Easley High School Principal Josh Oxendine awards Sam Houston a game ball in honor of his first win for the Green Wave football team. EHS rolled to a 41-14 win over Wade Hampton.
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EASLEY — Sam Houston was awarded a game ball late on Friday night that just lit up to the tune of: 1st Career Win. EHS 41, Wade Hampton 14. September 6, 2024. Plus, the big Easley High School logo (in Kelly green) was drawn on the football.
It’s a memory that Coach Houston will cherish the rest of his life.
“It’s awesome. I love this place so much and these kids. I told them – at the end of the day – it is not about me,” said Houston. “It is about them and the work they put in. I’m excited for them to get this first one. We’ll continue to build on it as we go.”
Senior captain Kyler Turner, too, helped lead the Green Wave team to their best defensive effort of the season.
“I love being a captain and leading this team,” Turner said. “The brotherhood of this team is a lot tighter than it has been in recent years and I think that is the bonds and friendships we’ve created outside of school as well. Just being there for each other and trusting each other on every play. I’m there leading them to the best of my ability.”
Jay Stoker (Jr., QB): “It was great and really good for us to get some momentum going into the bye week. We were fundamentally sound tonight and we executed what we were supposed to do, and it showed on the scoreboard. Overall, it was a great win for the team.”
Kaiden Erby (Jr., DB): “The defense wasn’t looking too good the last couple of weeks giving up 40 points back to back, but it showed that that is not us. We stepped it up and showed what we can really do. I just try to do my own assignment. I don’t try to do anyone else’s job and that’s what it’s all about.”
Kyler Turner (Sr., LB): “I think our confidence on defense is going through the roof right now. Fourteen points is a great comeback compared to what we’ve been giving up to Wren and Powdersville. It’s good to see our guys flying around and doing our assignments, and getting to the ball.”
Scoring summary:
1: EHS (:43): Aaron Tolbert, 10-yard pass from Jay Stocker (Massey kick)
2: EHS (7:36): Matthew Hillstock, 83-yard pass from Jay Stoker (Massey kick)
3: EHS (:44): Matthew Hillstock, 43-yard pass from Jay Stoker (Massey kick)
3: WH (8:25): Jaqwon Haygood, 92-yard pass from Jamarion McKinney (Hicks kick)
3: EHS (4:26): Aaron Tolbert, 11-yard run (Massey kick)
4: EHS (10:41): Aaron Tolbert, 13-yard run (Massey kick)
4: EHS (8:12): Jay Stoker, QB keeper
4: WH (6:18): Will Kay, pass from Jamarion McKinney
RUSHING: EHS – Aaron Tolbert 18-121, Jay Stoker 11-69, Raja Irby 5-10, Connor Wheaton 1 1-4.
WH – Jamarion McKinney 15-67, James Coleman 6-12.
PASSING: EHS – Jay Stoker 14-18-0 255.
WH – Jamarion McKinney 17-31-1 228.
RECEIVING: EHS – Matthew Hillstock 7-158, Caden Blassingame 2-50, Jonathan Isham 3-36, Aaron Tolbert 2-11.
WH: Jaqwon Haygood 6-117, Will Kay 4-75, Jaydin Hopkins 5-31, Jaquavious 2-5.
Interceptions: EHS – Cason Brewington