Edison football runs over Franklin behind Nykier Eato's 200-plus yards

This story has been updated with new information.

FRANKLIN — Edison dominated the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball to such an extent Friday evening that the Eagles might receive a property tax bill from Franklin Township.

Edison’s ownership of that precious real estate generated four rushing touchdowns as the Eagles gashed their hosts in a 27-13 triumph over Franklin.

Nykier Eato carried 26 times for 224 yards and two scores before leaving the contest after tweaking his left ankle on the first play of the final quarter as Edison (2-3) ran 54 times for 346 yards, while limiting the Warriors to 36 rushing yards, 20 of those coming on a scramble on the final play of the first half.

“Tonight we wanted to run the ball and our ability to just gain yards on both sides of the line, we were able to go right and left with it,” Edison coach Matt Yascko explained. “We took their running game away from them. Their inability to run the ball let us play pass defense better.”

Eato had 11 carries before running mate Shaun Garland delivered the game’s first score on a 1-yard plunge less than two minutes into the second quarter.

Franklin (3-2) managed the equalizer as Jah’naad Cady caught fire late in the first half, completing six of eight passes and all 79 yards on a drive that ended with a 6-yard touchdown pass to Unisa Kamara with 59 seconds left in the half.

Edison received the second-half kickoff and promptly marched 56 yards in six running plays, five by Eato including a 25-yard burst up the middle to put the Eagles on top to stay.

“Early on he seemed a little slow to me,” Yascko said of Eato, who ran 12 times for 122 yards in the third period. “He had one big run in the second quarter and I felt like, he’s back, and he took off from there.”

The Franklin defense kept the Warriors in the game with a prodigious stop after Edison had a first-and-goal from the 2. But Edison’s defense answered with a three-and-out effort, and the Eagles regained possession at the Franklin 35. Two plays later, Eato exploded off tackle for a 34-yard scoring jaunt and a 20-7 Edison cushion.

“Our ability to run the ball is getting better over the season,” tackle Justin Boslet noted. “Our offensive line is really becoming a unit and we’re starting to figure things out. It’s a lot of credit to us but those backs run hard and they’re determined to score every time they get the ball.”

Quarterback Anthony Calantoni capped an 81-yard, eight-play drive with an 11-yard keeper, but Cady (10-17-159) made things interesting by hooking up with Michael Rogers Jr. for a 54-yard strike on Franklin’s first play to reduce the deficit to 27-13 with 7:11 left in the contest.

The Warrior defense then posted a three-and-out and Franklin was in position to make it a one-score affair before fumbling the ball away on its very first play, Jermaine Smallwood recovering for Edison, with five minutes remaining. Franklin did not regain possession until the final 10 seconds.

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Edison football runs over Franklin behind Nykier Eato's 200-plus yards