The Tornado football team traveled to Pomona last Friday, Oct. 10 to take on the West Franklin Falcons. While the game started slowly & quietly, the Tornadoes would impose their will against the Falcons.
Eureka took the opening kickoff and didn’t look back. With good field position to start the game, the Tornadoes attacked on the ground. After a few first downs, Peyton Hare scampered 39 yards for a touchdown. The Tornado defense would force a three and out from the Falcon offense and would take over on the plus side of the 50 yard line. However, the Tornado offense didn’t take advantage of the great field position. The Eureka defense would once again force a three and out and give the offense another chance to add to their 6-0 lead. The offense methodically drove the ball down field before Hare took off again for a 28 yard touchdown run. The Tornado defense would smother the Falcon offense again, forcing another punt, this time the Tornado offense only needed 2 plays to score. Hare would roll to his left looking for his receivers before pulling the ball down and weaving 64 yards for his third touchdown run of the evening. The Tornado defense not allowing the Falcon offense to breath needed only 1 play to get the ball back. This time, Christian Andrews intercepted a deflected pass and returned it 15 yards setting up the offense in plus territory. However, the offense would once again waste an opportunity to add to their 3 touchdown lead.
The Falcon offense would get a first down on their drive before a bad snap that was recovered by Justin Andrews giving the Tornadoes the ball once more. This time, the Tornadoes only needed one play to find the endzone. Hare would drop back to pass and connected with Cole Ptacek for a 56 yard touchdown. With a four touchdown lead, the Tornadoes looked to put the nail into the Falcon’s coffin and they did courtesy of Noah Rippy. Rippy would intercept a Falcon pass and return it 65 yards for a touchdown. The two teams would trade unsuccessful offensive drives to end the first half. The Falcon offense would get the ball coming out of halftime and would get into Tornado territory before being turned away.
The Tornado offense started the drive moving the ball well but stalled out and was forced to punt to the Falcons. The Falcon offense once again got into Eureka territory before another bad snap which was scooped up by Gauge Lopez and returned 74 yards for the second Tornado defensive touchdown of the night. The next Falcon offensive drive also ended in a fumble which was recovered by C. Andrews. The Tornado offense would march down the field using J. Andrews & Hare’s legs to do so. J. Andrews would cap off the drive with a 3 yard touchdown run & a 2 point conversion throw & catch from Hare to Tristian Milner. The final score was Eureka 44, West Franklin 0. Stat leaders: Offense - Hare 1 for 5 passing for 56 yards 1 TD, 16 rushes for 216 yards & 3 TDs. J. Andrews 12 rushes for 80 yards 1 TD. Ptacek 1 catch 56 yards & TD. Defense - Rippy 8 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 Sack, 1 Forced Fumble, 1 INT, 1 Def TD. Lopez 5 tackles, 2 TFLs, 3 Sacks, 1 Fumble Recovery, 1 Def. TD. Hare 4 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 Sack. J. Andrews 3 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 Sack, 1 Fumble Recovery. C. Andrews 5 tackles, 1 INT, 1 Fumble Recovery.
The Tornadoes will face off with Central Heights this Friday, Oct. 17 for their last District game, at 7 p.m.
