So far, so good. Through five games, the quick-footed Hunter has averaged about 75 yards rushing per game and scored eight touchdowns.

On Saturday night, in a Public League Red Division contest against Northeast, Hunter scored a pair of touchdowns as the Eagles stymied a late rally by the host Vikings and triumphed, 28-20, at Charlie Martin Memorial Stadium.

In the last minute of the third quarter, the 5-foot-9, 170-pound Hunter burst through the middle of Northeast's line and raced to the end zone for a 62-yard score that put Washington comfortably ahead, 28-0.

"Our line did an excellent job of blocking for me on that play," Hunter said. "I just hit the hole hard, found daylight and took off. I was confident I wasn't going to be caught from behind."

Hunter, a senior captain who lives near Cottman and Torresdale Avenues in the Mayfair section of Northeast Philly, said he has been timed at 4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash.

"He works really hard in practice," said Washington's James Fowler, a junior tight end and inside linebacker. "And he's good at getting us hyped up in the huddle."

Hunter doubles as a cornerback. Against Northeast, he sometimes drew the assignment of covering Je'Ron Stokes. The 6-1, 190-pound Stokes, a speedster bound for Tennessee, is a big-time playmaker at wide receiver.

"To me, he's a regular dude," Hunter said.

The Vikings scored three quick touchdowns in the fourth quarter to make it 28-20 with 5 minutes, 23 seconds to play.

Northeast threatened again in the final minute. On the game's last play, from the Washington 29, a fade pass to the left corner, intended for Raheem Groce, fell incomplete. Eagles defensive back Lorenzo Adams was there to break up the play.

Next for the Eagles (4-1 overall, 2-0 league) is Friday's 6 p.m. showdown vs. Red Division rival Frankford (4-1, 3-0).

TV alert. CN8 will televise Saturday afternoon's Suburban One League National Conference matchup between Council Rock South (4-2, 1-2) and host Neshaminy (5-1, 3-0). Kickoff is set for 1:30.

Quotable. Academy of the New Church coach Andy Davis, on the play of Perkiomen School quarterback Abdul Smith, a Rutgers recruit, in the Indians' 34-28 nonleague win over the Lions on Sept. 26: "He's an extraordinary athlete. He's so fast. You blink and he's gone."

or robrien@phillynews.com.