Friendly football rivalry goes to Eastern, 49-20
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Thanks to differing conferences and school sizes, there aren’t many cross-county football matchups on the schedule this year, but Eastern and Northwestern made sure Howard County got a show on Aug. 28.
The Tigers travelled to Greentown to face the Comets, and before the game the two school administrations placed a friendly wager. The losing school’s staff would have to wear the victor’s colors. After a 49-20 smackdown, Northwestern principal Tim Shoaf and his crew could be seen sporting Green and Gold the following Monday morning.
On paper, this contest promised plenty of excitement. Both teams rely heavily on the passing game to find success, and they didn’t fail to impress. Northwestern and Eastern combined for 725 yards in the air and five touchdowns, including some big plays from both sides.
Eastern opened the scoring early, as an 80-yard bomb from senior quarterback Gibson Eagle to junior receiver Cody Tarrh put the Comets in the redzone. Eagle scampered 10 yards for the subsequent score. They added a second score on the ground a few minutes later as senior rusher Abe Edwards hit paydirt on a six-yard rumble.
Northwestern countered early in the second with a five-yard completion from senior quarterback Colin Cook to junior receiver Braxton Schieffer. But Eastern would not be muzzled. The Comets scored again with a 59-yard touchdown pass from Eagle to junior receiver Riley Helmberger with little more than a minute left in the first half. The Comets led 21-7 at the half.
Midway through the third quarter, the Tigers scored again on a 27-yard connection to Schieffer. Northwestern failed to convert, however, leaving the score 21-13. The Tigers would get no closer as Eastern scored on the ensuing kickoff to restore their lead.
In fact, the third quarter really belonged to the Comets as they reeled off three more unanswered touchdowns to put the game out of reach, 49-13. The Tigers managed one more score in the fourth quarter, but it was far too little to overcome the deficit. Eastern prevailed, 49-20.
Eastern’s offense took place mostly in the air as Eagle completed 12 of the 20 passes he attempted for 401 yards and three touchdowns. He added 25 rushing yards and a pair of scores on the ground.
Senior Bently Hullinger was Eagle’s preferred target, hitting him six times for 181 and two scores. Tarrh also crossed the century mark in receiving yardage with 130 yards on four receptions. Helmberger made sure his name appeared on the scorecard by hauling in a 59-yard reception for a touchdown.
On the ground, Edwards handled most of the rushing duties, covering 64 yards on 10 carries with a touchdown.
Defensively, Eagle registered Eastern’s only sack, and he caused a fumble. Hullinger was responsible for both of the Comets’ interceptions, and Helmberger recovered a fumble for the Green and Gold. Edwards led with 13 tackles that effectively limited Northwestern’s short game.
For Northwestern, Cook completed 31 of the 45 passes he attempted, amassing 324 yards in the air and registering a pair of touchdowns. He also was intercepted twice. Schieffer was the primary target for Cook, as the pair connected nine times for 124 yards and both passing scores.
Senior Jayden West tallied the longest reception for the Tigers, hauling in a 46-yard bomb. Senior Bradyn Wilson specialized in short-yardage advancement, collecting eight passes for 36 yards.
On the ground, senior Ayden Giles was the leading Tigers’ rusher with 43 yards on 17 carries, including a touchdown.
Defensively, Giles and senior Ozzy Pipenger collected one sack each. Senior Jake Seals forced a fumble and recovered it, while Wilson also recovered a fumble.
Eastern, led by head coach Josh Edwards in his 20th season, improved to 3-0 on the young season with a win at home against Delphi on Sept. 4. They next travel to Taylor (0-3) on Sept. 11.
Northwestern, looking to rebuild a powerhouse program, recovered with a win at home against Southwood on Sept. 4. Now at 2-1, the Tigers host conference foe Peru (2-1) on Sept. 11.
See additional photos from this contest, courtesy of Adam Hartsough, including galleries for both teams as well as the Eastern High School marching band and shots of the crowds and cheerleaders, on the Lantern’s Facebook page.