Benedictine Poses Tough Homecoming Challenge for EC
EUREKA – Homecoming week is here, and the Eureka football team is heading into the big day coming off a strong win.
Last Saturday, the Red Devils returned to McKinzie Field and handled Rockford's high-powered offense, taking down the Regents 31-14 and opening Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference play 1-0.
After two tough non-conference losses, it was encouraging to see for head coach Kurt Barth and the EC coaching staff.
"Sunday morning was a better feeling, for sure," he said. "Monday, it's back to work and you've got to get ready. There's no time to rest and there's no time to enjoy things. You've got one of the top teams in the conference coming in."
On Saturday at 4 p.m., the Red Devils (1-2, 1-0 NACC) will take on Benedictine (3-0, 1-0 NACC) in the 43rd known Homecoming game in program history on the weekend Eureka celebrates its 100th Homecoming. The maroon and gold will be vying to pick up its ninth Homecoming win in its last 11 tries.
With the Eagles in town, the Red Devils will have a formidable challenge on their hands.
"They're a very solid football team," Barth said. "Very well-coached, very disciplined on both sides of the ball, they're a group that doesn't make a lot of mistakes. They play good, hard-nosed football. They force you to do the same. If you make mistakes, they're going to jump on it, and that's how they've been able to get off to such a great start."
Benedictine opened the season with a 52-7 blowout at Finlandia. In Week 2, the Eagles topped a Loras squad (48-26) that managed to knock off No. 12 Central College the following week. Then, last week, the Eagles pounded Concordia Wisconsin 55-17 in their NACC opener.
Through three games, the Eagles lead the NACC with 51.7 points, 589.7 yards and 349.3 passing yards per game.
Senior quarterback Tyler Jarnagin leads the conference and is second in the nation with 1,004 passing yards. He has completed 73.3 percent of his passes (63-for-86), tallied 12 touchdowns and only thrown one interception. In the rout of Concordia Wisconsin, Jarnagin was nearly unstoppable, completing 24 of 28 passes and throwing for 323 yards and four touchdowns.
Running back Gregory Hoard is second in the league in rushing yards with 314 yards on 54 carries and has scored five touchdowns. The Eagles are also second in the league in rushing with 240.3 yards per game.
"They can run it," Barth said. "They can hit you with quick screens. They can hit you over the top. They've got some very talented receivers, very good offensive line. They play well as a team and they force you to be solid on defense as well."
The Red Devils defensive unit showed that they're up to the task against Rockford. After conceding 57 points against the Regents last year, Eureka limited the Regents to 14 points. Rockford quarterback Jaelen Ray entered leading the nation in passing yards. The Red Devils held him to one touchdown and one interception on 18-of-38 passing.
The team's defensive backs turned in their best performance in several years, and Barth said the staff thought Jack Arnett (a career-high nine total tackles and one pass breakup) and Garrett Wayne (three tackles and two breakups) each had their best game as a Red Devil.
The defensive line played well and linebackers Brendan Durr (11 tackles and one breakup), Chuck Weathersby (three tackles and one breakup) and Austin Hopkins (seven tackles and one pass breakup) were all terrific as well.
"We were able to get some pressure without sending too many guys on a lot of blitzes," Barth said. "We also limited big plays, and I was proud that we had a couple of takeaways.
"Those are obviously some good things, and need to continue to build on that."
On the other side of the ball, the Red Devils also saw significant improvement in its running and passing games.
In the former, the team recorded a season-high 235 rushing yards and scored three times. Senior running back Peyton Doughty ripped off a 40-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter and finished with a career-high 111 rushing yards on 20 attempts. Sophomore transfer Angel Garcia added 99 rushing yards on 20 attempts and scored his first career touchdown in the first quarter. Quarterback Noah Berlett also had a couple of nice runs and fullback Ben Bernabei found the end zone for the first time this season.
Senior Pierce Bradford came back from injury and gave the team a huge lift. He put up 96 yards on six catches and scored on a 30-yard catch-and-run to put the Red Devils up early. He is now tied with Nathan Hutchings for third all-time in program history with 17 career touchdown receptions. Berlett, a freshman who came in on the second series of the game, threw for a career-high 132 yards while completing 9-of-17 passes with one touchdown and one interception.
"He stepped in and made some great throws," Barth said. "I think there were some that he could have made that he didn't, but that's the nature of the beast, I guess. As time goes on, I think you'll see an improvement.
"It was overall a very productive day for an extensive playing time period for him."
Eureka also saw success on special teams. Kicker Steven Bartkus made a 30-yard field goal in the second quarter, had two touchbacks on impressive kickoffs and helped set up a Eureka recovery on a pooch kick. Punter Sam Bartels had a 62- and 64-yard punt that rolled to the Rockford 7 and 13, respectively, and the return team made some plays as well.
Everyone will need to rise to the occasion to continue Eureka's run of Homecoming success.
"I want our guys to have fun, but stay focused on what we've got to do Saturday," Barth said. "Homecoming is certainly much more enjoyable Saturday night when you end up with a 'W.'"
