CHERRY VALLEY -- Quarterback Chanc Gray accounted for three rushing touchdowns as East Poinsett County (6-3, 5-1 3-2A) churned out 277 yards on the ground on its way to a 36-22 victory over Cross County (7-2, 4-1).
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Gray finished with 82 yards rushing on 16 attempts while also throwing a touchdown pass on his lone completion. Tailback Eric Driver ran 20 times for 106 yards, and fullback Trevor Walker had 89 yards and a score on nine carries.
Jacob Thomas led Cross County with 169 yards passing and 2 touchdowns, and Marcus Boykins had 6 receptions for 114 yards and a score. Sophomore running back Jackson Henderson added 122 rushing yards on 31 carries. EPC came from 22-14 down at the half with a 22-0 second half.
"It was huge for us [shutting Cross County out in the second half]," EPC Coach Brandon Powell said after the game. "We made a few adjustments at halftime, and it worked out well for us, luckily."
The Thundbirds turned the ball over on downs at midfield in four plays to begin the second half and gave the ball to EPC, which tied the game 22-22 after tight end Peyton Phillips hauled in a fourth-down reception over the middle for a touchdown, followed by a two-point conversion run from Gray with 5:15 left in the third quarter.
The Warriors added a second touchdown in the quarter with 11 seconds remaining to take a 30-22 lead after a 7-yard scoring run from Trevor Walker to the left side of the formation. Gray added the two-point conversion.
"Our offensive line was creating holes, and our backs were hitting them," Powell said. "They all did a great job."
Gray added his third score with 8:15 left to give the Warriors a 36-22 lead on a 2-yard touchdown run.
"This was huge, and as a head coach, the biggest win I've gotten so far," Powell said. "The team really wanted it."
Sports on 10/29/2016