Red Devils Drop First Road Test of the Season

FULTON, Mo. – The Eureka football team couldn't overcome a dominant first half by Westminster on Saturday, falling 29-6 in their first road trip of the season.

Eureka's defense got off to a strong start, forcing a punt on the opening possession. Christopher Walker (Miami, Fla./Carol City) broke up a pass, and Quivone Mitchell (Chicago, Ill./CICS Longwood) delivered a sack to end the drive and give the ball to the Eureka offense. After a penalty pushed the offense back five yards, the Red Devils were forced to punt the ball back to the Blue Jays. Starting with great field position, Westminster then marched 46 yards, capped off by a 2-yard rushing touchdown by Keegan Zdybel to take a 7-0 lead, which would hold through the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter saw Westminster take full control. Isaiah Gates scored on a 5-yard run to extend the lead, and following an interception, Landon Yardley found the end zone on another short carry. The Blue Jays added a third touchdown late in the half as Trace Helsel powered in from five yards out. Two missed extra points left the score at 26-0 heading into halftime.

Eureka brought new energy to start the third quarter. After an early interception set Westminster up with prime field position, the defense held strong, forcing a turnover on downs. Will Watkins (Flint, Mich./Davison) and Roshawn Calhoun (Port Arthur, Texas/Port Arthur Memorial) combined to stop Westminster on a short fourth down attempt. That stand sparked Eureka's best drive of the day, as quarterback Daryus Warren (Palmdale, Calif./Highland) led a 14-play, 79-yard march capped by a 6-yard touchdown pass to Keyshawn Cone (Miami, Fla./Carol City) with 7:15 remaining in the quarter. Westminster responded with a 39-yard field goal to make it 29-6 heading into the fourth quarter.

In the fourth, the Eureka defense came up big again. Ethan Paulat (Sun Prairie, Wis./Sun Prairie East) sacked Trey Thomas to force a Westminster punt, and Warren led another strong drive with long completions to Dalarian Rose (Dallas, Texas/Poteet), Jeriamiah Washington (Chicago, Ill./Richards), and a crucial 25-yard fourth down conversion to Anterion Theodore (Atlanta, Ga./McNair) that brought the Red Devils into the red zone. Eureka advanced all the way to the 1-yard line, but Westminster's defense held firm, delivering a goal-line stand and forcing a turnover on downs. With just 7:15 remaining, the Blue Jays' offense strung together a few first downs and eventually kneeled out the clock to secure the 29-6 victory.

Warren finished the day with 131 yards and a touchdown on 14-of-39 passing, while also rushing for 40 yards on eight carries. On defense, Jovon Gibson (Statesboro, Ga./Statesboro) led the team with 13 tackles. Watkins added nine tackles and a sack, while Chuck Weathersby (Kankakee, Ill./Kankakee) recorded 10 tackles.

Up Next

Eureka will kick off conference play on the road Saturday, Sept. 20, against Rockford. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.