For the second straight season, the Eastern Eagles won the “Battle of 335”.
In a contest between two schools separated by about 14 miles on Ohio 335, the Eastern Eagles soared out to a 24-0 lead at the half en route to a 31-6 victory over the Falcons.
Eastern didn’t waste any time. EHS senior Boston Webb collected the Minford kickoff and returned it to midfield. Five plays later, Eli Shaffer broke a 29-yard run to the end zone. Grant Havens connected on the point-after, putting the Eagles up 7-0 just three minutes into the game.
Minford’s offense didn’t have the ball for long, taking over on their own 35-yard line. On 3rd-and-2, the Falcons fumbled and Eagle Chevy Knowles recovered on the Minford 43-yard line. On the first play of the drive, Shaffer took the handoff, followed his blockers and then broke through a hole, turning on the speed to go into the end zone untouched. Havens connected on the kick again, making the lead 14-0 with 7:33 left in the first quarter.
Eastern’s defense stood tall on the next Falcon possession, getting a fourth-down stop at midfield. The Eagles followed with a touchdown drive that ended nine plays later with a Brydn Davis quarterback keeper. Havens added the point-after, opening a 21-0 EHS lead with one minute left in the first quarter.
After a potential Minford touchdown was nullified by holding, Eastern came up with another defensive stop, forcing the Falcons to punt out of their own end zone.
The Eagles settled in for a drive that ended in an opportunity for Havens to try a field goal. Havens was successful, booting a 32-yard field goal to put the Eagles ahead 24-0. That was where the score remained at the break.
Eastern wasn’t able to score again in the first half, but the defense came up with a pair of fumble recoveries. Trey Kelly secured one and Micah Slone secured another one.
Eastern added another touchdown to the scoreboard in the second half as the Eagles went on to win 31-6.
Eastern (2-1) will make the long trek to Eastern Meigs next Friday, Sept. 11.