Eureka seniors TJ Mills and Peyton Hare shined on a wet, cold evening in Eureka as the Tornadoes took on the Erie Red Devils. The game got off to a slow start thanks to the wet weather but once the Tornadoes found their footing they were off and running. Two special teams plays helped spark the Tornadoes. Gauge Lopez had a blocked punt which started a hopeful offensive possession but dwindled in the redzone. The next Erie drive stalled and when they punted again TJ Mills made them pay with a 33 yard punt return for a touchdown capped off by a Peyton Hare 2 point conversion. The defense went back to work & forced Erie to punt again, this time a high snap led to the Tornadoes getting excellent field position which was taken advantage of with a Hare to Mills touchdown pass of 36 yards. The two teams would trade sloppy offensive possessions before the half but a bright spot was the Tornadoes defense getting a goal line stand after a questionable defensive pass interference call aided the Erie drive. Erie’s opening drive out of halftime had some initial success until the Tornadoes bowed their backs and forced another punt attempt which had another high snap giving the Tornadoes solid field position. After a few negative plays & an unfortunate penalty on the Tornadoes, the drive was looking as if it was stalling out until Hare found Cole Ptacek for a gain of 28. Two plays later Mills found the endzone again with a run of 15 yards. Erie would then burn 4 minutes off the clock before giving the ball back to Eureka which took very little time to find the endzone. This time Hare kept it himself for a 41 yard scamper to pay dirt. The drive would then be capped off by a 2 point conversion with a pass from Hare to Tim Aguilar. The defense would hold Erie once more allowing the offense to march down the field in just 2 plays to score again this time Hare would connect with Ptacek on a 15 yard touchdown pass.
Hare would then finish off the drive with a 2 point conversion.
Leading Stats Offense Passing
Hare 4 for 9 for 82 yards & 2 TDs.
Rushing
Hare with 98 & a TD; Mills 39 & a TD.
Receiving
Ptacek 43 yards & a TD; Mills 39 yards & a TD.
Defense
Noah Rippy led the Tornado defense once again with 14 tackles and one Tackle For Loss (TFL); TJ Mills added 10 tackles and 2 sacks; Jameson Stewart had 4 tackles 1 sack and 1 fumble recovery; Gauge Lopez added 6 tackles 2 TFLs 1 sack and one forced fumble; Will Fitzwater had 3 tackles 1 TFL & 1 fumble recovery.
The Tornadoes will travel to Fredonia this Friday, Sept. 12, to take on the Yellowjackets. Those attending are encouraged to ‘Wear Blue for Brandon.” See related article on page 1.
