The Cougars feasted on the Blue Dons with a 66-12 victory in the season opener in Baker.
East Hardy cruised to a 39-nil halftime lead over Madonna en route to the devouring conclusion in front of a huge home crowd.
“It was fantastic seeing everybody here. It was the first game with butterflies and nobody knows how it will go, but it was great to put one together in the home opener. It has been a while since we started 1-0 with the strength of schedule we have had. It feels a lot better than getting whooped by Wahama for several years in a row. I couldn’t be be more proud to see our fans out and hope to keep seeing them with the tough schedule we have ahead. I hope they were pleased with the product they saw. We have some things to clean up, but we have a ton of talent on this team. We have a list of guys to get the ball to. We weren’t able to get the ball to Brinn Childers and Angelo Loulis as much as we would have liked, but that was mostly by design. I was real pleased with Trevor’s execution of the offense out there and he called some audibles today. I was pleased with our execution on both sides of the ball. Defensively, our starters were lights out. I have a lot of respect for the Blue Dons, but our defense was able to step up and make stops. Nehemiah has worked for that position and I am glad he could showcase his talent today. At the end of the day, this is just a game and it is important to come together in moments like these,” East Hardy coach Devon Orndorff stated.
The Blue Dons started the game with an onside kick and East Hardy methodically went to work marching down the field for a touchdown in 11 plays.
East Hardy’s Elijah Ludwig recorded the initial first down of the season on a 15-yard reception from quarterback Trevor Roof during the first play.
Nehemiah Graham converted a third down with a two-yard carry to move the chains at the 27-yard line for the Cougars.
A couple penalties pushed East Hardy back, but Roof found openings to dash down inside the five-yard line.
Graham finished off the series with a four-yard touchdown run jamming through the defense and the ball popped loose when slamming to the ground in the end zone and Mason Wilkins added the PAT creating a 7-0 edge at 8:14.
Madonna had a quick third and out possession with a pair of errant throws sandwiching a tackle for loss by East Hardy’s Nick Roomsburg leading to a punt.
East Hardy’s Brinn Childers made a punt return touchdown, but it was negated on a holding call.
The Cougars commenced the second series inside Blue Dons territory at the 45-yard line and took eight plays to hit pay dirt again.
Dayton Dove snatched a pass for a first down at the 31 and Graham spun his way to the red zone for another chain-moving sequence.
East Hardy capped off the drive as Roof connected with Ludwig on a 15-yard touchdown strike and the conversion failed on a penalty making it 13-0 at 4:14.
Madonna managed one first down on the following series, but a sack by Cooper Eckard and Dayton Dove forced a punt.
The Cougars opened the second quarter without gaining a first down and punted away.
Graham forced a fumble and it was recovered by Roomsburg inside the Blue Dons red zone.
Two plays transpired with Graham garnering a 16-yard touchdown run and the kick was blocked for a 19-0 lead at 10:29.
Madonna faced another short possession punting in four plays.
Childers made two huge first down catches to move the Cougars to the Madonna 30.
Graham caught a pass and dodged tackles to enter the red zone at the eight yard line.
Graham wrapped up the drive on an eight yard run and Wilkins made the kick for a 26-0 lead at 5:37.
“It was very special. I didn’t just do it. It was our whole team. We can never do it alone and we never do it alone, because we have God on our shoulders. I pray to God everyday and he blesses me even though I don’t deserve it. I come out here surrounded by these beautiful people. We come out here and work like dogs, we sweat and we bleed and at the end of the day, God gave us this beautiful win. My favorite Bible verse is Philippians 4:13. We always need to pray to God, without Him we can’t do anything. He is my rock. It was a beautiful thing seeing all these fans get hyped. It hasn’t been like this in a long time and it was just a sweet taste,” East Hardy junior running back Nehemiah Graham remarked.
Madonna reached Cougars territory for the first time, but the drive stalled with several bad passes leading to a punt.
In four plays, East Hardy returned to the end zone as Dove hauled in a 52-yard touchdown pass and the conversion failed for a 32-0 score with 1:54 left in the first half.
“It was super special. I loved every minute of it. Now we have to prepare for Pendleton County, watch game film and do everything right this week. The coaches gave us the right game plan and I listened to Coach Orndorff running the flats. Nehemiah ran well and our line did a great job. It was a great team win,” East Hardy senior quarterback Trevor Roof noted.
Ludwig made an interception against the Blue Dons on the first play at the 37.
The Cougars pounced back to the end zone in three plays which included a 27-yard catch by Dove tiptoeing down the sideline inside the five.
Graham got the touchdown nod on a three yard run and Wilkins added the PAT for a 39-0 advantage entering the locker rooms.
During halftime, East Hardy Girls Wrestling state champion Morganne Miller was recognized for her achievement with a special ring ceremony.
Madonna didn’t have a season last year due to numbers and scored its first touchdown in two years as Lancaster rushed in from three yards out.
The score capped off a nine-play drive which started at their own 35-yard line on the opening series of the third quarter at 7:32, 39-6.
The Cougars responded on the ensuing kickoff as Dove returned the ball 90 yards for a touchdown to make it 45-6.
The Blue Dons reached the red zone, but failed to score and settled for a turnover on downs as Angelo Loulis deflected a pass.
Graham ignited an 89-yard touchdown run down the sideline and Wilkins added the PAT for a 52-6 lead at 3:53.
Madonna fumbled the kickoff and the ball was recovered by Krystian Byram, scooping it up and finding the end zone for a touchdown as East Hardy went up 58-6 with under two minutes to go in the third stanza with a running clock.
Madonna scored on the next series to start the fourth quarter and cut the deficit to 58-12.
The Blue Dons kicker whiffed on the ensuing kickoff causing an offsides.
A second attempt on an onside kick came up short and was given one more chance to kick.
East Hardy’s Luke Holliday recorded the final touchdown and conversion for the 66-12 win.
The field tripped up a Blue Dons player on the last drive.
The teams gathered together after the game to pray for an injured Blue Dons player.
East Hardy will face Pendleton County, a Wildcats team coming off a close win against Petersburg.
