East Bladen Regains Momentum With Statement 44-6 Win Over East Columbus

LAKE WACCAMAW, NC — After a grueling week that featured two heartbreaking losses in just three days, East Bladen got the rebound it was searching for on Friday night.

The Eagles traveled to Lake Waccamaw and took control early, cruising to a 44–6 win over East Columbus in a game that reminded everyone of how dangerous this team can be when it finds its rhythm.

Coming off a 15–14 loss to North Duplin and a 32–28 setback to Hobbton in a resumed matchup from earlier in the year, East Bladen entered the night determined to reset the tone of its season.

Those narrow defeats had stung, but they also showed how competitive the Eagles were capable of being against the top teams in the conference.

Against East Columbus, that effort finally translated into a dominant performance from start to finish.

From the opening kickoff, the Eagles’ offense leaned on what it does best, running the football with purpose and power.

The offensive line established control early, creating wide lanes and wearing down the Gators’ defense throughout the night. Jaden Lewis continued his remarkable season, breaking off big runs and finding the end zone three times while racking up 202 rushing yards on just 13 carries.

The sophomore back has now totaled over 1,200 all-purpose yards and 15 touchdowns this season, putting together one of the most productive campaigns in the region.

Alongside him, Dashon Campbell provided the perfect complement, adding 42 yards and two touchdowns on seven carries to push his season rushing total past the 800-yard mark.

Riley Collins added 48 yards on eight carries, and both Keyshawn Kemp and Xavier Potts contributed key short-yardage runs that kept drives alive. Kemp completed one pass to Torean Cogdell, but the Eagles didn’t need to air it out much, the ground game set the tone all night long.

Defensively, East Bladen delivered one of its most complete efforts of the season. The front seven clogged running lanes and pressured East Columbus into mistake after mistake.

The Gators managed only 41 rushing yards on 41 attempts, never able to find traction against a physical and disciplined Eagles defense.

Through the air, East Columbus gained just 64 yards, as East Bladen’s secondary kept everything in front and denied any big-play opportunities.

The Eagles built their lead steadily.

A 6–0 edge after the first quarter grew to 14–6 by halftime.

In the third quarter, the floodgates opened as East Bladen erupted for 24 unanswered points to make it 38–6 before adding one final touchdown in the fourth to close out the 44–6 victory.

The win moved East Bladen to 5–3 overall and 2–2 in the Carolina 1A/2A Conference, putting them right in the middle of a tight race heading into the final stretch of the regular season.

Hobbton and Lakewood both sit undefeated in league play at 3–0, followed closely by North Duplin at 2–1.

East Bladen’s two losses came against those same teams, proving they can compete with anyone in the conference when executing at their best.

In the latest NCHSAA 2A RPI rankings, East Bladen sits at No. 16, just behind North Duplin at No. 14 and Lakewood at No. 15, with Hobbton close behind at No. 20.

The conference title race remains open, and while it would take a few favorable results from other teams, the Eagles still have an opportunity to climb the standings and finish among the leaders.

More than anything, Friday’s win was a statement, a reminder of what East Bladen football looks like when everything clicks.

The balance, physicality, and confidence that define this team were all on display, and if the Eagles can carry that same energy into the final weeks, they’ll be a team no one wants to face as the postseason approaches.

---

East Bladen Regains Momentum With Statement 44-6 Win Over East Columbus