East Burke defeats rival Freedom

Balanced offense key to Cavalier victory

Credit: Jennifer Frew | The News Herald

East Burke High football player Eric Carson, No. 32, carries the ball.

By: Lee Shook | Media General
Published: September 05, 2009

Morganton --

East Burke began the 'New Era' of Burke County football with a 38-16 win over traditional county rival Freedom on Friday night.
The 'New Era' marks the first season in which all four Burke County high schools play each other in varsity football.
East Burke's defense stopped Freedom on its first possession and took over at its own 26-yard line. The Cavs needed just five plays to open the scoring. The drive culminated on a 37-yard pass from Justin Lail to Dustin Wilson, their third connection for a touchdown so far this season. Lail completed 7-of-11 passes for 196 yards and three touchdowns.
The Cavs then attempted an onside kick. The play worked perfectly as Caleb Huffman reached the ball first for East Burke to set up another touchdown drive. Eric Carson gained 40 yards on three running plays to set up a 4-yard touchdown pass from Lail to Josh Debro.
"The onside kick was a big play," said East Burke coach Mike Biggerstaff. "And getting the ball to (Josh) Debro in open space is a big weapon. Our quarterbacks threw the ball well. I'm proud of the effort and emotion we got from our football team."
Carson accounted for 46 yards on East Burke's next touchdown drive. The senior running back rushed for 20 yards then caught a pass for 19 yards. Another pass from Lail to Debro for 22 yards and a Freedom penalty set the Cavs up at their own 4-yard line. Carson finished the drive with a 4-yard run for his second touchdown of the season.
Freedom moved the ball inside the East Burke 30 on its next possession. But East Burke defensive end Tyler Blackwood sacked Patriots quarterback Mike Helms on fourth down.
Lail's first down pass was intercepted and returned for a 50-yard touchdown by Freedom's Kreg Fulbright.
But East Burke struck again on its next possession. Another big pass play, this time 68 yards from Lail to Debro gave the Cavs a 28-7 lead just before intermission.
Debro scored his third touchdown of the game on a 24-yard run on East Burke's first possession of the second half. Kenny Gaither had a 35-yard run to open the drive. Then Carson caught a 32-yard pass from Lail to give the Cavs a first down at the Freedom 24. Debro ran around his left end, hurdled a Freedom defender and continued on to the end zone for the score.
Freedom again drove deep into East Burke territory but had to settle for a 30-yard field goal by Wesley Franklin. East Burke got those points back on its first possession of the fourth quarter on a 41-yard field goal by Justin Powell.
The Patriots ended the scoring on an 87-yard drive late in the quarter. Helms finished the drive with a 6-yard touchdown pass to Dean ONeil.
"We're disappointed in some things," said Freedom coach Mike Helms. "We played better in some areas than others. East Burke is a good team. Some things we did well in. Some things we've got to be better."
With the win, East Burke tied the series with Freedom at 18.
East Burke returns to action next Friday night as the Cavs travel to Hibriten for another non-conference game. Freedom (0-2) travels to Draughn for the first varsity match up between the two schools.