Football Falls to Wisconsin Lutheran

WAUWATOSA, Wis. – The Eureka football team struggled to keep pace with Wisconsin Lutheran on Saturday night, falling 38-6.

The Eureka defense got off to a strong start, forcing a turnover on downs on the first drive of the game. However, the offense was unable to capitalize on the opportunity and fumbled on their second play, giving the ball back to the Warriors. Despite favorable starting field position for Wisconsin Lutheran on their next possession, the Warriors came up empty as a defensive stand by Eureka forced a missed field goal. 

The next three possessions all ended in punts, and the game entered the second quarter at 0-0, with both teams' defenses showcasing impressive performances. However, the second quarter would tell a different story for the Red Devils' defense. Wisconsin Lutheran's first drive of the quarter resulted in a 37-yard touchdown pass, giving the Warriors a 7-0 lead. After Eureka went three-and-out, the Warriors extended their lead to 14-0 with a 21-yard touchdown run. Once again, the Red Devil offense was unable to respond and was forced to punt back to Wisconsin Lutheran. The Warriors capitalized with a 22-yard field goal as time expired, sending the game to halftime at 17-0.

Both defenses returned from halftime with the same energy they had at the start. The Red Devils went three-and-out on their first possession of the second half, but the Eureka defense responded by forcing the Warriors to punt on their next drive. However, the Red Devil offense was once again able to convert, leading to another punt. Wisconsin Lutheran then mounted an impressive 10-play, 84-yard drive, but the Eureka defense was once again up to the challenge. Just before the Warriors could score what would have been their third touchdown, Amari McKinley (Peoria, Ill./Richwoods) knocked the ball loose from the Warrior receiver, and Derrion Rogers (Elmore City, Okla./Midwest City) recovered it, giving the Red Devils possession. Unfortunately, for the third consecutive possession, the Red Devil offense could not gain a first down and had to punt again, leading to a 4-play, 43-yard touchdown drive by the Warriors that extended theor lead to 24-0, which held going into the fourth quarter. 

The Warrior offense carried their momentum into the fourth quarter, going 37 yards in 8 plays, capped off by a 1-yard touchdown run that made it 31-0. On their next possession, they went 78 yards in 6 plays, ending with a 47-yard touchdown pass to stretch the lead to 38-0. The Red Devils finally scored on their next possession when Braden Tollett (Crossville, Tenn./Cumberland County), starting in relief of the injured Kaeden Frazier(Clarkston, Wash./Clarkston), found Mondrel Boykins (Tunica, Miss./Rosa Fort) for a 21-yard touchdown pass. This touchdown capped an 8 play, 90-yard drive, making the score 38-6. The Warriors then ran out the clock on their final possession, sealing a 38-6 victory.

Wisconsin Lutheran generated 508 yards of total offense and 26 first downs, compared to just 189 yards and 9 first downs for Eureka. Tollett finished the game 17-for-30 with 146 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception. Macari Moss (Nassau, Bahamas/Sunrise Christian) led the Red Devils with 24 rushing yards on 9 attempts, while Boykins led the team with 40 receiving yards and 1 touchdown. 

UP NEXT

The Red Devils have two weeks off before returning home to face Concordia Chicago on Saturday, Oct. 5 at 3:00 p.m.