howell and Ron Walker forced the Bulldogs to a three and out. E.C took over at their own 23 yard line and began a smash mouth, ball control drive. The line of scrimmage was dominated behind blocks by Lowe, Wells, Hammond, Jones, McCreary, Ehlers and Pearson. The Staff interchanged running backs throughout the drive battering the Vancleave Defense. The ground game by Fairley, Freeman, Howell and Green advanced the ball to the Bulldog 22 yard line. A dive play at the heart of the Defense sent Senior Beau Freeman up the middle to paydirt with a 22 yard TD gallop. The point after by Greenough was good and E.C. led 21-7. The pace would slow down, but the Hornet Defense could sense victory as they continued their relentless pressure on Vancleave’s Offense. With the Game into the 4th Quarter, the Hornets had the ball at their own 17 yard line when Fairley took a pitch off tackle and broke outside for a 70 yard gain. The long run set up Fairley again as he capped off the 83 yard drive with a ten yard TD run. Greenough’s extra point was good and the score stood at 28-7 with 7:30 remaining. Vancleave trying to establish a drive was forced to go for it on 4th down from their own 35 yard line. The Hornets held on the play and took over the ball on downs. The Offense went to work to use as much of the game clock as possible. After a few successful plays E.C. lined up for a 28 yard field goal. Greenough’s kick was perfect and the Hornets held a commanding 31-7 advantage. Vancleave tried to move the ball on one last possession, but the Maroon clad defenders would not budge an inch. E.C. would take a knee on its final two plays as the game clock expired. The scoreboard read East Central 31 and Vancleave 7.
An enthusiastic crowd and exuberant Hornet Team began the long awaited celebration that continued into the Fall night. East Central was presented the Pascagoula River Bowl Trophy during the postgame ceremony, while family and friends savored the teary moment. It was a complete Team effort and showed just how far this squad has come over the course of the season. Coach High recognized his Seniors; Cody Waltman, Ian Hammond, Gabe Jones, Laetner Naramore, Taylor Parker, C.J. Wells, Beau Freeman, Datren Simmons, Sam Fairley, Houston Hopkins, Andrew Lawson, Antonio Polk, Ron Walker and Jarrod Howell for their leadership and commitment this season. These 14 Seniors and their families were recognized prior to the game for their contributions to the Hornet Football program over the last 4 years.
East Central and Vancleave squared off in the Pascgoula River Bowl Friday night in Hurley. The Bulldogs were looking to secure a place in the playoffs, while the Hornets were playing for pride and an opportunity to hoist the Pascagoula River Bowl trophy for the first time. E.C. took the opening Kickoff and started fast as Jarrod Howell hit the sideline and scrabbled 35 yards into Bulldog territory. The drive stalled, but E.C. had gained field position and set the tempo for the game. Vancleave coming off a big upset of Moss Point the week before were heavy favorites in the contest. The Bulldogs moved the ball early, but it was only after a fake punt that their drive continued. The Hornets sent another message when on 4th and 5 from the E.C. 7 yard line, Antonio Polk ran down the Bulldog ball carrier from behind tackling him for a loss. The ball turned over on downs as the home crowd cheered for the defensive stand. On 1st down from the E.C 10 yard line Senior Sam Fairley took the handoff over the left side, found a seam and went 90 yards for the games first score. The extra point by Matt Greenough was good and the Hornets led 7-0. The hard-hitting Defenses dominate play for the next several series. Outstanding plays by Jake Evans, Bradley Green and Anthony Johnson kept Vancleave in check. With approximately six minutes to play in the first half the Hornets elected for go for a 4th down and short from it’s own 45 yard line. The snap was fumbled and the Bulldogs recovered. The Bulldogs would waste little time capitalizing on the mistake. After a couple first downs, Vancleave went to the air and completed a pass for a 28 yard touchdown. The extra point was good and the score was tied at 7-7. Neither team was able to mount any Offense late in the second quarter and the half ended with the score still tied 7-7.
The Hornets came out of the locker room fired up and stopped Vancleave on its first possession with a QB sack by Antonio Polk. E.C. would move the ball quickly into scoring position as Howell swept the right side behind great blocking on his way to a 30 yard run. A late hit tacked on 15 more yards and the Hornets were in business at the Bulldog 10 yard line. From there Bradley Green took the pitch, broke several tackles and powered his way into the end zone. The point after was good by Greenough and E.C. went back on top 14-7. The score charged up the Hornet Defense, as big hits by Howell and Ron Walker forced the Bulldogs to a three and out. E.C took over at their own 23 yard line and began a smash mouth, ball control drive. The line of scrimmage was dominated behind blocks by Lowe, Wells, Hammond, Jones, McCreary, Ehlers and Pearson. The Staff interchanged running backs throughout the drive battering the Vancleave Defense. The ground game by Fairley, Freeman, Howell and Green advanced the ball to the Bulldog 22 yard line. A dive play at the heart of the Defense sent Senior Beau Freeman up the middle to paydirt with a 22 yard TD gallop. The point after by Greenough was good and E.C. led 21-7. The pace would slow down, but the Hornet Defense could sense victory as they continued their relentless pressure on Vancleave’s Offense. With the Game into the 4th Quarter, the Hornets had the ball at their own 17 yard line when Fairley took a pitch off tackle and broke outside for a 70 yard gain. The long run set up Fairley again as he capped off the 83 yard drive with a ten yard TD run. Greenough’s extra point was good and the score stood at 28-7 with 7:30 remaining. Vancleave trying to establish a drive was forced to go for it on 4th down from their own 35 yard line. The Hornets held on the play and took over the ball on downs. The Offense went to work to use as much of the game clock as possible. After a few successful plays E.C. lined up for a 28 yard field goal. Greenough’s kick was perfect and the Hornets held a commanding 31-7 advantage. Vancleave tried to move the ball on one last possession, but the Maroon clad defenders would not budge an inch. E.C. would take a knee on its final two plays as the game clock expired. The scoreboard read East Central 31 and Vancleave 7.
An enthusiastic crowd and exuberant Hornet Team began the long awaited celebration that continued into the Fall night. East Central was presented the Pascagoula River Bowl Trophy during the postgame ceremony, while family and friends savored the teary moment. It was a complete Team effort and showed just how far this squad has come over the course of the season. Coach High recognized his Seniors; Cody Waltman, Ian Hammond, Gabe Jones, Laetner Naramore, Taylor Parker, C.J. Wells, Beau Freeman, Datren Simmons, Sam Fairley, Houston Hopkins, Andrew Lawson, Antonio Polk, Ron Walker and Jarrod Howell for their leadership and commitment this season. These 14 Seniors and their families were recognized prior to the game for their contributions to the Hornet Football program over the last 4 years.
Thanks Seniors and Good Luck!
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