CALYPSO — In an intense and hard-fought matchup, the North Duplin Rebels claimed a narrow 15–14 victory over the East Bladen Eagles on Friday night. The game was marked by turnovers, penalties, and frequent momentum swings, keeping fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.
First Quarter: Stalemate
The game opened with a kickoff to the Eagles, who began their first possession with a short three-yard run. After a strong series of rushing plays, East Bladen picked up a first down and pushed deep into Rebel territory. However, a holding penalty and a missed fourth-down pass stalled their drive, turning the ball over to North Duplin at their own 18-yard line.
The Rebels responded with a big run from No. 21 Carell Phillips on a handoff from No. 10 Keiz Brock, moving the chains. Despite several solid runs, North Duplin was forced to punt. A sideline penalty on the Eagles, however, gave the Rebels the ball back only for a fumble to swing possession once again to East Bladen.
The Eagles connected on a deep pass to move to the Rebel 37-yard line, but the North Duplin defense, led by No. 99 Trashawn Ruffin tightened up. East Bladen made another big completion to get inside the 10-yard line, but time expired before they could score.
End of First Quarter: 0–0
Second Quarter: Stalemate Before Halftime
The second quarter started with a bang the Eagles fumbled, and the Rebels recovered. Despite the favorable field position, North Duplin went three-and-out and punted. The Eagles regained possession but were quickly stopped by a strong tackle from No. 14 Holden Williams.
Moments later, a high snap on third down gave the Rebels another opportunity as No. 44 Noa Quintanilla scooped up the loose ball and ran it in for a touchdown at the 7:59 mark. The extra point attempt was no good, but the Rebels took the lead, 6–0.
The Rebels surprised the Eagles with an onside kick and recovered at midfield. A penalty backed them up, however, and they were forced to punt again. East Bladen’s offense began to find rhythm, picking up first downs behind strong runs by No. 5 Jayden Pope and No. 21 Carell Phillips
Penalties slowed both teams a holding call on the Eagles and a pass interference on the Rebels extended the drive. The Eagles capitalized with a touchdown pass but their two-point conversion attempt failed, tying the game.
Halftime Score: Rebels 6, Eagles 6
Third Quarter: Eagles take a lead
North Duplin opened the second half with the ball at their own 39-yard line. No. 21 Carell Phillips broke free for a big gain, but a holding call nullified the play. After failing to convert on fourth down, the Rebels turned it over.
East Bladen seized the moment. A series of runs, including a big one by the running back, set up a touchdown at the 5:51 mark. The two-point conversion was good, putting the Eagles ahead 14–6.
North Duplin answered with determination. A facemask penalty on East Bladen gave them momentum, followed by another on the next play. The Rebels continued to push the ball downfield as the third quarter ended.
End of Third Quarter: Eagles 14, Rebels 6
Fourth Quarter: Rebels Turn It Around and Seal the Victory
Early in the fourth, the Rebels’ drive stalled on a failed fourth-down attempt. But the defense responded in a big way No. 99 Trashawn Ruffin delivered a hard hit to stop an Eagles run, and a bad snap resulted in a safety, giving North Duplin two points.
With the score now 14–8, the Rebels received the ball at the 35-yard line following a kickoff out of bounds. No. 5 Jayden Pope picked up key yards, and on fourth down, No. 10 Keiz Brock connected with No. 5 Jayden Pope for a crucial conversion. Moments later, No. 99 Trashawn Ruffin caught a short pass from No. 10 Keiz Brock for a touchdown. The extra point by No. 31 Rimi Villalon was good, putting the Rebels ahead 15–14.
The Eagles tried to rally but were pushed back by penalties and a fumble recovered by the Rebels. No. 40 Ethan Turnage powered through several runs to drain the clock. East Bladen got the ball back with just over three minutes remaining but faced relentless pressure from the Rebel defense.
In the closing seconds, a final pass attempt was broken up by No. 7 Vance Carter. The Rebels sealed the win as the clock hit zero, with a swarm of defenders making the final tackle.
Final Score: North Duplin Rebels 15, East Bladen Eagles 14
The Rebels’ resilience and defensive toughness proved the difference in a game defined by turnovers and grit. North Duplin’s comeback in the fourth quarter showcased their determination and teamwork, earning them a well-deserved victory over a tough East Bladen squad.
Post interview
After an incredible game, I had the opportunity to speak with Coach Hugh Martin. He shared his thoughts on the team’s performance, saying, “We had a tough game tonight. We played with heart and compassion the whole night, and we came away with the victory.”
Coach Martin praised both teams for their effort, noting, “Both teams are really good, and this was a great conference match-up for us.” He also expressed gratitude to the fans, saying, “We are so thankful as a team for everyone coming out and supporting us. I don’t think the community knows how grateful we are that they really help build the team mindset, and no matter what, we need that support.”
Up next for the North Duplin Rebels is another conference showdown, this time against West Columbus on Oct. 10. A big thank you to the coaches, players, and school for allowing me to cover such an exciting game.
