Wesleyan knocks off Ealey, ECI for Class A title

It was hard to follow the buildup to the Class A championship game without hearing about Emanuel County Institute running back Washaun Ealey. But Ealey and the rest of the previously unbeaten Bulldogs took a back seat to Kyle Karempelis Saturday at the Georgia Dome.

The sophomore running back collected 189 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns and blocked a punt to help lead Wesleyan to the school’s first state championship, 33-21 over Emanuel County Institute.

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Rich Addicks/raddicks@ajc.com

MVP? Wesleyan’s Kyle Karempelis scored three touchdowns and blocked a punt to the lead the Wolves past ECI.

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Karempelis, the Wolves’ leading rusher, ran for a touchdown in each half and caught a touchdown pass from quarterback Conor Welton (12-for-15, 134 yards, two touchdowns).

“The line did a great job and opened up some holes for me,” Karempelis said. “Words can’t describe [the feeling of winning].”

“Kyle — unbelievable game; unbelievable effort,” Wesleyan coach Franklin Pridgen said. “He had a shoulder problem, he took a good shot last week. He’s unbelievably courageous.”

ECI (14-1) was hoping to finish unbeaten for the second consecutive season, but an inconsistent offense and turnover problems ended the Twin City school’s bid for back-to-back titles. Ealey, a University of Georgia commitment, rushed for 90 yards and all three ECI touchdowns.

“He’s a great running back,” Karempelis said.

While Wesleyan’s balanced offense (143 rushing yards, 134 passing) plugged away, its underrated Wesleyan defense and special teams came up with one big play after another.

Besides Karempelis’ blocked punt midway through the second quarter, the defense struck twice on ECI’s first two possessions of the second half. Merritt Hall forced a fumble and Carter Garrison returned it 37 yards for a touchdown and after Lee Ellis pounced on Tyrone Johnson’s fumble, Karempelis romped 27 yards for another score to turn a 14-7 halftime lead into a 26-7 cushion.

“The defense played great again,” Karempelis said. “When we came in the second half and scored that touchdown, that was awesome to see the defense score, too.”

“Our defense, it’s the trademark of our program,” Pridgen said. “Our kids play so hard; I don’t know if we’ve ever had a more complete effort.”

ECI looked poised to take an early lead after Dexter Moody exploded for 47 yards on the first play from scrimmage, but Wesleyan’s defense suffocated four running plays to force a turnover on downs.

The Wolves’ offense took over from there, marching down the field on its opening possession to grab a 7-0 lead. Welton completed all five of his passes on the drive for 67 yards, including a 23-yard touchdown toss to a wide-open Anderson Porter.

Ealey capped an eight minute, 19-play drive with a three-yard touchdown burst to the tie the score at 7-7, but the underdog Wolves came right back with two big plays to take the lead for good.

First, Porter picked up a fumbled kickoff and returned it 37 yards to the ECI 44-yard line and two plays later Karempelis rumbled un-touched for 41 yards and a 14-7 halftime cushion.

Wesleyan 7 7 12 7 — 33

W — Anderson Porter 23 pass from Conor Welton (Spencer Short kick)

ECI — Washaun Ealey 3 run (Mark Flott kick)

W — Kyle Karempelis 41 run (Short kick)

W — Carter Garrison 37 fumble return (kick failed)

W — Karempelis 27 run (pass failed)

ECI — Ealey 4 run (Ealey run)

W — Karempelis 7 pass from Welton (Eric Sunderman kick)

ECI — Ealey 2 run (run failed)