Tornadoes fall to Mattoon at EIU field, 12-9
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CHARLESTON — Taylorville punt returner Seth Hughes recieves a punt from Mattoon during their game on Friday night at O’Brien Stadium in Charleston, home of the EIU Panthers. The junior had a rushing touchdown in the game, but the Tornadoe’s came up short in the contest, 12-9.
Lucas Domonousky/Breeze-Courier Photo
Lucas Domonousky
Breeze-Courier Writer
On the road again this week for the Tornadoes. On a clear beautiful Friday night, football is back with some flair. The conference match being played in Charleston at the Eastern Illinois University football stadium. Very emotional game for Taylorville as they would just run out of time losing to the Mattoon Greenwave 12-9.
Speaking of emotions, that is what filled Head Coach Jeb Odam. Being back at his college alma mater to play yet another football game with his players and his son, freshman Baron Odam.
The Tornadoes kicked the ball off to begin the game. Taking their time Mattoon slowly crawled all the way down the field eventually punching it in but missing the extra point. This put the Greenwave up 6-0.
The Tornadoes first drive started out trying to run the ball and a screen pass. This drive ended up with Taylorville going three and out and punting the ball back to Mattoon.
The second half began with no shortage of penalties on both teams. Mattoon found themselves within their own 5-yard-line with the defense itching to make something happen. The center snapped the ball over the quarterbacks head resulting in a saftey for the Tornadoes. This gave Taylorville 2 points and the ball back around the 50 yard line. The Tornadoes still struggled getting things mov- ing and turn the ball back to Mattoon.
Attempting to give them- selves a more comfortable lead the Greenwave’s pre halftime push looked like it was going to be succesful until junior Kolin Albright picks the ball off within just a few yards before the goal line. The interception rolled the teams right into halftime and gave the momentum back to anyone who wanted to take it.
After the halftime break the Tornadoes senior Kobe Long made his presence felt. The wide out had 3 huge catches never quite finding the end zone but keeping Taylorville in it nonetheless.
Of course you cannot talk about the wide reciever and not talk about the quarter- back. Playing this game on his birthday, senior Kameren Heimsness was tested in this game. Never backing down from the challenge ahead of him and always trying to find a way to give his team life. The defense found them- selves playing from behind but kept up with the pace of Mattoon for most of the game. Needing a stop late in the third quarter they could not contain the Greenwave. Mattoon’s quarterback threw an 81-yard touchdown. Failing to connect on the extra point Mattoon extend- ed their lead to 12-2.
Needing to make some- thing happen quickly, Taylorville did exactly that. In only 2 plays the Tornadoes scored on a run by junior Seth Hughes. Cutting the score to just 12- 9. It was not enough with time running out and both sidelines getting extremely anxious the Mattoon Greenwave finished the game with a couple of first downs and a scramble to eat the clock. The victory belongs to the Mattoon Greenwave.
This loss makes it the Tornadoes first loss of the season giving them a 2-1 record on the season. Their Apollo Conferece record is 0- 1. Taylorville’s next game will be on the road Friday, Sept. 17, at Mt. Zion. Kickoff will be at 7:00 p.m.
