East Bladen @ Clinton Oct 2

BuckSweepSports910

All-American
Jul 30, 2006
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EB has a game with Midway on Monday but I think it's safe to start the discussion on this big game Friday night....I believe EB will handle Midway quite easily Monday evening no offense to Midway but just believe East is a much stronger team.....With that being said Friday I believe will be a potential preview of the 2A Eastern Regional Championship game depending on how things workout in the brackets....huge game from a playoff standpoint as far as seeding goes and this game will go a long way in determining the conf champ....For Clinton it all depends on the offensive line...we have to play a near perfect game and cut out these mental mistakes WAYYYY too many penalties the last two weeks especially the Hoggard game where mental mistakes killed what could have been a game winning drive late in the 4th quarter.....Against a strong EB defense false starts and holding penalties will kill us....also we need to tighten up our special teams coverage we have given up two big KO returns this season and East Bladen may have some of the most dangerous return men we will see all year in Eian and Ethan Hines....like I stated above we will need to play our best game of the year cause this is by far the best team we have played....if the offensive line holds its own plays mistake free our RBs give us a chance to win..defense will have to play lights out as well....the last 4 Clinton vs East Bladen games have been decided by less than a TD....I expect much of the same this Friday no blowout hard fought close game....great running backs on both sides...3 yards in a cloud of dust...my prediction Clinton 21 East Bladen 20.....lets hear it
 

bolt903

Redshirt
May 30, 2015
29
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Agree 100% with you DH the O Line for Clinton is going to have to play a damn near perfect game. Clinton will have to show a balanced attack come this Friday night just to mix it up and keep that EB defense on it's heels, But in the end I see Lewis and the Dark Horses prevailing.
Clinton- 35
EB- 30
 

Inyourdome24-7

Freshman
Dec 1, 2014
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Think you're under estimating Midway. I expect that game to be closer than you think with EB looking ahead to Clinton. We'll see
 

bolt903

Redshirt
May 30, 2015
29
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Midway is not deep enough to compete all 4 quarters with East Bladen. They have to many bodies going both ways
 
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ebhsgrad

Redshirt
Nov 8, 2011
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The 35-14 prediction seems about right against Midway. As far as the Clinton game, I see it as a toss up as always when these two programs meet. Whoever commits the least amount of penalties and turnovers will win.
 

ebhsfan

Freshman
Oct 22, 2003
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Clinton is almost on a bye week in comparison to East Bladen. Lewis will have more time to prepare plus a chance to go see East play in person against a quality opponent. I don't think East can afford to look ahead of a 4-0 Midway team, a team that beat a pretty solid Lakewood team. It's going to take a lot from the coaches and players to come out of this week 2-0 but this team is talented and has a good a chance as most to do it. Definitely a huge disadvantage playing tonite, though.
 

ebhsgrad

Redshirt
Nov 8, 2011
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Completely agree that it's a huge disadvantage! I know it's over now and we have to play with the cards that are dealt, but was Midway completely against playing last Thursday night (like many other area teams did)?? the JV game between the two programs was held that night at EB...

I think the Eagles can handle it though, going to take a lot of focus.
 

BuckSweepSports910

All-American
Jul 30, 2006
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But on the other side of that playing Pender the week before does not exactly help us prepare for a much tougher East Bladen team......think playing a weak Smithfield-Selma team than having a bye week really hurt us against Hoggard especially in the first half....we had no sense of urgency no aggressiveness....
 

BuckSweepSports910

All-American
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Yea would not be surprised if some Clinton faithful make the short drive up 421 to check out our next 2 opponents tonight
 

Wizard of the East

All-Conference
Jun 12, 2001
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I saw Midway barely get by Hobbton in the 4th Qtr. 1st game of the season but that was a month ago. I haven't see EB but I've got a feeling of where they are based on last heart. That being said I know Midway's undefeated but East Bladen wins this one by 28-35 points
 

Darkhorse04

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Dec 5, 2006
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East Bladen has been doing that Kickoff for years, Even before coach Priest was the Head guy in charge. Now, I saw a few things from last night that I would like to share.
East Bladen is Big. The have some really big guys on the O and D lines. #56 ( I think) the DE was in the backfield all night. The lack that elite speed in the secondary but clearly were not tested by Midway. Clinton wins if: the Oline can give Skinner and Company room to run, EB wins if: The Defense imposes its will on the Clinton OLine.
Point being, this game will be won in the trenches. EB is bigger in size than clinton, but Clinton I think has more Overall team speed. Should be a good one.
 

Ilovesports15

Redshirt
Oct 24, 2013
111
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To me last night East Bladen was killing their own self with their kickoffs last night. Midway would start their drives around the 50. East Bladen defense was really good last night but if the offensive team doesn't have to go but 50 yards to score that could but a strain on a team's defense. Midway scored once having a short field to go and also had some 3 and outs. On Midway's 3 and outs they punting which pinned East Bladen deep making their offense go the entire field. In the first half, Midway controlled field position.
 

BuckSweepSports910

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Jul 30, 2006
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Our best bet on offense is to get Skinner to the edges...offense line is just not strong enough size wise to create big interior runs against a stout defensive line that EBs has....Just like the Hoggard game must of our big gains were runs off tackle sweeps toss plays etc etc....yes we will pound the inside with Faison and Oates a couple plays just to keep them honest but if we want to win got to use our speed and get outside....also we gonna have to complete some pass...I was pretty high on the passing game preseason but after losing Kavon Dessus it hurt..sophomore QB has been OK sometimes he seems alil hesitant Jeremiah Pope has been good and shows he can be a weapon but we will have to complete some passes to loosen up that stout defense
 

BuckSweepSports910

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Defense for Clinton has to play lights out we will need a big game from the defensive line the big boys in the middle have shown they can plug holes but we need some penetration in the backfield disrupt that offensive backfield alil bit....really miss TJ Boone #77 from last year not only was he big but he could get off his block and fly into the backfield and make plays and that's what we are going to need from #60 #76 and #56.....I think the secondary can handle whatever EB throws at them if they decided to pass or spread it out....and I think we have one of the most solid linebacker units in the area Sophomore AJ Williamson has really emerged we all know how good Rayquan Faison is and Farrior is really starting to come into his on and be more aggressive last couple games but like DH04 said this game is gonna get won in the trenches
 

BuckSweepSports910

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Yea looking at some film on the Eagles they got some beef on those lines.....#56 is huge 6'4 255 constantly in opposing teams backfield.....I got faith in Bob Lewis to have something up his sleeve to combat this
 

BuckSweepSports910

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Tyion Wright is a junior but I agree in preseason he ran the offense very smoothly and he has Alot more zip on his passes where Williams at times has a tendency to float them...but yea They could start Tyion and have no drop off at the RB position Oates has carried the ball well still have Albert Deaver as well and Faison seems to be back at 100%...maybe something the coaches are looking at not sure but we will see
 
Nov 16, 2001
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I don't know if it was because of a Monday game or what, but EB did not really impress me on offense. The defensive line is stout, but can be susceptible to the pass. From what I saw, Clinton has the edge on overall team speed. I agree with DH#34, if Clinton can get the passing game going the offense will really open up. I feel confident with Clinton being at home that they have a better chance of winning. I just hope the weather holds up, as the latest forecast is calling for 4-9 inches of rain between now and Saturday.
 

Marty Moon

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Jul 31, 2001
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If this game is a slop-fest due to the weather, Clinton will go into the 2nd week of October vs. Midway having played basically one half of football that they can truly say is an indicator of where they are as a team. If this Friday night is a scrum in the mud, the Horses will have that plus 2 open dates, 3 weak (or at least "suspect") opponents, and an error-filled and listless first half against a quality 4A opponent. So to-date and including a likely sloppy EB game due to the conditions, the only opportunity the Horses would have had to get into any semblance of midseason form is the 2nd half vs. Hoggard.
Clinton needs to find a way to win under poor conditions vs. EB, then on a dry field vs. a decent Midway team the next week they can start to get in synch for the playoffs.
 

BuckSweepSports910

All-American
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Looking at the 5 day forecast on weather channel.com rainforecasted all the way to Monday next week.....I'm guessing aslong as its not lightning the game will be played Friday could hurt the gate but looking at the forecast suppose to rain Thursday so u can't move it up and with EB playing on Monday I doubt they would agree to that.....Saturday suppose to rain too
 

Darkhorse04

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Looking at the 5 day forecast on weather channel.com rainforecasted all the way to Monday next week.....I'm guessing aslong as its not lightning the game will be played Friday could hurt the gate but looking at the forecast suppose to rain Thursday so u can't move it up and with EB playing on Monday I doubt they would agree to that.....Saturday suppose to rain too

I hear that if weather forecast holds true game could be moved to Monday, but nothing official as of now. Thursday isn't a possibility being that EB is already on a short week.
 

BuckSweepSports910

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Kinda defeats the purpose its suppose to rain Monday too......I played games in the rain while in High School as long as its not lightning let them play.....My senior year we played against Richlands on senior night in a freaking MONSOON!!!! Lol
 

BuckSweepSports910

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Jul 30, 2006
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I hear that if weather forecast holds true game could be moved to Monday, but nothing official as of now. Thursday isn't a possibility being that EB is already on a short week.

According to NCpreps West Bladen and Wallace has been moved to today and West Bladen played Monday night......talk about a short week....I'm sure EBs AD would not agree to such a thing since our game is suppose to be alot more competitive then the WRH vs WB game
 

ebhsgrad

Redshirt
Nov 8, 2011
79
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Still haven't heard anything official about the varsity game, but they have moved up the start time of the JV game. Set to kickoff at 5:30 @ East Bladen.
 

Wizard of the East

All-Conference
Jun 12, 2001
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DarkHorse#34, I remember that Richlands game. I been to hundreds of football games but I've never got wetter than at that game. It was senior night and as a parent that was on the field my shoes were under water. It was ridiculous the water slides that occurred!
Marty I agree with your comments . The schedule has not helped things but who would have thunk SWO would not be competitive. I think the key is the DarkHirses have a legendary coach who is a expert on getting a team prepared to play when it counts,playoff time. It'll workout
 
Apr 25, 2005
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Kinda defeats the purpose its suppose to rain Monday too......I played games in the rain while in High School as long as its not lightning let them play.....My senior year we played against Richlands on senior night in a freaking MONSOON!!!! Lol

DH34, I swear me and Wiz saw Noah sail up to the gate and watch that game..lol........Wind and rain was terrible...
 

ebhsgrad

Redshirt
Nov 8, 2011
79
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Really anxious to see this game, but I do think this is the best decision at the moment. Mother Nature can change constantly from now until tomorrow, but as of now there is only a 10-20% chance of rain Saturday night from 6:00-10:00. Let's hope it stays that way.
 

ebhsfan

Freshman
Oct 22, 2003
2,406
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You have to think about the Cape Fear River and all the people that live in and around flood prone areas in Bladen County. We received a lot of rain from last night into mid morning with more coming this afternoon. The County cautioned on the safe side with the flooding issues we have had in the past. No problem with the game being moved until tomorrow.
 
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Wizard of the East

All-Conference
Jun 12, 2001
17,988
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I live within the city limits of Clinton and my weather station has measured 5.4 inches of rain since yesterday morning and it hasn't quit yet!☔️
 

ebhsgrad

Redshirt
Nov 8, 2011
79
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7-7 with 8:34 in 1st. Clinton scored on their first possession. Then EB's Ethan Hines returns kickoff for touchdown.
 

ebhsgrad

Redshirt
Nov 8, 2011
79
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21-7 Clinton after 1Q. EB is driving. Eian Hines is not dressed tonight after injury versus Midway.
 

Ilovesports15

Redshirt
Oct 24, 2013
111
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EB not as good as they've been last 2 years
Thought Clinton would win by at least 2 tds
Clinton should win conference out right
Clinton
WRH
EB
Midway
WB
Union
Trask
Pender