The Eureka Junior High Tornado football team completed their season last Thursday, Oct. 17 in a 0-36 loss to the Cherryvale Chargers. The Chargers, who were undefeated, won the league title with their victory. Eureka finished its season with a record of 4-3.
The game started poorly for the Tornadoes as they turned the ball over on downs on their first possession. They were perhaps intimidated by Cherryvale’s size and took a while to acclimate to the game. Cherryvale took possession and promptly scored, converting the point after for an 8-0 lead.
The Tornadoes settled down and put together a drive that stalled in Charger territory. Their defense then forced a Charger turnover. The Tornadoes were unable to drive the ball and Cherryvale scored again on a long pass that the Charger receiver plucked out of the air over the well-positioned Tornado defender. Again, the Tornadoes drove the ball but a pass from Tate Scott to Maddox Hughes for a sure touchdown was just inches from completion. A Eureka fumble, followed by a Charger fumble, then another stalled drive by the Tornadoes led to the Charger’s final touchdown of the half and another successful conversion. This made the half time score 0-24.
Cherryvale scored on their first drive of the second half with power runs that the smaller Tornadoes could not stop. The Tornadoes played their younger kids for much of the second half which led to the relatively easy Charger final touchdown. The teams exchanged fumbles to end the game. Overall, it was a great Tornado effort after the first quarter, but the hole they dug was too deep.
The Tornadoes say goodbye to 16 eighth graders as they prepare to retool.
In junior high volleyball action, the Lady Tornadoes fell in all four matches. A-team fell 18-25 and 2325. Eureka’s B-team fell 10-25 and 8-25. In C-team action, the Lady Tornadoes fell 15-25 and 17-25. Eureka’s D-team fell 11-25 and 21-25.
