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For Immediate Release
Oct. 3, 2009
Greenville Grinds Out 20-13 Win Over Eureka
EUREKA, Ill. – Greenville junior running back Anthony Ambers ran for 140 yards on a wet, muddy field and the Greenville defense kept Eureka’s potent passing attack in check to hold on for a 20-13 UMAC South Division win over the Red Devils, Saturday afternoon at McKinzie Field.
Trying to run out the clock at their own 36-yard line with a 14-7 lead and 3:43 remaining in the game, the Panthers (3-1, 1-0 UMAC South) broke out in a big way when Ambers broke a 63-yard run down the middle of the field before being caught from behind by Eureka senior cornerback Cody Troutman (Normal, Ill./Normal Community H.S.) at the Eureka 1-yard line. The Eureka defense made back-to-back tackles for loss to push Greenville back to the 9-yard line on the next two plays, but junior running back Mark Mitchell scored on a run to the corner of the end zone on third-and-goal with 2:01 remaining for a 20-7 lead. Eureka blocked the ensuing extra point from Reid Ackerman to keep its deficit at 20-7.
With only one timeout and 2:00 remaining, the Red Devils (2-3, 0-1 UMAC South) put together an eight-play, 63-yard scoring drive capped by a 2-yard plunge from senior quarterback Nick Lindsey (Homer, Ill./Heritage H.S.) with 0:42 left in regulation. Lindsey was solid during the hurry-up drive, completing a 22-yard pass to sophomore wideout Wes Schmidgall (Eureka, Ill./Eureka H.S.) and running for 23 yards later in the series. The extra point attempt from freshman kicker Travis Huber (Morton, Ill./Morton H.S.) was wide to the left to keep Greenville in front 20-13. Huber’s ensuing onside kick attempt travelled 12 yards but was recovered by the Panthers to end Eureka’s comeback bid.
After a scoreless first quarter, Greenville struck first early in the second on a 6-yard touchdown run from Adonis Brown for a 7-0 lead. Eureka responded quickly with a seven-play, 70-yard drive capped by a 15-yard strike from Lindsey on a slant pattern to Schmidgall. The touchdown throw was Lindsey’s 10th of the season. The Panthers and Red Devils traded punts later in the quarter before ending the first half tied at 7-7.
Greenville scored on its first possession of the second half to regain the lead at 14-7. The Panthers ran the ball on the final eight plays of the drive before Ambers scored on a 14-yard scamper with 9:40 left in the third quarter.
After a Eureka fumble, the two squads traded punts on the next seven combined possessions before the Red Devils started to put together a potential game-tying drive with 5:08 left in the game. Senior running back Chris Wakid (Danvers, Ill./Eureka H.S.) picked up nine yards on a run play into Greenville territory, but Lindsey was intercepted three plays later by Greenville senior linebacker Garrett Young, setting up Greenville’s final scoring drive moments later.
The Eureka offense recorded 293 yards for the day, its lowest output at home this season. Lindsey threw for 149 yards on 12-of-22 passing with a touchdown and an interception, adding a team-high 97 rushing yards. Schmidgall pulled down 5 catches for 70 yards, while Wakid finished the day with 44 rushing yards on 12 carries. Senior linebacker Matt Knake (Freeburg, Ill./Freeburg H.S.) made a game-high 11.0 tackles to lead the EC defense.
The Red Devils will remain home to host their annual homecoming game at McKinzie Field on Saturday, Oct. 10 against UMAC South Division foe Westminster. Kickoff against the Blue Jays is scheduled for 1 p.m.
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For More Information Contact:
Bryan Moore
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