For the Daily Reporter
GASTON — For Eastern Hancock, improvement is the name of the game. After a 48-22 victory Friday against Wes-Del in a game that was not as close as that lopsided score indicated, the Royals early returns indicate significant improvement over a year ago.
The Royals got off to a quick start with an eight-play touchdown drive after the opening kickoff. Royals sophomore quarterback Houston Swan stayed hot from last week, completing all five passes on the opening drive along with running it in himself from the 10-yard line for the touchdown to cap it off.
Eastern Hancock wasn’t able to completely take control of the game right away, however. A steady Wes-Del ground game and Eastern Hancock turnovers made this a tight game midway through the second quarter. On the Royals second drive, a fumble ended a drive around midfield, and the next drive contained Swan’s one mistake on the night with an interception. Following the interception, Wes-Del was able to grind out a touchdown and tie the game at 6-6.
“We had a tough time keeping the ball there in the first half,” Royals coach Doug Armstrong said after the game. “Getting sloppy with the ball and allowing them to get a few first downs that we should have prevented kind of kept us from getting going.”
The Royals did not seem fazed, though. In quick succession, they ripped off 22 points to take a 28-6 lead into the half. One of those touchdowns included a beautiful throw by Swan to running back Victor Olivo on a wheel route for a 29-yard touchdown. Swan would finish the game 19 of 21 with 223 yards and four touchdown passes.
After two quick touchdowns in the third quarter, the IHSAA’s new Mercy Rule went into effect. A running clock used up the final 18 minutes of the game and some younger players were able to gain some experience and secure the victory for the Royals.
“I’ve told these guys that every day we need to improve,” Armstrong said. “We played the same two teams to start the year last year and had two close wins. We’ve definitely improved on that so far.”
Last year, the first two victories came by a combined 20 points. This year, those two victories came by a combined 55.
The Royals will get a chance to avenge a loss from last year when travel to Fountain Central for a 7 p.m. kickoff next Friday.
