Mustangs top Eagles for first victory of year

In a battle between two teams desperately trying to avoid an 0-2 start, East High made more key plays down the stretch Friday night.

The No. 6 Mustangs defeated Evangelical Christian School, in ECS’ home opener, 27-20, after overcoming a 14-point first half deficit.

“It wasn’t pretty, but all that counts is the end result,” said East coach Marcus Wimberly. “You got to fight through adversity sometimes. In football, it’s one of those games that’s not always gonna be perfect, but you just got to gut it out and find a way to do it.”

After a sluggish first half by East, a 90yard kickoff return for a touchdown by East senior running back Devante Turner pulled the Mustangs within 14-7 at halftime. From there, the momentum shifted.

“I feel like when you got the team behind you, you can do anything,” Parker said about his kickoff return for a touchdown. “You do what you have to do for your team to be successful.”

East got the ball to start the second half and scored within two minutes as senior quarterback Devin Banks threw a 37-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Teddrick McGhee.

East missed the extra point attempt, allowing ECS to take a 14-13 lead into the fourth quarter.

After several missed opportunities, the Mustangs finally took their first lead with 9:06 left in the fourth when wide receiver Timothy Taylor showed his versatility by scoring on a 19-yard run. East then converted on a 2-point conversion to take a 21-14 lead.

The Eagles and junior quarterback Keegan Westbrook responded with a touchdown drive of their own, capped by Westbrook’s one-yard quarterback sneak, his second rushing touchdown of the game. However, a blocked extra point attempt meant the Mustangs still held a 21-20 advantage, one they wouldn’t relinquish.

After two tough losses to open the season, first-year ECS coach Alan Durham said his team needs to execute better down the stretch, but he said luck hasn’t been on the Eagles’ side this season.

“Sometimes it falls on your side, sometimes it doesn’t,” Durham said. “It hasn’t been falling our way here lately.”

ECS will look for its first victory of the season Friday when it travels to Northpoint, while East will go on the road to play Kingsbury at Melrose Stadium.