LASKER – This one wasn’t in doubt for long.

Northeast Academy served notice they intend to stay among the state’s elite eight-man football squads here last night (Friday) when they rolled to a comfortable 60-12 win over Cresset Christian Academy.

“We wanted to set the tone early and we were able to do that,” third-year Eagles’ skipper Collin Sneed said. “It’s nice to get a win on opening night. We’re going to enjoy this one tonight and get to work on St. David’s tomorrow.”

After taking the opening kickoff, the Eagles used a steady diet of running back Brandon Futrell to reach the endzone. The senior touched the ball four consecutive times, covering 10, 15 and 11 yards before striking paydirt from four yards out with 10:42 still to play in the first quarter.

Futrell added the conversion and Northeast led 8-0.

After forcing a fumble, which was recovered by junior defensive end Zach Mize for the Eagles, Northeast set sail on a six-play, 41-yard drive before scoring again.

Futrell covered the first 22 yards before giving way to Arch Harrell who scored on a five-yard run to paydirt. Sophomore quarterback Davis Harrell added the conversion to give Northeast Academy a 16-0 lead with 8:11 left on the first quarter clock.

After an interception gave Northeast the ball on their own 35-yardline, it took just one play for the Eagles to score again. Senior fullback Hunter Deloatch covered that distance on one run and then Futrell added the conversion to give Northeast an easy 24-0 edge with still 7:02 to go in the first.

Cresset went three-and-out on their next drive and punted the ball away to Northeast.

The Eagles took over possession on their own 45-yardline and Arch Harrell quickly covered the first 20 yards to give NEA a first down at their own 25-yardline. Davis Harrell then completed the first touchdown pass of the season when he connected with junior Russ Flythe on a 25-yard score.

Arch Harrell added the two-point conversion to give Northeast a 32-0 lead with 5:46 to play in the first quarter.

The Eagles scored twice more in the first quarter as they built a 48-0 by the end of the opening 12 minutes of action.

Futrell scored on a 45-yard run with 3:17 to play and Deloatch added the conversion.

Then, with only 35 ticks left on the first quarter clock, sophomore linebacker Douglas Cherry picked off a Cresset aerial and returned it 40 yards to paydirt. Futrell added the conversion to make it 48-0 as the first quarter neared its end.

Northeast scored just once more in the first half when Futrell went five yards to the endzone with 2:44 to play in the second quarter. The conversion failed, but Northeast led by a comfortable 54-0 advantage at the intermission.

Cresset finally found the endzone with 1:05 to play in the third quarter.

Stuart Guidry scored for Cresset on a 15-yard run. The conversion failed, leaving Northeast with a 54-6 lead.

Northeast answered when Arch Harrell returned the kickoff for a touchdown. The conversion failed, leaving Northeast ahead 60-6.

Cresset scored once more when Dhugie Adams connected with Andres Perez on a 24-yard scoring strike. The conversion run by Adams failed, establishing the final score.

Northeast (1-0) will take to the road for the first time next week when they travel to St. Davids.