The season ended for the Eureka Tornadoes football team last Thursday, Oct. 31 in a heartbreaking fashion. The 36-40 loss to the Riverton Rams was full of excitement and momentum swings. The Tornadoes were tied 6-6 at the end of the first quarter thanks to a touchdown pass and catch from Peyton Hare to TJ Mills. Mills would add another touchdown in the second quarter on a 90-yard kick return followed by a successful 2 point conversion by Kalim Mouer.
When the Tornadoes went into half down 1427, the team knew that they needed a big second half. In the second half the Tornado offense started to get its footing. Hare would connect with Tanner Biering for two touchdowns in the second half and even scramble for a touchdown run. Yet, with 1:16 on the scoreboard in the final quarter, the Tornadoes gave away the ball all but ensuring the end of their season.
The Tornado leaders in the game were Hare with 77 rushing yards with one touchdown, 10 for 21 through the air for 158 yards, 3 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Mills had 80 rushing yards, 48 yards receiving 1 touchdown, 113 return yards 1 touchdown. Laken Valentine had 56 yards receiving; Tanner Biering had 39 yards receiving and 2 touchdowns.
The Tornado defense forced two big turnovers throughout the game and were led by Valentine, who had 8 solo tackles, 2 tackles for loss & 1 forced fumble. Noah Rippy was all over the field with 18 total tackles, once again showing he is the heartbeat of the Tornado defense. Braden Grimmet also had 10 total tackles and a forced fumble and a pass deflection. Hare would tally 5 solo tackles and a fumble recovery. Mouer would recover the other fumble caused and added 7 total tackles.
“I could not be more proud of how this group of boys changed this program in just 1 season,” stated head coach Jonah McKee. “To go from 1-8 to 6-3 wasn’t a stroke of luck, it’s a testament to the commitment and work that these kids put in over the offseason. This team brought a level of pride back to the program and really laid the groundwork for future years to follow,” he concluded.
