Will Day finished with 70 rushing yards on 13 carries, an 84 yard kick return at a massive turning point in the game, and two interceptions. I don’t have his tackle numbers, but it felt like a lot. Tremendous all around game from your best player in a big moment, all you can ask.
Dorian Thomas carries 23 times for 96 yards and three touchdowns. Overcame an early fumble for a really nice night. And getting Thomas so many carries keeps Day fresh for the number of snaps he plays both ways.
Cole Ordway was 7-13 for 72 yards and ran for 70 yards and a touchdown. He’s not a kid who is doing to go play big time football, but he’s blossomed into a really nice high school quarterback. Tough, smart, under control. If he can find a little more touch on the deep ball in the playoffs, look out.
The penalties are a problem, I think they committed ten last night! But most are penalties if aggression - a pass interference in the end zone, a couple holds, running into the kicker, 5 yard facemask - it’s not the plethora of false starts, substitution penalties, etc. that have plagued Easton in recent years. Still, free yards against good teams is a problem.
Underrated play of the night is the Sean McPeek interception in the end zone. Freedom had a pretty easy drive right down to the 10 yard line after the Easton fumble. McPeek was in perfect position covering a fade route, turned his head at the last second and the ball was right there - I can’t believe he actually caught it given how little reaction time he had after finding the ball. He’s only a sophomore, but had played exceptionally well in the back half of the year.
Aaron Beete has 74 yards in the first half, only 24 on 10 carries the second half. And most of those came on the opening drive of the half. The defense changed the game following the short punt (speaking of disasters) and score by Freedom.