Sports - September 2002

East rolls to a big win over Highland Tech

TERRANCE THOMAS, LTN Staff Writer

September 9, 2002 - DENVER — East Lincoln’s confidence has to be sky high about now.

The Mustangs hammered Highland Tech 59-0 to register it second straight shutout.

The Mustangs racked up yards and points like a pinball machine.

Running back Andre Tinsley ran for 146 yards and four touchdowns while fullback Trey Hamlin added 112 and another score. As a team, East ran for over 300 yards.

The Mustangs didn’t waste any time scoring. Highland Tech fumbled away the opening kickoff, East gave the ball to Tinsley from the 7, he got to the 1 and then scored on the next carry.

On the next drive, backup running back T.J. Smith ran for 22 yards to set up an Ellis Dunston field goal.

On the next series, Tinsley rambled for 11 yards to cap  55-yard touchdown drive.

On the very next series, Mustang quarterback Dennis Hickman threw a deep pass to Jadarious Roseboro who hauled in and took it to the house for a 52-yard touchdown.

That was Hickman’s only pass of the night. It was  24-0 at that point but it was still early in the second quarter. When Highland punted again, Adrian McLean returned the punt 33 yards for yet another score.

Tinsley added another touchdown on a 11-yard spurt to came it 46-0 at halftime.

It was simply a cakewalk.

In the second half, the time clock didn’t stop after a touchdown by Smith who also ran one in from 11 yards out.

Hamlin had the final highlight of the night. He broke free from the Mustangs’ 13 and didn’t stop until paydirt (an 87-yard run).

East kicker Ellis Dunston probably earned a letter in the game. He kicked a field goal, ran for a two-point conversion and missed just one extra point for a total of 12 points.

East has outscored its last two opponents 107-0.

That makes a team feel good about itself.

“It was a good practice for us,” said Hamlin. “It was a good tuneup. They (Highland Tech) will be good. They have a lot of freshmen and sophomores.”

“We’re playing well right now but we got to continue to get better obviously,” said East head coach Jim Ruark. “The Tinsley kid is a special guy. He worked real hard this spring on speed, quickness and strength. He has great instincts he sees the field well.

“But the offensive line did the job up front. The line did a number on some linebackers. He ran the ball well but so did T.J. Smith.

Ruark appreciated the play of his defense.

 “The defense is playing well,” he said. “The defense is doing a good job. Coaches doing well. Players are responding. The game plan have been right on. We just got to continue to work and get better.”

The Mustangs held Highland Tech to just 41 yards of total offense. East has allowed just 43 yards in eight quarters.

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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