Hunnicutt’s performance powers Eastside over Wade Hampton, into playoffs

In a win-and-get-in game for Eastside, the Eagles cruised past Wade Hampton 28-14 to clinch the program’s first playoff berth in four years.

Eastside head coach Andre Woolcock’s post-game Gatorade bath was freezing cold. He didn't mind one bit.

After Eastside (6-4, 2-2 region) took down Wade Hampton 28-14 on Friday night, that Gatorade bath represented the culmination of a year of milestones — including Eastside’s first winning record, first playoff berth, and first region wins since 2019.

“I can't tell you the last time I got one of those,” said Woolcock of the bath. “It was cold, don’t get me wrong. But I’m so proud of this team. We achieved the goals we set out for at the beginning of the year.”

Coming into Friday’s matchup with Wade Hampton, the Eagles knew what they had to do: win and get in to the playoffs.

Thanks to heroics from quarterback Peyton Schrader and wide receiver Noah Hunnicutt, Eastside did just enough to fend off the stubborn Generals and claim the No. 3 seed out of Class 4-A Region 2.

Schrader completed 17 of his 20 passes for 257 yards and three touchdowns. Hunnicutt was far and away Schrader’s favorite target on the evening, hauling in 11 receptions for 156 yards and two scores.

“As a quarterback, it makes my job so much easier having playmakers to throw to like I’ve got,” said Schrader. “Especially Noah. He balled out.”

“The coaches finally moved me to slot receiver for this game,” said Hunnicutt. “I was playing out wider before, but I got to show what I can do at slot with the ball in my hands more.”

Hunnicutt scored on a 70-yard pass from a scrambling Schrader in the first quarter, as well as a jet sweep pop pass in the second. His 11 catches, 156 yards, and two touchdowns on Friday night were more than he’d collected throughout his previous nine games combined.

In the most important game of the year, Hunnicutt stepped up when his team needed it most.

“You just can’t help but feel good for the kid,” said Woolcock. “He’s pushed through some things and toughed them out, and when his number was called, he made the most of it.”

“It’s been a long time coming for [Noah],” said Schrader. “He works hard. And he hasn’t necessarily been a main target of mine throughout the season, but he’s always there to come up with a big play when we need it. This week, he just kept getting open. So it worked out really good for him.”

Kalvin Banks also collected his 43rd career rushing touchdown, and wide receiver Eli Clint hauled in a 53-yard touchdown pass from Schrader on the evening.

The win sets Eastside up with a trip to face South Pointe this Friday in the first round of the Class 4-A playoffs.

“Their defensive line generates a lot of pressure,” said Woolcock. “Coach [Bobby] Collins has done a great job with that program. We’ve got to come out and play how we know we can play.

“One thing’s for sure: neither of these teams want their season to be over on Friday night. So you’re going to see the best out of both teams.”