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Cavs bounce back, cruise past Spartans

John M. Setzler Jr.

East Burke quarterback Zack Cranford unloads the ball to a teammate before getting sacked by South Caldwell's Parker Sanders (11) and Alex Williams (42).

By LEE SHOOK

Record Sports Correspondent

Published: October 4, 2008

HUDSON - East Burke High rebounded from a one-point overtime loss by rolling past South Caldwell 30-8 on Friday night.

Senior quarterback Zack Cranford led the visiting Cavs with two touchdown passes and a TD run as they followed a one-point overtime loss last Friday at A.C. Reynolds with a Northwestern 4A victory over the Spartans.

"We needed this badly," said East Burke head coach Mike Biggerstaff, whose team is 3-3 overall and 1-1 in the league. "I was scared to death after last week and a game we thought we had won.

"I was glad to see the guys bounce back."

After the Cavs had gained only 10 yards passing in the previous two games, Cranford completed four-of-eight passes for 72 yards against the Spartans.

"We practiced really hard on passing this week," said Cranford. "I felt relaxed tonight for the first time in a while.

"The way they (the Spartans) played defense, they couldn't defend the option. If they took (fullback) Tyler (Shatley), I was open."

The Cavs' first score came on a 10-play drive on their second possession. After a 37-yard gain by Eric Carson, Cranford finished the drive on the second play of the second quarter.

Cranford faked a handoff to Shatley and followed his fullback into the end zone. The Spartans blocked Justin Powell's PAT.

East Burke scored again on its next possession. Carson again accounted for the big play on the four-play drive, a 44-yard pass completion from Cranford. Dustin Wilson then swung out of the backfield and caught an 11-yard TD pass. Shatley converted the two-point conversion for a 14-0 East Burke lead.

The Cavs scored one more time at the end of the half. South Caldwell quarterback Cody Poarch completed a short pass to Parker Sanders, but Sanders fumbled and Billy Abee picked up the loose ball for East Burke and returned it to the Spartans' 11. Two plays later, Cranford passed to Chris Toney for a TD and 21-0 lead.

The third quarter was scoreless, although the Spartans (3-4, 1-1) threatened to score on the last play of the quarter.

South Caldwell running back Alex Williams sprinted 66 yards before fumbling at the 1 as he was tackled from behind. East Burke's Josh Duckworth scooped the ball up in the end zone and returned it to Spartans' 20.

Wilson and Ken Gaither helped the Cavs move to the South Caldwell 16 before the drive stalled, and Powell kicked a 33-yard field goal.

The Spartans scored late, when Poarch threw 11 yards to Sanders for a TD. The same duo hooked up on a two-point conversion pass.

East Burke closed the scoring after forcing a turnover, getting a 13-yard TD run by Gaither.