Friday Night football returns! Taylorville gets it done on Senior night, 13-0
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TAYLORVILLE — Senior quarterback Kamren Heimsness rushes passed defenders towards the goal line during the fourth quarter of the game with Mt. Vernon. Heimsness would finish with one touchdown and lead the Tornadoes to a 13-0 victory.
Lucas Domonousky/Breeze-Courier Photo
Lucas Domonousky
Breeze-Courier Sports Writer
TAYLORVILLE — Friday night football is back! The Taylorville Tornadoes rounded out the opening week of the high school fall season, hosting Mt. Vernon for their first reg- ular season game. Taylorville put up a “W” in this contest, winning the game, 13-0.
Festivities took place before the game started. All 12 seniors had their names announce while being escorted by their parents for Senior Night. The Seniors include: Kamren Heimsness, Luke Durbin, Karter
Ostermeier, Joe Lyons, Koby Long, Jaden Mathon, Gage Rusher, Jackson Myers, Hunter Gerlick, Eric Provines, Aaron
Corso and Collin Bottrell. Taylorville was set to recieve and the first home football game is under- way.
The Tornadoes marched down the field, eating up most of the time in the first quarter. But at the same time, penalties would eat at them, but they did not let that rattle team, determined to cross the goal line. Finally, Taylorville was able to punch it in as senior
Jackson Myers ran the ball in for the Tornadoes, plowing over anyone who stood in his way. With the extra point good, Taylorville had a 7-0 lead.
Mt. Vernon would recieve the ensuing kick- off, but would be stopped immediatley by the power- ful Tornado defense. Taylorville would do the same, though getting to the Rams 20 but failing to convert as the first quar- ter ended.
Starting the second quarter, senior Eric Provines and junior William Blue combined for a sack of the Mt. Vernon quarterback. The second quarter was all about the defense and the first half ended with Taylorville holding on to a 7-0 lead.
The second half started with Taylorville kicking off to Mt. Vernon. The Tornado defense came out fired up and put some monster hits on the Rams.
Mt Vernon, with another failure to convert on third down, seemed frustrated, unable to get anything going. Taylorville got the ball back and looked to add to their lead. Seth Hughs had a big run and an even bigger spin, the junior wowing crowd with the athletisism. However, the Tornado offense was unable to score before the third quarter ended.
A passionate Coach Lee Mateer told his defense to, “Play with some heart” as the fourth quarter started. This would lead to anoth- er Tornado stop. Taylorville’s offense led by senior quarterback Kamren Heimsness, marched down the field and able to rush it in got the touchdown. The extra point would be blocked, keeping the score at 13-0, Taylorville.
The defense made sure it would stay that way, too, with an interception by defensive back Gage Rusher.
“It was so exciting,” Rusher said. “I have been wanting one of those and finally got it.”
Excitement is the word on everyone’s mind post game.
“Really excited to see where we go, to watch us grow and to see the fights we put up each and every week,” Heimsness said.
The senior QB, who was enjoying Friday night’s win, but already planning for next week.
Taylorville starts the season the way they hoped to with a record of 1-0.
The Tornadoes will take on St. Edward next week on the road. The varsity away game is to be held next Saturday at 1:00 p.m.