The news is sure to wind up on a Ridgeland bulletin board before the day is out but the Panthers knew they’d be facing a tough player in Ringgold running back Martez Eastland when the two teams play Friday at Ringgold.

Eastland, as the Panthers will see on replays of last Friday’s game, ran for 201 yards on 19 carries and scored four touchdowns before being lifted midway of the third quarter in a 48-0 shutout. For that effort, the Ringgold junior has been selected as Times Free Press player of the week.

Eastland scored Tigers’ first three TDs against Southeast Whitfield.

“He is the only kid I’ve had in three years that could play every position including guard and tackle and do well,” said Ringgold coach Robert Akins.

When quarterback Zack Fairchild, a member of the Times Free Press preseason Dynomite Dozen, went down with a preseason knee injury, the Tigers had to rethink their entire offensive strategy. After losing their first three games, they have won two straight.

“This team had to find an identity because Zack was our team’s identity,” Akins said.

They have done so with Eastland, a 5-foot-11, 230-pounder who has played running back, receiver and quarterback on offense and linebacker, safety and cornerback on defense.

“We played him some at quarterback last week, and he completed 2 of 3 passes for 24 yards. He didn’t catch any the other night, partly because he spent some time at quarterback, but he had two catches for 54 yards and a TD a couple of weeks ago,” Akins said. “We have been playing him at cornerback some, even though he’s 230 pounds because he is a guy that can cover. He has great instincts, good speed and he’s a force.”

Akins was hard pressed to say what Eastland does best.

“He’s one of those kids that break tackles,” the coach said.

Eastland and the Tigers will have to be at their best against the Panthers, whose offensive talents include quarterback Carlan Bowman, receiver Mike Bowman and running backs Terryl Freeman and Devin Bowman.

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