September 18, 2024
Washington, Colts reign in homecoming win over EPC
By DAVID PIERCE Sports Connection Team WILSON – Skies rained on The Tez football field Friday just as the Cavonta Washington and the Rivercrest Colts reigned supreme in a 56-32 homecoming win over East Poinsett County. In the first regular season meeting between the two teams since 2013, Washington combined for seven touchdowns – six passing and one rushing – and accounted for 372 total yards to lead the Colts. ...
By DAVID PIERCE
Sports Connection Team
WILSON – Skies rained on The Tez football field Friday just as the Cavonta Washington and the Rivercrest Colts reigned supreme in a 56-32 homecoming win over East Poinsett County.
In the first regular season meeting between the two teams since 2013, Washington combined for seven touchdowns – six passing and one rushing – and accounted for 372 total yards to lead the Colts. The senior quarterback tossed four touchdown passes to Buddah Harris and one each to Keiran Morris and Jakavion Williams, plus added a one-yard scoring run in the rout.
Both teams turned the ball over on their first possessions but EPC (0-2) redeemed itself with an eight-play drive capped by a 10-yard Jacob Gaines touchdown. The score was the first for EPC of the season as it was shut out in its opener versus Walnut Ridge. Quarterback Eli Blagg, who rushed for 24 yards on the drive, accounted for the first of his three two-point conversions to give the Warriors the early 8-0 lead seven minutes into the game.
However, it was short-lived as the Colts (2-0) needed just two minutes and four plays to get on the scoreboard. Washington found a wide open Buddah Harris for a 44-yard strike that pulled the Colts within two. Washington hooked up with Jakavion Williams for the two-point conversion to tie the game 8-8 with 3:22 left in the first quarter.
The Colts scored on their next two possessions of the half as well to lead 20-8.
After stopping the visitors on four plays, Rivercrest drove 90 yards in 13 plays and Washington capped it with a 32-yard scoring pass to Morris who outleapt two defenders for the score. The two-point conversion failed but the Colts led 14-8 with a little less than seven minutes left before halftime.
RHS ended the half with an 18-yard touchdown from the Washington-Harris combo which capped a 82-yard drive. The possession was highlighted by a 20-yard pass completion to Jayden Young and a 16-yarder to Williams. Washington also picked up a pair of first downs rushing along the way.
On the ensuing possession, EPC did advance the ball to the Colt 41-yard line before Andrew Lomack and Tekylun Sanders sacked Blagg for a seven-yard loss on fourth down. And Rivercrest held the 12-point margin at the break.
The third quarter saw a flurry of scoring for both teams as they combined for 45 points.
The Colts were first on the board with Washington’s fourth touchdown pass of the game. He spotted Williams who caught the ball and turned up field. He planted his foot, changed direction and dashed to the end zone for a 36-yard catch-and-run score. The point-after was missed but Rivercrest upped its advantage to 18 points at 26-8 with 10:25 remaining in the second quarter.
Back came EPC and Gaines who snapped the Colt 26-point scoring streak with a 34-yard touchdown. The junior wound up with 131 yards on 18 carries, plus the two touchdowns. He also had a 40-yard kickoff return.
Blagg bullied his way to the end zone to earn the two-point conversion and EPC trailed by 10 at 26-16 with 8:08 left on the clock in the third period.
EPC lined up for the onside kick but an opportunistic Joe Louis Ralph fielded the football on a bounce and outran the Warrior kicking team to the end zone for a 48-yard score. Young was the receiving end of a two-point pass and again the lead stood at 18 points, 34-16.
Gaines’ 40-yard return set EPC up inside Colt territory at the 40-yard line. Following an 8-yard gain by Dee Buchanan, Blagg connected with Tyrus Reel on a 32-yard touchdown pass. Again Blagg was successful on a two-point run and the gap was closed to 10 points at 34-24 with 7:31 remaining in the quarter.
Rivercrest, working with a short field, marched 48 yards in seven plays to extend the lead again. Washington chose the ground as he capped the drive with a one-yard touchdown. He accounted for 29 yards rushing on the drive. His two-point pass to Harris returned the lead to 18 at 42-24.
The Colts defense stopped EPC on three plays before Young returned a Blagg punt 37 yards to the EPC 13-yard line.
Washington needed just one play to find Harris alone in the end zone and a Hunter Ellis PAT put the Colts up, 49-24 with 3:42 left in the third quarter.
EPC drove the ball 73 yards to the Colt four-yard line but the Warriors were denied on four plays and did not reach the end zone.
Rivercrest took over and four plays later scored on their eighth straight possession. The Washington-Harris duo was at it again this time on a 46-yard pass play for a score. Deric Edgell added the point after.
EPC capped its next possession with a 7-yard touchdown run by Ladainian Hillis. Kristopher Kfakianos added the two-point play to set the final.
In addition to combining for the 88 points, Rivercrest and EPC tallied a total of 796 yards – 463 for the Colts and 333 for the Warriors.
Rivercrest plays its first road contest Friday as they visit Forrest City to play the 0-2 Mustangs. The team is led by first-year head coach Reggie Swinton, a Little Rock native who played collegiately at Murray State (Ky.) and had a seven-year NFL career with Dallas, Arizona and Detroit. Forrest City is averaging 34 points per game while allowing 44.5 ppg in losses to Batesville Southside and Wynne.
Meanwhile, EPC continues its non-conference schedule with its third straight 3A-3 opponent Manila. The Lions host but are 0-2 as well after losses to Paragould and Marked Tree. The Lions have scored but 13 points in the two contests and have allowed 71.
Game time for both contests is 7 p.m.
Advertisement
Advertisement