Eller earns honor after big playoff showing
East Hamilton High School’s football program has taken a big step forward.
For the first time since 2013 the Hurricanes hosted and won a TSSAA playoff game as the offense was full throttle totaling 537 yards in last Friday’s 56-20 win over Sullivan South.
Senior Haynes Eller was brilliant behind center. The 6-foot-4 quarterback — who has drawn interest from Division I FCS programs — had his second 300-yard passing game this season to exact revenge on an opponent which put his team out of the playoffs last year.
Eller completed 23- of-29 passes for 324 yards and four touchdown passes, and also ran for a 19-yard score to earn Times Free Press Player of the Week honors.
“That win was an allaround effort. We had great pass protection all night and the receivers ran really good routes,” a humble Eller said. “Everybody came in focused, did their job and executed from start to finish.
“To win that game means a lot to us. A lot of good things have happened since Coach Reynolds came here and brought in a new coaching staff. The program is definitely on the incline and it’s great to be a part of that.”
Kaunyae Burgans was able to exploit mismatches against Sullivan South as Eller connected with the 6- foot-3 junior receiver 13 times for 171 yards and three touchdowns. Jeremiah Flemmons reeled in a touchdown grab, while Jaxon Flemmons and Blaine Savage were also key in the passing attack.
East Hamilton ( 8- 3) will look again for Eller to help spark a big performance this Friday night in Johnson City as the Hurricanes travel to take on defending Class 4A state champion Elizabethton (11-0). This is East Hamilton’s first eight-win season since 2015.
In just nine starts this season — missing the East Ridge game due to COVID-19 contact tracing and the Howard game due to a coronavirus forfeit win — Eller has completed 127-of-196 for 1,715 yards with 17 total touchdowns and just three interceptions.
With a first round victory, Eller and his teammates will enjoy a second round of steak dinners this Thursday as the Touchdown Club sponsors those meals each week the team remains in the playoffs.
“Haynes is a natural leader,” Reynolds said of his quarterback who has thrown for over 4,000 yards and 39 touchdowns over the past two seasons. “He calms guys down and knows when to get on their butt as well. He is a great teammate and gives his teammates credit for what they do around him. He has a big arm, has the size and and all of his teammates have the utmost confidence in him.”