Football Falls in Home Opener

EUREKA, Ill. – A quick start by Greenville led to a second straight loss for the Eureka football team at home on Saturday night. 

The Red Devils' defense began the game strongly, forcing a turnover on downs on the opening possession. However, the offense, starting on their own 31-yard line, fumbled on their first play. The turnover allowed the Panthers' defense to score a 30-yard touchdown. The extra point attempt was missed, leaving the score 6-0. 

Eureka fumbled the subsequent kickoff, and Greenville's special teams unit jumped on it, marking their second fumble recovery in under a minute. With excellent starting field position at the Red Devils' 41-yard line, Greenville advanced 41 yards in 7 plays, capped off by an 8-yard touchdown rush to extend their lead to 13-0 just over 5 minutes into the game.

The game entered halftime with the Greenville still leading 13-0. Eight of the last 10 drives of the first half ended in punts, while the other two drives resulted in a turnover on downs by Greenville and the game clock expiring on the Panthers' final drive of the half. 

The second half began similarly to the first, with 5 consecutive punts. However, Greenville eventually added to their lead with a 92-yard drive in just six plays, ending with a 3-yard touchdown rush that made the score 20-0 with just over 13 minutes left to play.

The Red Devils finally scored when quarterback Braden Tollett (Crossville, Tenn./Cumberland County), who entered the game late in the second quarter in relief of the injured Kaeden Frazier (Clarkston, Wash./Clarkston), connected with freshman wide receiver Nathanael Vroman (Hilliard, Fla./Hilliard) for a 57-yard touchdown. This long touchdown pass seemed to shift the momentum, leading to a turnover on downs on Greenville's next possession. 

Eureka gained possession at their own 29-yard line and drove 46 yards to the Panthers' 9-yard line, but a turnover on downs gave the ball back to Greenville. 

The Panthers' offense capitalized on the turnover with a 32-yard touchdown rush, extending their lead to 27-7 with just over a minute remaining. An interception by the Panthers' defense on Eureka's next possession sealed the victory for Greenville, who improved to 2-0 on the season, while the Red Devils fell to 0-2. 

Tollett finished the game with 10 completions on 18 attempts for 213 passing yards. Senior running back Angel Garcia (Elgin, Ill./Larkin) led the team in rushing with 20 carries for 82 yards. Vroman led in receiving yards with 4 receptions for 75 yards, including his 57-yard touchdown reception. 

On defense, Brent Potts (Lantana, Ga./Lucy C Laney) led the team with 8 tackles, including 2 tackles for loss, and 1 pass breakup. Hansen Johnson (Laplace, La./East St. John) had another strong showing for the Red Devils with 5 tackles. 

Greenville outgained Eureka 399-306 in yards of total offense. The Red Devils recorded 229 passing yeards, compared to just 119 for Greenville, who excelled on the ground with 280 rushing yards compared to Eureka's 77. 

UP NEXT

The Red Devils begin conference play on Saturday, Sep. 21, when they take on Wisconsin Lutheran on the road at 6:00 p.m.