East Chambers suffers first loss to Hardin
Colby West of East Chambers heads for the endzone on this 73-yard touchdown reception on Thursday night at Buccaneer Stadium against Hardin. Photo by Chris Cody
WINNIE– Things started great on Thursday night for East Chambers as they scored in the first minute against Hardin, but that would be it for the offense until the fourth quarter as the Hornets rolled to a 43-21 district win at Buccaneer Stadium.
East Chambers (4-1, 1-1) started quickly as quarterback JD Zurby connected with Colby West on a 73-yard strike just 56 seconds into the game and the Buccaneers led 7-0.
Hardin would come right back as Javion Watley scored on a 5-yard run, and the game was even at 7-7 with 6:50 left in the opening quarter.
The next East Chambers drive saw them advance to the Hornets' 32-yard line before turning the ball over on downs.
Hardin then went 68 yards as Watley scored from 6 yards out, and the Hornets led 14-7 with 11:24 left in the second quarter.
Hardin (6-0, 2-0) added two more scores before the first half ended, with Watley scoring on touchdown runs of 8 and 1 yards, and the Hornets enjoyed a 28-7 halftime lead.
The Hornets would then take the second half kickoff and add to their lead with a Kolton Bishop 1-yard touchdown run that used eight minutes off the clock to make it 36-7.
The Buccaneers cut into the deficit with 8:10 left in the game, with Kolby Jones scoring from the 1-yard line. Zurby had a 16-yard run down to the Hardin 22-yard line that helped the drive.
After a Hornets touchdown made it 43-14, Darius Edmonson scored from 2 yards out with 1:10 left in the game for the final EC points.
The win puts Hardin in the driver's seat in District 10-3A II, as the Buccaneers move into a tie with Orangefield for second place.
The Swamp Bowl will take place on Friday night in Anahuac, as the Buccaneers will face off against the Panthers in a big rivalry game.