Blackford no match for Comets in 35-7 rout

The Eastern Comets have momentum. Finishing the regular season with four straight wins, the varsity football team hosted the Blackford Bruins in the opener of the IHSAA sectional Oct. 25. And they handily made it five straight.

The drubbing Eastern delivered was so complete that the Bruins (2-8) probably would have been better off staying on the bus. The Comets scored regularly throughout the game, and only allowed Blackford on the scoreboard in the fourth, long after the contest had been decided.

Eastern's offense was led by their star sophomore quarterback, Gibson Eagle. At just 5' 8", 175 lbs., Eagle played well above his physical stature. He crossed the 2,000-yard mark in passing yards for the season by producing 331 yards in the air, connecting on 18 of 25 attempts; three of which resulted in touchdowns.

The young playmaker also showed some youthful indiscretion, tossing three interceptions -- all to Blackford junior Gage Dow.

Eastern's air attack opened up the running game, and junior Isaiah Pickett took full advantage. He rushed for 105 yards on 20 carries and scored a touchdown on a 9-yard scamper in the fourth quarter. Eagle also found the endzone with his feet.

Big numbers from the quarterback mean big numbers for the receiving corps. Two Eastern wideouts cross the 100-yard mark on the evening. Junior Kaleb Hurt did it on just two receptions for 115 yards and two touchdowns. Sophomore Bently Hullinger joined his teammate with 100 yards on three receptions and a touchdown. Senior Braylen Word was Eagle's most frequent target, hauling in five passes for 64 yards.

Defensively, Eastern was making stops all across the line-up. Senior Nick Seagrave led the defense with 11 tackles, seven of them solo, and one sack. Sophomore Abe Edwards collected 10 tackles, also with seven solos.

As a unit, the Comets held the Bruins to just 36 yards in the air and 73 yards on the ground, allowing just over 100 yards in total offense.

Now at 6-4, Eastern will play host again in the sectional semi-final on Fri., Nov. 1. The Rochester Zebras (8-2) will bring a crushing running offense that averages more than 300 yards a game, fueled by junior Brant Beck. Rochester mutilated Elwood on Oct. 25 with its largest win, 46-0.

See additional photos from this game, courtesy of Adam Hartsough, by visiting the Lantern’s Facebook page or group.