Eureka Opens NACC Play with Commanding Win Over Rockford

ROCKFORD, Ill. – The Red Devils jumped out to an early lead and never trailed, using a fast start to secure a 40-20 road win over Rockford in their NACC opener. Despite a second half push from the Regents, Eureka held on to seal the victory.

Eureka set the tone early on both sides of the ball. After a defensive stop, Eureka marched 80 yards on 13 plays, capped by a 1-yard touchdown run from freshman Ronnie Sanders (Ocilla, Ga./Irwin County). Though the 2-point attempt failed, the Red Devils had established control early with a 6-0 lead.

Rockford's next possession ended in a fumble, recovered by Jovon Gibson (Statesboro, Ga./Statesboro), but Eureka couldn't capitalize, throwing an interception in the red zone. The defense held firm once again, and Eureka struck again in the second quarter. Quarterback Daryus Warren (Palmdale, Calif./Highland) connected with Dalarian Rose (Dallas, Texas/Poteet) for a 9-yard touchdown pass, followed by a successful 2-point conversion to make it 14-0.

After a fumble recovery by Derrick Payton Jr. (West Seattle, Wash./O'dea) gave the ball back to the Eureka offense, the Red Devils added a third score before halftime, when Warren found DeVayne Isom (Hawthorne, Nev./Mineral County) for a 4-yard touchdown pass. The Red Devils entered the break with a commanding 20-0 lead.

The Red Devils carried their momentum into the second half and started with a huge play. On the first play of the third quarter, Warren hit tight end Bryan Humes (Las Vegas, Nev./Clark) for a 65-yard touchdown strike. The Eureka defense then came up with a big stop, when Will Watkins (Flint, Mich./Davison) forced a fumble that was recovered by Zion Bettis (Dolton, Ill./Thornridge) to end a threatening drive by Rockford.

However, Rockford responded with a defensive touchdown, scooping up a Warren fumble and returning it 15 yards to the end zone. Later in the quarter, Rockford added a 26-yard touchdown pass to Kenny Moten-Barden, trimming the deficit to 26-14. After Eureka's drive ended in a punt, Rockford found more success through the air, hitting William Key for a 30-yard reception to trim the lead to 26-20.

Eureka would respond on the next possession, when Sanders broke loose on the second play of the possession for a 71-yard touchdown run to extend the lead to 34-20.

Rockford's offense threated again on their next possession, but the Eureka defense held firm, forcing a turnover on downs at the Eureka 8-yard line. The Red Devils took advantage of the stop and delivered a 92-yard drive that ended with a 70-yard touchdown pass to Omarion Carter (Miami Gardens, Fla./Carol City) to give Eureka a 40-20 lead with just 3 minutes remaining.

The defense sealed the victory late with an interception from Micah Gilcrest (Richmond, Va./Thomas Dale), who returned it 40 yards to midfield, setting up Eureka to kneel out the clock and leave with a 40-20 victory.

Warren finished 16-of-23 for 249 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception. Sanders led the ground game with 109 yards and two scores on 12 carries. Isom added 44 receiving yards and a touchdown.

Defensively, Gilcrest tied for the team lead with eight tackles, a forced fumble, and the game-clinching interception. Gibson also added eight tackles and a fumble recovery, and Payton Jr. recorded a sack and a fumble recovery.

UP NEXT

Eureka (2-1, 1-0 NACC) returns to McKinzie Field on Saturday to host Aurora (1-2, 0-1 NACC). The Red Devils will look to earn a signature win against the six-time defending conference champions, who had their 46-game NACC win streak snapped last week. Eureka will also be aiming to avenge last season's 56-0 loss to the Spartans as they prepare for one of their toughest tests of the season.