Eureka Welcomes Benedictine for Homecoming Clash

EUREKA, Ill. – The Red Devils are set for a homecoming showdown this Saturday, taking on Benedictine under the lights at McKinzie Field. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m., as Eureka looks to bounce back in front of its home crowd. Eureka will honor its 2025 Athletics Hall of Fame inductees at halftime of the game.

Fans can follow along via a live audio broadcast on EC 103.1 with Matthew Swan and Drew Danehl on the call. Live stats and a live stream will also be available through eurekareddevils.com.

After falling 42-0 to Benedictine last season, Eureka aims to turn the tide in front of a packed homecoming crowd.

BENEDICTINE BREAKDOWN: Benedictine (4-1, 2-0 NACC) enters Saturday riding high and sitting second in the conference standings. The Eagles have been one of the NACC's most complete teams through five weeks, averaging 33.6 points per game while allowing just 17.4. Their signature win came earlier this season when they snapped Aurora's 46-game NACC winning streak with a 36-35 road victory.

Last week, Benedictine rolled past Rockford 42-9 behind another dominant performance from sophomore running back Dino Stephens, who rushed for 135 yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries. Quarterback Jack Moses added 127 yards and a touchdown through the air, while receiver Jason Moore caught four passes for 124 yards and two scores.

On the year, the Eagles are led by Stephens, who ranks first in the NACC with 628 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. Moses ranks sixth with 850 passing yards and nine touchdowns, while Alex Siebens (257 yards, 1 TD) and Moore (241 yards, 3 TDs) headline the receiving corps. Defensively, Brian Pritt leads the NACC in sacks (8) and tackles for loss (10.5), while Jake Diamantos and Jack Hayden have combined for 70 tackles and seven sacks.

RED DEVIL SPOTLIGHT: Eureka continues to build balance on both sides of the ball as it enters the midpoint of the season. The Red Devils are averaging 256.6 yards per game, including 116.6 rushing and 140.0 passing.

With starting quarterback Daryus Warren sidelined due to injury, freshman Rudolph Jones Jr. will make his first collegiate start for the Red Devils. Jones provided a spark off the bench last week against Concordia Chicago, throwing for 154 yards and three touchdowns in the second half. He'll look to carry that momentum into Saturday's matchup under the lights of McKinzie Field.

Freshman Ronnie Sanders ranks eighth in the NACC in rushing with 233 yards and two scores. Aaron Locus has added 88 yards on the ground, and DeVayne Isom continues to make an impact as both a receiver and return man, totaling over 400 all-purpose yards through five games.

On defense, freshman Jovon Gibson leads Eureka and ranks 10th in the NACC with 37 total tackles, while Ethan Paulat (3 sacks, 30 tackles) and Derrick Payton Jr. (5.5 tackles for loss) have anchored the front line.

NACC LEADERS:

• Benedictine's Dino Stephens ranks 1st in the NACC in rushing yards (628) and rushing touchdowns (7), while Eureka's Ronnie Sanders is 8th in rushing yards (233).
• Benedictine QB Jack Moses is 6th in the league in passing yards (850) and passing TDs (9). Eureka's Daryus Warren ranks 8th in both categories (582 yards, 6 TDs).
• Benedictine WR Alex Siebens sits 9th in receiving yards (257), while his teammate, Tristan Weglarz, is in 14th with 241 yards and three scores.
• Eureka's Ethan Paulat is tied for 8th in the conference in sacks (3), while Derrick Payton Jr. is tied for 8th in tackles for loss (5.5).
• Benedictine's Brian Pritt leads the NACC with 8 sacks and ranks second in tackles for loss (10.5).

LOOKING AHEAD: Eureka will hit the road next Saturday, Oct. 18, for a NACC matchup at St. Norbert. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. in De Pere, Wisconsin.