LASKER – Homecoming always brings out the best in dress.

Usually, that dress is reserved for the Homecoming court, but that wasn’t the case last night.

Northeast Academy’s football team stole the show with a new uniform that featured a black top trimmed in red with the numbers outlined in white.

While the new uniforms set off an instant buzz around the game, it was the Eagles play that will be the talk of the town. Northeast rolled to a Homecoming victory over visiting Lawrence Academy by a final score of 66-8.

The Eagles scored first in the contest thanks to an early mistake by the Warriors. Lawrence fumbled the opening kickoff and Northeast senior Davis Harrell recovered the miscue.

It took the Eagles just four plays to find paydirt when, after a steady diet of Justin Francis, Harrell called his own number for a four-yard plunge. The conversion failed, but Northeast led 6-0 with 10:27 remaining in the first quarter.

Lawrence came right back, however, as they drove 60 yards on eight plays to tie the score. The scoring play came when quarterback Jesse White connected with Cade Larabee on a 26-yard touchdown pass. Larabee ran in the two-point conversion and Lawrence led 8-6 with 7:55 to play in the first period.

The teams exchanges possession until Lawrence punted the ball back to Northeast and downed the ball at the Eagles’ 43-yardline. It took just one play for Northeast to score when James Pope rumbled 57 yards to paydirt. Francis added the conversion and Northeast led 14-8.

The Warriors punted the ball again on their next possession and again the Eagles capitalized. This time Northeast set up shop at their 22-yardline and drove  78 yards on six plays.

Francis had a key 37 yard run and then added the touchdown on a nine-yard jaunt. The senior also added the two-point conversion to give Northeast a 22-8 lead with 9:40 to play in the second quarter.

Northeast Head Coach Collin Sneed decided to put the Warriors away early and called for an onside  kick which was recovered by the Eagles.

It took just one play for Harrell to scamper 44 yards for the score. Francis added the conversion and Northeast had a 30-8 lead with 9:25 to play in the first half.

On its next possession, Lawrence drove to the Northeast five-yardline, but a fumble forced them back to the 16 where they turned the ball over on downs.

Northeast was called for a penalty on their first offensive play following the turnover and the ball was moved back to their own six-yardline. It made no difference, however, as Pope scampered 94 yards on the next play for a touchdown. The conversion run by Harrell was good and Northeast’s lead was up to 38-8 with 5:42 still to play in the second period.

The Eagles scored once more in the first half when Harrell found paydirt on a 39-yard run. Francis added the conversion and Northeast led 46-8 at the intermission.

On the first drive of the second half, the Eagles found paydirt again. Benton Barrett capped a eight-play, 73-yard drive with an eight-yard run. The conversion failed and Northeast led 52-8 with 9:42 to play in the third quarter.

Northeast scored once more in the third quarter. That score came when sophomore Adam Creech found paydirt on a one-yard plunge, capping a 56-yard drive that covered eight plays. The conversion failed, but the Eagles led 58-8.

The final score of the night came on a 52-yard pass play from backup quarterback Brad Johnson to Justin Lassiter. Barrett added the conversion to establish the 66-8 final score.

With the win, Northeast Academy improves to 6-2 overall. The Eagles are scheduled to play at Halifax Academy next Thursday evening.

(By Tommy Bryant, Sports Writer)