Heading out on the road against a tough opponent, the Eastbrook Panthers quickly and efficient took care of business on Friday night, scoring 27 first quarter points in a 48-20 rout of the Rochester Zebras.
Eastbrook’s defense was a turnover machine in the opening 12 minutes, forcing four turnovers which led a four-score advantage by the time the second quarter was getting underway.
“Those turnovers were just key to the whole game,” Eastbrook Head Coach Jeff Adamson said. “You don’t start off a game like that very often. Once you get off to a start like that, I think you’ve got a cushion that allows you to be aggressive on defense.”
With the defense providing a huge cushion, Eastbrook did what they do best – run the football – rushing for 405 yards on 56 carries as a team.
Edward Keasling was Eastbrook’s leading rusher, running for 157 yards and two touchdowns on just eight carries. Xaine Kirby got the majority of the carries, recording 148 yards and four touchdowns on 19 attempts. Justin Singer also scored in the Panthers’ victory.
“The two sides were really clicking together,” Adamson said. “It’s great to get the turnover, but you really have to capitalize on it. The defense getting us the ball and getting it in really good field position led to quick scores. I think that kind of ignited the offense.”
With the win, the Panthers will host the Cass Kings in the Sectional 35 Final next Friday night.
“Cass is just always a tough, defensive team,” Adamson said. “We will probably put a pretty big focus on our offensive line on trying to pick up some of their blitzes and those kinds of things.”