STEWART, Ohio — Eastern’s postseason hopes are still alive following a 25-23 win over Tri-Valley Conference Hocking Division foe Federal Hocking Friday night in Athens County.

The Eagles (6-3, 5-2 TVC Hocking) jumped out to an early lead after Joey Scowden completed a 74 yard pass to Chase Cook at the 10:32 mark of the first quarter. Joey Scowden completed a pass to Troy Gantt for the two-point conversion and Eastern led 8-0. With just under a minute left in the first period Max Carnahan hit a 30 yard field goal to put the Green and White up 11.

Federal Hocking (6-3, 5-2) got on the board with 3:22 remaining in the half when Delbert Crum broke a 47 yard run. Terrance Mayle added the point after touchdown and FHHS pulled within one score.

Eastern’s big play offense struck again before the half was up, as Joey Scowden completed a 66 yard pass to Alex Amos for six points. The extra point kick failed and EHS led 17-7 at half.

The lone score of the third period was at the 5:32 mark when the Lancers tacked an Eastern runner in the endzone for a safety. Eastern recorded a safety of its own to start the fourth period and the Eagles led 19-9.

Less than two minutes later Eastern was in the endzone again with a 31 yard completion from Joey Scowden to Max Carnahan. The extra point kick failed and Eastern led 25-9 with 9:05 remaining.

Down 16 points FHHS clawed back first with a 12 yard run by Andrew Smith for six points. Smith caught the two-point conversion from Kyle Jackson to cut the EHS lead to eight with 5:55 left in regulation.

Smith found paydirt again with 3:57 left in the game on a 21 yard pass from Jackson. The Eagles defense stopped the two point conversion attempt and led 25-23.

As the game clock wound down Eastern drove down the field. With 90 seconds remaining Eastern had the ball on a fourth and one at it’s own 44 yard line. Federal Hocking’s Peyton Seel was penalized for offsides and Eastern had the first down it needed to end the game.

Joey Scowden led Eastern with 5-of-11 passing for 201 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. Joey Scowden also ran 21 times compiling a team-high 84 yards. Eastern’s Ethan Nottingham had nine carries for 80 yards and one reception for 22 yards in the triumph.

Cook led Eagle receivers with one catch for 74 yards, followed by Amos with one grab for 66 yards and Carnahan with two catches for 39 yards. Cook, Amos and Carnahan each caught a TD.

Crum led the rushing attack for FHHS with 163 yards on 26 carries with a touchdown, while Jackson threw for 143 yards on 11-of-23 passing with a TD and an interception. Alex Nichols had two catches for 34 yards, Seel had one grab for 31 yards, Smith had three catches for 28 yards and Ivan Santiago had two catches for 23 yards to lead Federal Hocking.

The Eagles will host TVC Hocking rival Southern Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in the regular season finale, while Federal Hocking’s regular season will wrap up at Trimble next Friday at 7:30 p.m.