ELIZABETHTOWN — It might be easy to look at Friday’s game with visiting West Columbus as the next best thing to an open week as East Bladen will get this season. After all, the facts bear that thinking out.
The Vikings are 0-5 all-time against the Eagles.
The Vikings lost the last meeting with the Eagles, in October 2088, by a 31-7 verdict.
The Vikings are the lowest-scoring team in the Three Rivers Conference so far this season, with just 28 total points.
The Vikings have the worst defense in the Three Rivers Conference so far this season, allowing a total of 225 points.
On the flip side, East Bladen has scored 130 points in five games and allowed a conference-best 42 points this season.
But Eagles fans can rest assured that coach Robby Priest won’t let his players look past West Columbus to next week’s looming confrontation with Fairmont. Instead, Priest has had his Eagles focusing on getting better with execution, avoiding turnovers and finishing off drives.
And the Vikings do have players that will demand East Bladen’s attention.
On offense, quarterback Kwashawn Tyson can be a threat through the air and on the ground. He is 21-for-37 on his passes for 153 yards with one interception. Behind him, Tyson has running back Nigel Ceesay and Za’quis Leach to carry the bulk of the ground game.
On defense, West Columbus is led by Ceesay at linebacker, who leads the Vikings in solo tackles.
East Bladen, now 4-1 overall and 2-1 in the conference, is coming off a 34-6 win at Red Springs; West Columbus, 0-5 and 0-3, is coming off a 49-8 thumping at the hands of South Columbus.
Kickoff on Friday at Lenon Fisher Stadium is set for 7 p.m.
W. Curt Vincent can be reached at 910-862-4163 or cvincent@bladenjournal.com.