Football Falls to Lakeland at Home

EUREKA, Ill. – A lopsided third quarter propelled Lakeland to a 49-8 victory over the Eureka football team on Friday night.

The Red Devils' defense started strong, forcing turnovers on the Muskies' first two drives. On the opening drive, Daniel Parhams (Columbus, Ga./Hardaway) made a crucial interception at the Eureka 10-yard line, keeping Lakeland off the scoreboard. On the subsequent drive, the Muskies threatened again, but Quvione Mitchell (Chicago, Ill./CICS Longwood) intercepted the ball deep in their own territory, marking the second turnover of the day for the Red Devils' defense.

However, the Eureka offense was forced to punt after both turnovers, giving the ball back to Lakeland with just over three minutes left in the first quarter. The Muskies took advantage of their defensive success, marching 63 yards in eight plays, capped off by a 31-yard touchdown pass. This gave Lakeland a 7-0 lead just before the end of the first quarter.

The Red Devils' offense responded on their next drive, setting up a 35-yard field goal attempt. Unfortunately, Matthew Rangel-Torres (Pekin, Ill./Pekin Community) was short on the kick, leaving Eureka scoreless once again.

Eureka's defense rose to the occasion on the following possession, forcing a turnover on downs at their own 9-yard line. However, the offense struggled to gain momentum and was forced to punt deep in their territory, ultimately giving Lakeland the ball back at the Eureka 39-yard line. The Lakeland offense capitalized with a 22-yard touchdown pass, extending their lead to 14-0.

Eureka finally gained some momentum on their next drive when Kaeden Frazier (Clarkston, Wash./Clarkston) connected with Nathanael Vroman (Hilliard, Fla./Hilliard) for a 48-yard gain. However, the drive ended abruptly when Frazier was intercepted at the 4-yard line.

After halftime, the Red Devils trailed just 14-0, but that score would change quickly. The Muskies dominated the third quarter, scoring 28 points and holding the Red Devils scoreless, extending their lead to 42-0.

Eureka finally got on the scoreboard with their first drive of the fourth quarter, as Braden Tollett (Crossville, Tenn./Cumberland County) found Vroman for a two-yard touchdown pass. The Red Devils converted the two-point conversion to cut the lead to 42-8.

Lakeland answered on their next offensive drive with a 16-yard touchdown pass, marking the final points of the day as the Muskies secured a 49-8 victory.

Lakeland generated 659 yards of total offense compared to just 242 yards by Eureka. Frazier finished the day 10-for-21 for 141 yards with two interceptions, while Tollett went 8-for-16 for 112 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Jayden Crowder (Springfield, Ill./Lanphier) led the Red Devils in rushing with 27 yards on eight attempts, while Vroman topped the receiving corps with 132 yards on eight receptions and a touchdown. Brent Potts (Lantana, Ga./Lucy C Laney) led Eureka defensively, recording 11 tackles, while Derrion Rogers (Elmore City, Okla./Midwest City) added eight tackles and two sacks.

UP NEXT

The Red Devils will head to Concordia Wisconsin on Saturday, Oct. 19, with kickoff set for 1:00 p.m.