Week 10
JACKSONVILLE, Ill. -- Justin Dempsey (Fairbury, Ill./Chenoa) rushed for 292 yards and three touchdowns and Eureka College forced five MacMurray College turnovers as the Red Devils halted an 11-game losing streak to the Highlanders Saturday afternoon in a 41-27 shootout.
Eureka (2-7, 2-5 IBFC) never trailed in its final Illini-Badger Football Conference game before the league disbands after this season. Dempsey gained 187 yards on the ground in the first half alone in helping EC to a 20-point (27-7) halftime cushion. The starting EC offensive line of James Albers (Mendota, Ill./HS), Brian Carver (Springfield, Ill./Lanphier), Jordan Vignoni (Lancaster, Calif./Quartz Hill), Raul Mendoza (Arcola, Ill./HS) and Charles Franklin (Chicago, Ill./Lincoln Park) was also key to the Red Devils' success, paving the way for most of the 361 rushing yards Eureka gained on the day.
Dempsey carried 10 times on the opening drive of the game, including on the final play, as he scored from 11 yards out to cap a 14 play, 70 yard drive that lasted 6:14.
It did not take long for MacMurray (0-9, 0-7 IBFC) to get even as Chris Booker ripped off runs of 23 and 35 yards setting up a seven yard Tristan Jones scamper that knotted the game at 7-7 just 58 seconds later.
Not to be outdone, it took Eureka only 25 seconds to go back ahead. Dempsey dashed through the line for 47 yards before Nick Lindsey (Homer, Ill./Heritage) connected with Chris Wakid (Danvers, Ill./Eureka) for a touchdown on a nine yard swing pass. The extra point was blocked, but Eureka still led 13-7 at the end of the first quarter.
The Red Devils enjoyed a 14-0 advantage in the second quarter as a big 23 yard pass play to Brad Polanin (Metamora, Ill./HS) moved the ball deep into MacMurray territory early in the frame. Dempsey ran in from a yard out, giving EC a 20-7 edge. Later, Zach McDade (Savoy, Ill./Arcola) more than redeemed himself for dropping a long pass on fourth down on the previous possession when he hauled in a 33 yard touchdown pass from Lindsey as Eureka marched 75 yards in only 1:05 just before halftime.
The Highlanders, who fumbled away two of their last three possessions of the first half, did so again to begin the third quarter. Meanwhile, the Red Devils were not about to let up. Wakid added his second touchdown on a five yard rush and Matt Knake (Freeburg, Ill./HS), who was perfect on four extra point kicks, moved Eureka on top by the score of 34-7.
Three different players scored on touchdown runs for MacMurray in the second half, but two blocked extra points and interceptions by Jacob Wall (Cresent City, Ill./Cresent-Iroquois) and Wayne O'Harrow (Crete, Ill./Bloom Trail) kept Eureka ahead by a comfortable margin. Just to make sure, Dempsey tip-toed down the sideline for a 25 yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter that made the score 41-13 at the time.
Dempsey was stopped for a loss just once out of his 44 carries. He averaged 6.6 yards per carry, setting career-highs in both carries and rushing yards (292). Wakid gained 44 yards on 11 attempts. Lindsey was 7-for-17 passing for 96 yards and two touchdowns. McDade was the game's leading receiver with two catches for 43 yards. Tim Dombrowski (Lansing, Ill./T.F. South) led a balanced EC defensive effort with seven tackles, with two going for a loss. The Red Devils' 41 points were the most in a game since October 16, 2004 when Eureka defeated Benedictine 44-7.
Booker gained 135 rushing yards on 17 carries to lead the MacMurray attack. Antwain Jones and Mike Porter each had 14 tackles for a Highlander defensive unit that suffered through a 39:06 to 20:54 Eureka advantage in time of possession.
The Red Devils will close their season in non-conference play next Saturday as they travel to the University of Chicago for a Noon kickoff.
Week 9
EUREKA — Every football coach worries about distractions during Homecoming week. The same could be said about Senior Day as well. Eureka found out that the combination of the two added to a solid Aurora University Spartans squad as an opponent, did not exactly concoct a winning recipe as Aurora ran past Eureka College by the count of 30-3 Saturday afternoon.
Ryne Reder of Aurora (4-4, 4-2 IBFC) showed why he is the Illini-Badger Football Conference leading rusher against the Red Devils (1-7, 1-5 IBFC), accounting for 160 yards on the ground on 26 carries. He scored twice on the ground and added a touchdown pass on a halfback option play.
The contest was ominous from the start for the home team as Eureka fumbled away the opening kickoff. But as they did often throughout the day, the EC defense held tough in the red zone, forcing a missed field goal from 36 yards.
Aurora again had superb field position for its next drive following a 23 yard punt return, but was again forced into a field goal try after gaining just one yard in three plays. This time, Andrew Price was good from 32 yards, making the score 3-0.
The Red Devils came back to tie the game on their next possession. Sophomore Nick Lindsey (Homer, Ill./Heritage) connected on pass plays of 22 and 14 yards to Dillon Reed (Illiopolis, Ill./Sangamon Valley) and Chris Wakid (Danvers, Ill./Eureka) respectively befor scrambling for 15 yards himself as Eureka eventually reached the Spartans' nine yard line. Playing his final home game, senior Jacob Wall (Cresent City, Ill./Cresent-Iroquois) put EC on the board with a 28 yard field goal that tied the game at 3-3.
It did not stay that way for long, however. Five plays later, Spartans quarterback Spenser Adams hooked up with Jon Wuest on a 39 yard bomb. The extra point was wide left, keeping the score 9-3 in favor of Aurora after the opening frame.
The Eureka defense kept the game close initially by turning the Spartans away empty-handed after a first-and-goal at the EC four. After losses of two yards on back-to-back rushing plays, Luke Whitaker (Eureka, Ill./HS) pushed the ball back 12 yards with a sack on third down. Price's 37 yard field goal sailed too far left again.
Unfortunately for the Red Devils, Reder took over the rest of the half. He led Aurora out to a 23-3 halftime margin with scoring runs of nine and 10 yards. He gained 96 yards in the first half on 16 carries.
Both teams were able to establish their rushing attacks in a swiftly played second half, but the only points came through the air from an unlikely source. Reder, who had not thrown a pass all season, sprinted to the right and lobbed up a 12 yard touchdown pass to Brent Harner in the third quarter. The extra point was the final tally of the contest, making it 30-3.
Both sides failed in goal-to-go situations later in the game. Eureka's Jered Ewing (Bloomington, Ill./Tri-Valley) recovered a fumbled pitch on the Red Devils' 12 to short-circuit an Aurora scoring opportunity, while Lindsey was stopped inches shy of the end zone stripe twice early in the fourth quarter leading to a turnover on downs inside the Spartans' one.
Michael Moseley (Lubbock, Texas/Monterey), who had 15 tackles last week, again led EC with 13 this week, including three tackles for loss. Tim Dombrowksi (Lansing, Ill./T.F. South) recorded 12 tackles, with two for loss. Tony Martin (Lexington, Ill./HS) and Cody Troutman (Bloomington, Ill./Normal Comm.) each had 10. The Red Devils held the Spartans scoreless on five of their nine red zone chances.
Justin Dempsey (Fairbury, Ill./Chenoa) ran well in his final home effort. He averaged 4.8 yards on 16 carries for 76 yards rushing and was also the team's leading receiver with three catches for 30 yards. Lindsey completed eight out of 14 passes for 83 yards.
Adams misfired on just one of his 11 pass attempts in the first half and finished the game 13-for-20 for 184 yards. Wuest hauled in seven catches for 109 yards and a touchdown.
The Red Devils' final two games of the season are on the road. They close conference play next Saturday at MacMurray College with a 1:00 pm kickoff. Their final game is at the University of Chicago on November 10.
Week 8
EUREKA — Third downs were far from charming for the Eureka College Red Devils Saturday afternoon. A key holding penalty that erased a touchdown and a blocked punt did not help to ease the pain of their 0-for-12 third down conversion rate, either. As a result, the Benedictine University Eagles flew away with a 21-6 win at FioRito Stadium at McKinzie Field, led by a defense that allowed only five first downs.
Ryan Schwartz, who rushed 33 times for 198 yards on the day, carried on seven consecutive plays for a total of 58 yards to give Benedictine (4-4, 3-2 IBFC) a 7-0 lead in the opening quarter of play.
The Red Devils (1-6, 1-4 IBFC) appeared to find a quick answer when sophomore quarterback Nick Lindsey (Homer, Ill./Heritage) raced around the right side 52 yards only to have the play called back due to a holding call. Undaunted, Lindsey lofted a 22-yard pass on fourth-and-eight to Zach McDade (Savoy, Ill./Arcola) later to extend the drive into the second quarter. Lindsey capped off the surge by slithering through the line on a one-yard touchdown run. The extra point was blocked, keeping the Eagles ahead 7-6.
After those back-to-back scoring drives, the fight settled back into a defensive slug-fest and game of field position strategy until a revolting series of events left the home crowd stewing into the halftime break.
A career-long punt of 71 yards by Kyle Edgar (Arcola, Ill./HS) and good defensive stand resulted in the Red Devils taking over in good field position, just on their side of the midfield stripe with 1:38 remaining before intermission. But, EC was forced to punt after a sack and two incomplete passes. The punt was then blocked by Bob McLearen and recovered by Benedictine at the Eureka 24.
It would be wrong to point to that play only as the turning point of the game. It did not kill the Red Devils' chances as EC held Benedictine to three yards on the next three plays setting up a fourth down with just 11 seconds to play. On fourth-and-seven, Andrew Ramus found Brandin Austin with just enough room on the sidelines for 17 yards down to the Red Devils' four. With just six second to play, the Eagles decided to try another offensive play and Schwartz took the ball in from four yards out, putting Benedictine on top 14-6 at halftime.
The rugged Eagles defense gave Eureka little chance to get closer in the second half, but a wild snap on a punt served as the Red Devils' ticket back into the game. The Benedictine punter could only fall on the ball resulting in a 32 yard loss. Eureka took over on the Eagles' 19, but went could not get any closer than the 15. Matt Knake (Freeburg, Ill./HS) came on for his first field goal attempt of the season, which sailed wide right from 36 yards away. Eureka managed just one first down the rest of the contest.
Meanwhile, the EC defense refused to fold, not allowing Benedictine to break out to a comfortable lead. Eureka held the Eagles from scoring in the red zone on three occasions, including twice from inside the Eureka three. Four Red Devils recorded at least 11 tackles led by the 15 of Michael Moseley (Lubbock, Texas/Monterey). He also registered 4.5 tackles for loss. Knake had 13 followed by Tim Dombrowski (Lansing, Ill./T.F. South) and Rosney Beverly (Bloomington, Ill./Normal West), who each had 11.
Schwartz carried seven times on a nine play, 56 yard touchdown drive that essentially iced the game for Benedictine, even with the balmy temperatures. Eric Ritter eventually punched it in from the one on third down as the Eagles took a 21-6 advantage in the fourth quarter. Benedictine held a 21:46 to 8:14 edge in time of possession in the second half over the Red Devils, who came into the game leading the conference in that department.
A couple other mainstays of the Eureka attack were held in check as well. Eureka came into play Saturday leading the league with a plus-four turnover ratio, but finished the day at minus-one. Also, Lindsey passed for 74 yards on five completions and gained 13 yards rushing on 10 attempts.
Justin Dempsey (Fairbury, Ill./Chenoa) and McDade led Eureka with 27 yards rushing and receiving respectively. Edgar downed three of his seven punts inside the 20, including his 71-yard bomb.
Ramus completed eight passes for 66 yards. Austin hauled in five aerials for 52 yards. Benedictine ran 81 plays to Eureka's 49.
Week 7
GREENVILLE, Ill. — Last season, the Eureka Red Devils nearly upset heavily favored Greenville College, battling the Panthers to a 26-20 game. The same can not be said about the 2007 match up after the Panthers rolled to a 54-14 victory on their home turf behind five rushing touchdowns by quarterback Dominic Kegel.
Kegel led Greenville (2-4, 1-3 IBFC) to the end zone on six of the Panthers' first seven possessions en route to a 40-0 halftime lead. Eureka (1-5, 1-3 IBFC) got on the scoreboard twice in the final quarter, but it was too late to mount any kind of serious comeback.
With 929 yards, Kegel came into the game as the only Panther with more than 104 yards of total offense on the season. He did little to hurt his statistics against Eureka, scoring on touchdown runs of 1, 29, 46, 48 and 54 yards, while tossing a 49 yard pass for Greenville's first score on the day. He finished with 212 yards rushing and 10-for-15 passing for 158 yards.
The Red Devils were plus-two in turnovers, but their one interception was costly as it resulted in a 10 yard touchdown return. Eureka gained 163 yards rushing on 53 tries and 131 yards though the air on 24 attempts.
The Red Devils scored on the second play of the fourth quarter with their longest play of the season, a 64 yard pass from Nick Lindsey (Homer, Ill./Heritage) to Dillon Reed (Illiopolis, Ill./Sangamon Valley).
On Eureka's next possession, Chris Wakid (Danvers, Ill./Eureka) hauled in a 22 yard pass from Chris Dalberg (Washington, Ill./HS) down to the Greenville five and two plays later ran in for his first career touchdown from two yards out. Jacob Wall (Cresent City, Ill./Cresent-Iroquois) booted through his second extra point to end the scoring for the game at 54-14.
Reed caught three passes for a career-high 77 yards. Drew Whightsil (Vandalia, Ill./HS) had five receptions for 23 yards. Lindsey completed 10 out of 16 pass attempts for 104 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He also gained 27 yards rushing. Brett Dyer (Hindsboro, Ill./Arcola) led EC on the ground with 47 yards. Eureka held a 35:52 to 24:08 edge in time of possession.
Tim Dombrowski (Lansing, Ill./T.F. South) had eight tackles, one for loss and a fumble recovery to lead the Eureka defense. Jacob Ioerger (Minonk, Ill./Fieldcrest) and Jody Davis (Pontiac, Ill./HS) recorded six tackles apiece.
The Red Devils close out their home slate with games at McKinzie Field the next two weekends. Their next opponents are the Eagles of Benedictine University, who will be in Eureka for a 1:00 pm kickoff on Oct. 20.
Week 6
SHEBOYGAN, Wis. — The Red Devils intercepted three passes, but could not unseat an opportunistic Lakeland College squad from its perch atop the Illini-Badger Football Conference standings Saturday afternoon in a 32-9 decision.
Though it will not show up in the final standings, the 23 point margin of defeat marks the closest the Red Devils (1-4, 1-2 IBFC) have come to the Muskies (3-3, 3-0 IBFC) since a 24-13 loss in 1997, a span of 10 games.
Lakeland took control early, scoring twice in the first 10 minutes of play. Brad Wilk hit MacArthur White for a 31 yard touchdown pass and John Wagner recovered a blocked punt in the end zone. The Muskies led 12-0 after they missed both point after conversions.
The Red Devils played even with Lakeland the rest of the half as their opponents were penalized eights times for a total of 102 yards before intermission. Eureka missed a great opportunity to get on the board early in the second quarter at the end of a drive that was extended by a roughing the kicker penalty and a Kyle Edgar (Arcola, Ill./HS) eight yard run on fourth down and five. The Red Devils had a second down and one on the Lakeland two yard line, but turned the ball over on downs three plays later.
Later in the quarter, a Matt Knake (Freeburg, Ill./HS) interception set up the EC offense on the Lakeland 30, but again no points were scored. Finally after a punt, two personal fouls on the Muskies moved the ball into Lakeland territory and Nick Lindsey (Homer, Ill./Heritage) hooked up with Justin Zoeller (Bloomington, Ill./HS) for a 20 yard touchdown pass. The extra point by Jacob Wall (Cresent City, Ill./Cresent-Iroquois) made the count 12-7.
Lakeland struck back on the ensuing drive with another Wilk-to-White connection, this time from 28 yards out. The Red Devils went into halftime trailing 19-7.
Neither side could mount much of an offensive charge in the second half as good field position was to blame for Lakeland gaining a 13-2 advantage after halftime. The Muskies' Justin Medard picked of a Lindsey pass, Eureka's only turnover in the game, on the Red Devils' nine yard line. Wilk's third and final touchdown throw went to Isiah Calhoun on the next play. The extra point kick was blocked and returned the other way by Cody Troutman (Bloomington, Ill./Normal Comm.) for two points making the score 25-9.
The Red Devils failed on a fourth down rush handing the ball over on their own 30 late in the third quarter. Lakeland did not take long to capitalize again as Paul Resop ran in from one yard out two plays later. This time, the extra point was good, closing the scoring at 32-9.
Neither squad got inside the opponent's 35 in a scoreless final stanza.
In addition to Knake, Troutman and Wayne O'Harrow (Crete, Ill./Bloom Trail) recorded interceptions. Troutman has picked of four passes over the last four weeks. Michael Moseley (Lubbock, Texas/Monterey) led the EC defense with 12 tackles. Eureka has now picked off seven passes in the last two games.
Eureka held Lakeland off the scoreboard on 10 out of the 12 drives in which the Muskies took over on their side of midfield. The three Lakeland possessions starting in Eureka territory accounted for 19 of the 32 points EC allowed.
Lindsey threw for 117 yards with a touchdown and interception. Drew Whightsil (Vandalia, Ill./HS) and Dillon Reed (Illiopolis, Ill./Sangamon Valley) caught four passes apiece for a combined 55 yards. Eureka was held to (-11) yards rushing in the first half and finished with 15 yards on 42 carries.
Lakeland's Paul Resop was the game's leading rusher, gaining 74 yards on 14 attempts. White hauled in four passes for 79 yards and two touchdowns. Wilk was 11-for-23 for 166 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions.
The Red Devils continue league play next week with a match up with the Panthers of Greenville College. The kickoff on Oct. 13 in Greenville is slated for 1:00 pm.
Week 5
EUREKA — Brad Polanin (Metamora, Ill./HS) hauled in a 25 yard touchdown pass from Nick Lindsey (Homer, Ill./Heritage) and Eureka College intercepted four Concordia University Chicago aerials en route to a 28-21 triumph Saturday afternoon. With the victory, the Red Devils improved to 1-3, 1-1 Illini-Badger Football Conference. Concordia (2-3, 1-1 IBFC) suffered its first loss in league play.
Eureka dominated time of possession for the third week in a row, this time taking full advantage of a 38:35 to 21:25 edge. The Red Devils ran an impressive 96 plays, which included 64 rushing attempts for 244 yards, compared to the Cougars' 56.
The two teams combined for 25 penalties for a total of 257 yards. the Red Devils were able to overcome being flagged 16 times for 147 yards.
Three of Eureka's interceptions came before halftime. Cody Troutman (Bloomington, Ill./Normal Comm.) picked off a Mike Marotta pass on the opening possession to set up on the only scoring drive of the first quarter. Lindsey scampered to paydirt from 10 yards out leading to a 7-0 EC lead.
It was an all-Weeks connection that allowed Concordia to tie the score at 7-7 on the second play of the second quarter as quarterback Jason Weeks throw to receiver Lukas Weeks for 26 yards.
Eureka struck back with two long drives and two touchdowns later in the frame. Sophomore Brett Dyer (Hindsboro, Ill./Arcola) carried six times during a 12 play, 65 yard drive that ended with Dyer's first touchdown of the season from six yards out.
The Red Devils sustained a 14 play drive that ended in a missed field goal, but got the ball back just three plays later when Jacob Wall (Cresent City, Ill./Cresent-Iroquois) intercepted Marotta. Lindsey extended the EC lead with a 17 yard run. Wall added the extra point, giving Eureka a 20-7 halftime lead.
Momentum changed over to the Cougars' sideline in the third quarter as Eureka fumbled away its first two second half possessions. Jason Weeks converted both miscues into short touchdown plunges of one and two yards to give Concordia a 21-20 lead going into the fourth quarter.
The game changing play came with 7:35 remaining as Concordia had the ball at midfield. Matt Knake (Freeburg, Ill./HS) jumped up to pick off a Weeks pass over the middle and returned the ball to the Eureka 48 with a face mask penalty tacked on to the end.
Trailing by one, the Red Devils were far from out of the woods as they faced a fourth and nine at the Cougars' 46. Lindsey's pass to Drew Whightsil (Vandalia, Ill./HS) was at first bobbled before being secured. The play gained just enough upon measurement to keep the drive going. Three plays later, Lindsey hit Polanin deep down the right side to put Eureka back ahead. Lindsey ran around corner for a two point conversions making the score 28-21.
Concordia still had two more chances, but turned the ball over on downs after four plays twice. Fourth down was a big factor in the game as Eureka was perfect on six conversions, while Concordia was 0-for-2.
Lindsey had a stellar day, completing 19 out of 32 pass attempts for one touchdown and no interceptions. He also was Eureka's leading runner with 85 yards and two touchdowns. What should not be overlooked is that the Eureka offensive line did a fine job protecting Lindsey, who was sacked only once and had ample time to throw on most occasions.
Dyer carried 24 times for 70 yards and a touchdown. Whightsil caught eight passes for 43 yards.
In addition to his interception, Knake was in on nine tackles and one sack. He was credited with 3.5 tackles for loss. Troutman had two interceptions and a fumble recovery.
Maurice Tisdale led the Concordia offense with five receptions for 114 yards. Jason Weeks (7-17, 120 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT) and Mike Marotta (3-7, 57 yards, 2 INT) were rotated in at quarterback throughout the day. Malcolm Godwin led all players with 13 tackles for the Cougars.
Eureka snapped a 20 game losing streak dating back to 2005. It was the longest in school history. Eureka went winless for 26 games between 1932 and 1936, but mixed in three ties.
The Red Devils travel to conference leading Lakeland College next Saturday, Oct. 6 for a 1:00 pm kickoff.
Week 4
MEQUON, Wis. — The defending Illini-Badger Football Conference champions picked up where they left off last season as Concordia University (WI) topped Eureka College 70-0 Saturday afternoon in both team's league opener.
The Red Devils were unable to mount much of an offensive attack before intermission, achieving a first down on two out of nine possessions. Even on Eureka's second drive, when the Red Devils got to the Concordia 16, a penalty and sack forced a punt.
The second half was a small improvement as EC reached Concordia territory on three occasions and held the ball for over 18 minutes. However, the Red Devils did not have anything to show for it as they were held out of the end zone each time.
Kyle Edgar (Arcola, Ill./HS) punted 13 times for a total of 443 yards with a long of 54. It was his punt that set up Eureka's best field position on the day as Josh Schnauber (Chillicothe, Ill./IVC) recovered the punt returner's fumble at the Concordia 39. An interception ended the threat, though, and the Red Devils were turned away once again.
Zach McDade (Savoy, Ill./Arcola) had his second straight strong game on the receiving end of the passing game, catching five aerials for 71 yards, both career-highs. Drew Whightsil (Vandalia, Ill./HS) had three receptions for 66 yards, while Dillon Reed (Illiopolis, Ill./Sangamon Valley) had five for 29.
Nick Lindsey (Homer, Ill./Heritage) completed 13 of 29 passes for 166 yards. He continued to be sacked at an alarming rate, losing 37 yards on five sacks. Justin Dempsey (Fairbury, Ill./Chenoa) gained 66 yards on the ground. Tony Martin (Lexington, Ill./HS) led EC defensively with six tackles.
The Falcons' Thomas Pacchioli tossed touchdown passes to three different receivers and added another six points on foot helping Concordia to a 35-0 halftime advantage.
Five different Falcons accounted for touchdowns after halftime as no player scored more than once in the game. Concordia had 14 different players carry the ball for a total of 482 yards on 44 tries.
The two teams combined for 25 penalties for 210 yards. Eureka ran 14 more plays and owned a 35:24 to 24:36 edge in time of possession.
The Red Devils return home for the their next contest next Saturday, Sept. 29. Eureka will host Concordia University Chicago at 1:00 pm.
EUREKA -- Eureka College dropped its second home football game in as many outings this season at the hands of the North Park University Vikings Saturday afternoon by the score of 33-12. The Red Devils owned a 34:35 to 25:25 advantage in time of possession, but fell victim to several big plays in sliding to 0-2.
Eureka was on the doorstep of its first lead of the season late in the opening quarter after a fantastic one-handed interception and 27 yard return to the North Park six yard line by Cody Troutman (Bloomington, Ill./Normal Comm.). But three plays later, Geoffrey Montgomery stepped in front of a Nick Lindsey (Homer, Ill./Heritage) aerial and raced 82 yards downfield before he was finally caught. Shelby Wood lofted a pass to Chris Durr on the next play for a 13 yard scoring strike, moving the Vikings (1-1) ahead 7-0.
"We need to make are turnovers count," said Eureka head coach Dan Sullivan. "I don't know if we would have won, but the game would have been a different story."
Another turnover, this time a fumble, set up North Park again deep in Eureka territory for the only touchdown of the second quarter. Kelvyn West ran in from 11 yards out as the Vikings took a 14-0 lead into the intermission.
The Red Devils trailed at the half despite out-gaining North Park and holding nearly a two-to-one edge in time of possession (19:53 to 10:07).
The Vikings' combination of short screen passes to wide receivers and running backs and the rugged rushing of West became tough for EC to handle in the second half.
Wood connected with B.J. Chandler for a 17 yard touchdown pass on the opening drive of the third quarter, giving North Park a 21-0 lead.
"They took over athletically in the second half," added Sullivan. "They were getting extra yards after contact and we weren't. We need to get better playing the man out of the backfield...we've been burnt twice in two games."
The Red Devils answered back with a nine play, 57 yard drive capped by an unconventional 32 yard pass from Lindsey to Zach McDade (Savoy, Ill./Arcola). Lindsey's pass was actually intended for Kyle Edgar (Arcola, Ill./HS), but the ball was tipped high in the air by a defender only to hit McDade in stride around the 10. McDade, who earlier on the drive caught a 19 yard pass, slithered into the end zone. The extra point was missed keeping the count at 21-6.
North Park was pinned inside its own ten yard line three times by Kyle Edgar punts in the game, but overcame the poor field position to put the game out of reach early in the fourth quarter. West capped a 97 yard drive with a 59 yard run, making the score 27-6 with 14:49 remaining.
The Vikings tacked on another six points as Wood rushed in from eight yards away to make the score 33-6. McDade was responsible for the final tallies with his second touchdown on the day as he ran around the right side for a three yard scamper with 2:38 to go. Eureka took over in good position following an 11 yard fumble return by Troutman that took the ball to the North Park 27. The fumble was forced by Matt Knake (Freeburg, Ill./HS).
Lindsey finished 12-for-19 passing for 125 yards with a touchdown and interception. McDade caught four passes for 63 yards. Justin Dempsey (Fairbury, Ill./Chenoa) carried 25 times for 63 yards.
Cornerbacks Troutman and Wayne O'Harrow (Crete, Ill./Bloom Trail) highlighted the EC defensive effort, combining for 19 tackles and three passes defended. Knake was credited with 10 tackles.
After being held to 25 yards in the first half, West ran roughshod after halftime to finish with 183 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries. Wood was 20-32 for 164 yards. Chris Durr caught nine passes for 98 yards and a TD.
The Red Devils begin the final season of Illini-Badger Football Conference play next Saturday at defending champion Concordia University (WI). Game time in Mequon is set for 1:00 pm.
EUREKA, Ill. — Justin Dempsey (Fairbury, Ill./Chenoa) rushed for 113 yards and two touchdowns, but Eureka College (0-1) had two interceptions overturned by penalty en route to a season opening defeat to visiting Knox College (0-1).
In all, 16 flags were tossed in the game for a total of 174 penalty yards. The Red Devils accounted for 10 for 111 yards.
"You're not beating anybody with that many penalties," said Eureka coach Dan Sullivan. "It was just a lack of discipline on our part. The officials did a nice job. Most of the chippy-ness was during play. I'm going to start throwing flags in practice. The players need to get a feel for how penalties affect games"
Both offenses sputtered in their first respective possession of the season, but Knox reached the end zone on both its second and third. Brent Newman drew first blood with a four-yard touchdown plunge, while Prairie Fire quarterback Jake Strain connected with fullback Aaron Willits for a 12 yard scoring strike. Jack Dippold made one out of two extra points leaving Knox ahead 13-0 after the first quarter.
Eureka responded with a nine play, 65 yard touchdown drive capped off by a Dempsey run from five yards out. Red Devil quarterback Nick Lindsey (Homer, Ill./Heritage) called his own number for a key fourth down conversion on the drive. EC was also helped by an encroachment penalty on a third down and five.
The turning point of the contest came only minutes later. Eureka's Drew Whightsil (Vandalia, Ill./HS), who was also the team's leading receiver with two catches for 28 yards, recovered a bad snap on a punt at the Knox five yard line. But, EC suffered losses on its next three plays, thanks in part to two of Knox's six sacks on the day. The Red Devils eventually gave up the ball on downs.
Later in the half, Eureka's Tony Martin (Lexington, Ill./HS) picked off a Strain aerial and provided a nifty return back to the Knox 20, but a Red Devil teammate was flagged for pass interference giving the ball back to Knox. The Prairie Fire continued the drive for 17 plays and nearly eight minutes, but were turned away after a missed field goal. The halftime score remained 13-7.
Eureka had three possessions in the third quarter with a chance to get closer or take the lead, but could not reach Knox territory. The third was especially ill-fated as a wayward pitch was covered by Will Goehring of Knox on the Eureka nine. Two plays later, Strain dumped off his second touchdown pass to Willits from five yards out to give the Prairie Fire a 19-7 edge.
To make matters worse, an interception set up another Knox touchdown early in the fourth quarter as Strain scampered in from 14 yards away.
Eureka got those seven points back quickly, however, as Dempsey sprinted 53 yards for a one play EC scoring drive. Jacob Wall (Cresent City, Ill./Cresent-Iroquois) remained perfect on point after tries to bring Eureka within 26-14 with eight minutes to play.
Cody Troutman (Bloomington, Ill./HS) intercepted a Strain pass on the ensuing possession, but again it was negated by a roughing the passer penalty. Knox eventually capitalized on the second chance by handing off to Willits for an 18 yard scoring run to make the final score 33-14.
Led by the combined 20 tackles of Tim Dombrowski (Lansing, Ill./T.F. South) and Tommy Butler (Arrowsmith, Ill./Ridgeview), the Eureka defense hung tough most of the day despite Knox running 19 more plays and enjoying a 34:28-25:32 advantage in time of possession.
"We need to limit our mistakes," added Sullivan. "We're disappointed, but it's not the end of the world."
Dempsey's 113 rushing yards are the most by a Red Devil since October 30, 2004, a span of 22 games. He averaged 7.5 yards per carry.
Willits also ran for 113 yards to lead Knox. Strain was 7-for-13 for 70 passing yards and two touchdowns.
Eureka has next week off before its second home game of the season, Sept. 15 at 1:00 pm versus North Park University. |
