The Eureka Junior High Tornadoes lost to the Neodesha Bluestreaks 1248 last Thursday night at McGinnis Field in Eureka. The Tornadoes just weren’t quick or fast enough to compete with the Neodesha squad.
Eureka received the opening touchdown but was unable to move the ball. The Bluestreaks closed quickly on the Tornado runners and receivers and prevented them from making a first down. After turning the ball over on downs, the Tornadoes gave up a long touchdown pass to the Streaks. The conversion failed but Neodesha led 6-0.
The second possession for the Tornadoes played out like the first, moving the ball a bit but unable to get big chunks due to the superior speed of Neodesha. After turning the ball over on downs, the Tornadoes gave up a 50-yard touchdown run. Again, the conversion failed but the Tornadoes trailed 12-0.
The Tornadoes moved the ball well when they got it back due to some very hard running by eighth grader Jameson Stewart. The 73yard drive culminated in a 3-yard touchdown plunge by Stewart. The conversion failed, but the Tornadoes had halved the lead 6-12. Any momentum gained by the Tornadoes was lost on the ensuing kickoff however, as they promptly gave up a touchdown on the return. This conversion was successful and Neodesha stretched the lead to 20-6.
Unable to move the ball on their next two possessions, and unable to stop the Bluestreaks on theirs, the Tornadoes went into halftime down 6-32. Neodesha opened the second half with the ball on their own 44-yard line. They rushed once for four yards, then hit a 52-yard touchdown pass. While the Tornadoes were not fooled by the play, the Neodesha receivers simply out-ran the Tornado defenders. The conversion was successful, making the score 40-6 and initiating the running clock. In a matchup of younger players from both squads, featuring fumbles by both and touchdowns by both, the second half went quickly. Hard running by seventh grader Maddox Hughes and a touchdown dive by seventh grader Cash Escareno were highlights of this half.
The Tornadoes play Cherryvale this Thursday night at home, then finish their season the following week at Bluestem. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. for both games.
