LASKER – A youthful and injury depleted Northeast Academy squad gave a valiant effort here Friday night in eight-man football losing by a 48-6 score.

The Cary Christian Knights came into town and struck quickly in overcoming the Eagles who were without two starters on a 14 man squad.

The Knights’ William Gomperts took the opening kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown and the team from Cary was never headed. Gomperts had two kickoff returns for touchdowns on the night, the second coming after an Eagle score in the second period and covered 77 yards.

Not only was the kick return game working for the Knights, but kicker Chris Thomas kept the Eagles bottled up deep in their end of the field all night with some booming kickoffs.  The best Eagle field position after a kickoff all night was their own 30-yard line.

Also having a big night for the Knights was Jon Henderson who rambled for 140 yards on six carries while accounting for four touchdowns.  He also was successful on four kicks for PATS.

The Eagles lone score occurred late in the second period.

Trailing 33-0, the Eagles began their drive at their own 20-yard line. The drive did not start well as the snap on the opening play was fumbled.

However, the Eagles recovered after a two yard loss. Adam Creech then busted loose for a 10-yard gain.  Bo Daniels then powered forward for three yards and a first down.

Following a procedure penalty, the Eagles found themselves with a first and 15 at their own 26. A one yard loss by Creech was followed by an offside penalty against the Knights giving the Eagles a second down and 11 at the 30-yard line.

Creech and quarterback Christian Fleetwood rushed for five yards a piece setting up the Eagles with a fourth-and-one from their own 40.

With 3:20 left in the half, the Eagles went for the first down and got more. Creech busted through the line into open space and dashed 49 yards to the Knight 11 before being run down from behind. Four plays later Fleetwood took the ball across the goal line on a two-yard run.

But all hopes of a possible Eagle comeback were dashed when Gomperts ran the ensuing kickoff back for his second touchdown with 1:10 left in the half. The halftime score was 41-6.

The Knights scored another touchdown at the end of the third period giving the final of 48-6 as neither team crossed the goal in the fourth quarter.

Northeast next travels to Courtland, Va. to take on Southampton Academy next Friday. Cary Christian travels to Merry Hill to take on Lawrence Academy.