Early Deficit Too Much as Eureka Falls to Wisconsin Lutheran

EUREKA, Ill. – The Eureka football team could not overcome an early deficit against Wisconsin Lutheran on Saturday night, falling 42-12 despite a spirited comeback effort that was sparked by a pick-six just before halftime at Pete FioRito Stadium.

The Warriors (3-4, 3-2 NACC) opened the game with touchdowns on each of their first two possessions, taking a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter.

Eureka (2-6, 1-5 NACC) looked to swing the momentum late in the first half after a blocked punt by sophomore Chuck Weathersby (Kankakee, Ill./Kankakee) set up the Red Devils at the WLC 41-yard line, but the drive stalled on downs. Wisconsin Lutheran responded by capitalizing on the turnover on downs, punching in another score to make it 21-0. A mishandled snap on Eureka's next drive gave the Warriors possession deep in Red Devil territory, leading to another short touchdown run and a commanding 28-0 advantage.

Eureka finally broke through in the closing moments of the first half when freshman defensive back Christopher Walker (Miami, Fla./Carol City) intercepted a pass and returned it 54 yards for a touchdown, cutting the deficit to 28-6 and giving the Red Devils a much-needed spark heading into halftime.

The Red Devils carried that momentum into the third quarter, marching 75 yards on the opening drive of the half and capping it with a 4-yard touchdown run by freshman Aaron Locus (Hopewell, Va./Thomas Dale) to pull within 28-12. Eureka's defense followed with another big play, as freshman cornerback Jovon Gibson (Statesboro, Ga./Statesboro) intercepted his second pass of the season and returned it 38 yards to the WLC 37. The Red Devils then drove all the way to the 1-yard line, before a fourth-down sack by the Warriors' defense ended the scoring threat.

On the very next play, Wisconsin Lutheran delivered a crushing blow on a 92-yard touchdown pass from Joshua Rico to Gordon, for his second score of the day, extending the lead to 35-12. The Warriors added one more touchdown in the fourth quarter on a 3-yard rush from Carson Koehler to solidify the win.

Freshman running back Ronnie Sanders (Ocilla, Ga./Irwin County) led Eureka's ground game with 66 yards on 14 carries. Sophomore wide receiver DeVayne Isom (Hawthorne, Nev./Mineral County) hauled in four receptions for 27 yards, while sophomore quarterback Ethan Velazquez (Chicago, Ill./Prosser) finished 9-for-27 for 53 yards through the air and added 20 rushing yards.

Defensively, freshman safety Micah Gilcrest (Richmond, Va./Thomas Dale) posted nine tackles, including two for loss. Weathersby contributed six tackles, a sack, and a blocked punt, while junior defensive end Derrick Payton Jr. (West Seattle, Wash./O'Dea) recorded a sack and four quarterback hurries. Walker and Gibson both recorded interceptions, combining for 92 return yards.

As a team, Eureka totaled 137 yards of offense (84 rushing, 53 passing) while surrendering 499 total yards to the Warriors.

UP NEXT

The Red Devils will now have a bye week before returning home to McKinzie Field for Senior Day on Saturday, Nov. 8, when they host Lakeland at 1 p.m. in their final home game of the season.