The Eastern Comets defeated the Clinton Prairie Gopher 25-8 on Friday to cap off the regular season.
With the win, the Comets claimed their fourth Hoosier Heartland Conference title, first since 2021.
It was a slow start for both teams in the first quarter. Clinton Prairie fumbled on their opening possession, but a third down sack by Braiden Jarboe forced a punt from Eastern.
After a punt from Clinton Prairie, Eastern quarterback Gibson Eagle connected with Bentley Hullinger who took it 58 yards for the first score.
After a pair of punts to starts the second, Clinton Prairie put together a sustained drive and Brady Allen found Kye Jacobs in the corner of the endzone for a 19 yard touchdown. The Gophers converted on the 2-point conversion to make it 8-6.
The score would stay that way through halftime. Out of the break, Eastern did not take long to take the momentum. Kaleb Hurt returned the opening kickoff 75 yards for the touchdown to take a 13-6 lead.
The kick off return was named the Solidarity Community Federal Credit Union Play of the Game.
After punts by Clinton Prairie on consecutive possessions, Eastern added 9 more points on Eagle’s second touchdown pass to Hullinger and a 43 yard field goal from Owen Tolle.
Eastern’s Gibson Eagle was named The Farmers Bank Player of the Game. Eagle finished 11-19 for 144 yards and two touchdowns, while adding 72 yards rushing.
Tolle would add another field goal late in the fourth and the Comets pitched a second half shutout to win 25-8.
The Gophers finish the regular season 3-5 and get a bye week to prepare for their Sectional game against Sheridan.
Eastern closes out the regular season at 8-1 and look to start their Sectional title defense Friday agaisnt Blackford.
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