One step closer to a repeat: Eastside clobbers North Marion at home in district showdown

Last season when Eastside defeated North Marion to inch toward the Class 2S District 7 crown, it marked a shift in the district from Marion to Alachua County for the first time in years.

When the two teams reconvened Thursday night at Citizens Field, no upset was needed.

Eastside dominated in all three phases of the game and knocked off the Colts 42-0 in Gainesville. The win ended a two-game losing streak – to Buchholz and Bradford – for the Rams (3-2, 1-0 Class 2S-District 7).

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“I told the boys, ‘let’s get back to winning,’” Eastside coach Gator Hoskins said. “To be district champs, we got to take care of business and we did. It felt great”

After beating Santa Fe 31-17 two weeks ago, a win Thursday would have clinched the district for NM (1-3, 0-1 2S-7). Now, EHS just needs to defeat the Raiders on October 27 to reclaim their title.

Safety and team captain DJ Anderson noted the pressure on the team and their plan to seize it.

After a Colts punt, the Rams marched down the field, and Corvin Byrd scored from four yards out to take a 6-0 lead.

From there, Eastside scored on three of its next four possessions to eventually build a 28-0 halftime lead.

The run game was especially impressive. It scored four of five of EHS’ offensive TDs – Byrd, Joshua Benjamin, Kenneth McClellan and Adrian Curtis.

Curtis behind center threw the other TD on a 55 yarder to Davion Pugh. The lone other score occurred on special teams when the Rams blocked a punt and picked it up in the endzone.

Hoskins said the team made it a goal in practice to make a game-changing special teams play.

Finally, on defense, Eastside picked off sophomore QB Isaac Smith five times. Anderson claimed two.

The Colts only real attempt at scoring came late in the game with a running clock, but the Rams secured one last interception and pitched its second shutout of the season – first against Keystone Heights 35-0 on September 1.

With the dub, EHS just needs to defeat the Raiders on October 27 to reclaim its district title.

“For these guys to get back in the playoffs means a lot,” Hoskins said. “All the college guys are going to be in the playoffs, so that gives you a chance to earn yourself some scholarships.”

Eastside travels to Ridgeview (Orange Park) next Friday, while North Marion hosts Vanguard (Ocala).

Noah Ram covers Gainesville-area high school sports and University of Florida athletics for The Gainesville Sun. Contact him at Nram@gannett.com and follow him @Noah_ram1 on Twitter. 

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Eastside beats North Marion in Class 2S District 7 game at Citizens Field