October 31, 2015
East Prairie succumbs to Malden 42-8 in C2D1 semifinal
sports@standard-democrat.com MALDEN -- Despite playing undefeated top-seed Malden, there were a lot of reasons for the fifth-seeded East Prairie Eagles to be optimistic entering Friday's Class 2, District 1 semifinal matchup. In their last meeting, in mid-September, the Eagles were without starting quarterback Brett Ellis, yet battled to within a touchdown of the Green Wave at halftime before ultimately falling 38-20...
By Brent Shipman - Standard Democrat
sports@standard-democrat.com
MALDEN -- Despite playing undefeated top-seed Malden, there were a lot of reasons for the fifth-seeded East Prairie Eagles to be optimistic entering Friday's Class 2, District 1 semifinal matchup.
In their last meeting, in mid-September, the Eagles were without starting quarterback Brett Ellis, yet battled to within a touchdown of the Green Wave at halftime before ultimately falling 38-20.
East Prairie had Ellis back under center for Friday's game, but Malden would make sure there was no chance of an upset.
With 325 yards on the ground the Green Wave cruised to a 30-point lead by the break before sealing a 42-8 win that sets them up for a rematch with Caruthersville in the district title game.
"They did a great job taking away the edge," Eagles' head coach Chad Jamerson said. "We weren't able to get outside on them. The way the offense works for us right now is you have to give up something and if we can take the edge, then that opens up the middle.
"If we take the middle that opens up the edge and quite frankly we took away both tonight."
In last week's opening round game against Portageville, East Prairie gained 335 of their 355 total yards on the ground. Malden held them to just 121 rushing yards and 155 overall.
A good chunk of those came on a 31-yard pass on the opening drive that had the Eagles looking to take an early lead, until a dropped fourth down pass in the end zone gave the Green Wave their first chance on offense.
Malden never looked back, scoring on their first six possessions.
Chapen Riley found Zach Gray on a 21-yard scoring strike with 5:09 left in the first quarter and a 34-yard run from Kylus Thompson made it 16-0 heading into the second.
Nick Thompson had scoring runs of 37 and two yards respectively in the final six minutes of the half to make it 30-0 heading into the locker room.
"They came out and were physical," Jamerson said. "Nick Thompson was physical. They came out and took it to us. We just had trouble adjusting. We couldn't get rolling on offense and unfortunately they were more physical than us."
After suffering a foot injury in last week's game against Charleston, the Green Wave were relieved to see Thompson playing at full strength against East Prairie.
He gained rushed 15 times for 138 and three scored while averaging 9.2 yards-per-carry.
"He got the shot Monday, then set out Monday and Tuesday (at practice)," Malden head coach Joel Wyatt said. "He got back in the flow on Wednesday. I was really surprised he didn't come up gimpy any in practice or tonight.
"Just his presence, his passion and emotion rubs off on our kids. Just knowing he's out there our kids get a little more bounce in their step."
Thompson got plenty of help in the rushing attack with Kylus Thompson gaining 94 yards on just four carries. He scored on a 34-yard run and also had carries of 28 and 25 yards.
Tyler Currie was third on the team with 10 rushes for 82 yards.
As solid as the offense was, Wyatt felt his defense set the tone, especially early. Malden allowed only three plays of 10 yards or more in the first half and with a few key sacks holding the Eagles to 68 total yards at the break.
In the air East Prairie completed just 2 of 11 passes for 34 yards on the night.
"We played well on all phases on defense," Wyatt said. "Our run defense was great against their double wing. Our secondary played well. We only gave up the first third down of the game over there in front of their bench. We had them at third and long and they completed (the pass) down the sideline. Other than that our defensive backs played really well too."
With the win the defending champion Green Wave move on the host Caruthersville Friday in rematch of last year's title game.
Malden easily won that contest 61-16, but barely edged out the Tigers 29-28 earlier this season at home.
"They're not even the same team since we saw them in Week Two," Wyatt said of Caruthersville. "Neither are we, but they're not the same team. It's going to be a war. Coach Jimmy Jackson has done a good job in his second year. Peyton Faulkner is a player back there and a handful. The one thing about is we've gotten good practice playing (Kennett's Edward) Wilson and (Dexter's Ethan) Stevens."
East Prairie 0 0 0 8 - 8
Malden 16 14 12 0 - 42
First Quarter
M -- Zach Gray 21 pass from Chapen Riley (Kylus Thompson run good), 5:09
M -- Kylus Thompson 34 run (Nick Thompson run good), 0:31
Second Quarter
M -- Nick Thompson 37 run (Tyler Currie run good), 5:55
M -- Nick Thompson 2 run (Chapen Riley pass failed), 1:03
Third Quarter
M -- Nick Thompson 1 run (Tray Stevenson run failed), 10:32
M -- Zach Gray 16 pass from Chapen Riley (Chapen Riley kick failed), 1:38
Fourth Quarter
E -- Deverence Jones 4 run (Marcus Lewis run good), 0:10
TEAM STATISTICS
E M
Total Yards 155 391
Rushes-yards 34-121 36-325
Passing yards 34 66
Comp.-Att.-Int. 2-11-0 5-8-0
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing -- East Prairie, Derez Tipler 6-26, Deverence Jones 11-66, Blayn Goodding 3-16, Brett Ellis 8-(-2), Luke Marcum 2-1, Marcus Lewis 3-16, Brian Shoffner 1-(-2). Malden, Tyler Currie 10-82, Nick Thompson 15-138, Chapen Riley 1-(-9), Kylus Thompson 4-94, Tray Stevenson 2-11, Broddric Annesser 1-8, Mason Brown 1-0, Tye Miller 2-1.
Passing -- East Prairie, Brett Ellis 2-11-0 34. Malden, Chapen Riley 5-8-0 66.
Receiving -- East Prairie, Deverence Jones 2-34. Malden, Zach Grey 2-37, Kylus Thompson 3-29.
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