The Tornadoes hosted the Bluestem Lions for Homecoming this past Friday and the Tornadoes made sure it was a royal celebration. Eureka got off to a rough start going three and out on their first drive before a botched snap on the punt which gave the Lions favorable field position. The Lions wasted no time scoring the game’s opening points on a touchdown run but the Tornadoes wasted no time responding. The drive started off with a 34 yard throw from Peyton Hare to Cole Ptacek and was capped off with a 9 yard touchdown run by Hare followed by a 2 point throw and catch from Hare to Homecoming King TJ Mills. Up 8-6, the Tornadoes never looked back. They would force a three and out giving the ball back to the offense. Eureka would need only two plays to add to their lead with a 66 yard touchdown run by Hare. Mills, constantly a weapon for the Tornadoes, forced a safety on the following kickoff. While the Tornadoes would give the ball away to the Lions, on the following kickoff Eureka would force another three and out but this time the Lions would attempt a fake punt which was sniffed out by the Tornado defense. The Tornado offense mounted a hopeful drive into Lions territory but failed to put points on the board. The two teams would trade unsuccessful offensive possessions until 49 seconds remained in the first half. That’s when Hare ripped through the heart of the Lions defense for a 77 yard touchdown run, followed by a 2 point throw and catch from Hare to Noah Rippy. Opening up the second half, the Tornado defense forced a punt and wasted no time marching down the field in 7 plays ending in a 24 yard touchdown pass from Hare to Ptacek. This would be the final time the Tornadoes added to the score board, and unfortunately the Lions would find the endzone one more time. The final score, 30-12.
Stat leaders Offense
Hare: 3 for 9 passing, 72 yard 1 TD, 13 rushes for 180 yards and 3 TDs.
Justin Andrews: 12 rushes for 61 yards.
Christian Andrews: 6 rushes for 20 yards.
Ptacek: 3 catches for 72 yards and 1 TD.
Defense:
Rippy: 8 solo tackles, 2 assisted.
Hare: 8 solo tackles, 2 TFL, 1 Sack.
J. Andrews: 7 solo tackles, 4 assisted, 2 TFL.
Gauge Lopez: 5 solo tackles, 1 assisted, 2 TFL.
Eli Mason: 4 solo tackles, 5 assisted.
Eureka will travel to Pomona- West Franklin this Friday, Oct. 10, before hosting Central Heights on Oct. 17. Both games are slated to begin at 7 p.m.
Justin Andrews (22) Broke A Tackle For Offensive Yards Tornado Defense Held The Bluestem Lions
