Eastern Hancock’s Kayden Ruble scored a touchdown and set up another in Friday’s game against Heritage Christian.
The Daily Reporter File Photo
Staff Report
CHARLOTTESVILLE — For the second week in a row, Eastern Hancock dropped a close, hard-fought game, and this time against a potential sectional opponent.
A late fourth-quarter score by Heritage Christian led to a 24-20 loss for the Royals, at home, Friday.
The Royals got on the board first with a 2-yard touchdown run by Mark Kube, set up by a long run after a catch by tight end Kayden Ruble. A failed conversion gave Eastern Hancock a 6-0 lead.
The Eagles responded right back with a short touchdown run later in the quarter by Elijah Pimental.
From there, the scoring stalled until late in the second half when Brayden Sullivan ran one in from five yards out for the 13-7 lead.
Heritage Christian scored the next 10 points. A field goal in the closing seconds of the half cut the lead to 13-10, and then a Vaughn Johnson touchdown run on the opening drive of the second half gave the Eagles back the lead 17-13.
A 25-yard touchdown pass from Elijah Edon to Ruble early in the fourth led to another lead change, but it wouldn’t be the last.
With just under six minutes remaining, Johnson punched in his second touchdown of the night for the game-winning score.
A late fourth down stop by the Royals’ defense gave the offense the ball back with just over a minute and 90 yards to go for the winning score, but they came up short.
The Royals dropped to 2-2 on the season and return to action next Friday at home against Knightstown.
