By DAN BISER
Sports Editor

With two important wins in hand, the East Columbus Gators will try to make it three-in-a-row Friday night when they entertain the winless Red Springs Red Devils.

Gametime is 7:30

Behind an offense that rolled up more than 500 yards, the Gators took a 32-20 victory over West Bladen last Friday in their home opener.

East Columbus, which finished at 3-8 last year and 0-11 in 2006, now appears set to start turning the corner with its program under third-year head coach Travis Conner.

Conner said that going against the 0-3 Red Springs team will be another big test for the Gators, despite the fact that the young Red Devils are facing an uphill battle this spring.

“After what happened last year at their place, we have to come out sharp and stay that way the entire game,” Conner noted.

In last year’s game at Red Springs, the Gators held a 29-20 lead with just over two minutes remaining. However, the previously winless Red Devils scored a pair of the touchdowns, converting a well executed on-side kick in between, to come away with a 34-29 win. It was one of only two wins the Red Devils had last season.

Red Springs, which bowed to Whiteville 34-0 last week, is under second-year head coach Clay Jernigan, a native of Tabor City. The Red Devils lost their opener to Overhills 46-6 and then fell to Lakewood 36-6. Red Springs is playing several sophomores and freshmen on a regular basis.

The ECHS ground game is paced by quarterback Alex Williamson and running backs Fred Blanks, B.J. Bracey and Quintin Ashe.

Williamson has connected with wide receiver Alan Bracey for touchdown passes in each of the last two games.
The Gators opened the season with a 20-12 loss but bounced back to defeat West Columbus 30-15.