The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
by: Mike Rodeffer, The Quill
The Illini West Chargers traveled to Havana last Friday night to take on the Havana Ducks, a conference foe.
The Chargers received the ball first and drove about 30 yards on 6 plays and then fumbled the ball away. The Charger defense held Havana to 4 yards on 3 plays and forced a punt.
On Illini West's next possession Nick Voorhies ran 16 yards to mid field on their first play. Havana's defense stopped the Chargers cold and forced an IW punt.
The Charger defense allowed 1 first down and then came up big on a 4th and less than 1 yard to get the ball back at the Ducks' 40 yard line. This time the Chargers used their ground game of Michael Lord and Nick Voorhies. Aided by two Havana penalties the Chargers took 5 rushing plays to score. Voorhies ran the first 3 yards for the TD. Colton Sargent ran the 2 point conversion in and with less than 2 minutes left in the 1st quarter, the Chargers led 8-0.
On the next Havana possession, the IW defense came up big again. On the 3rd down Colton Sargent intercepted a pass to put the ball on the Ducks 35 yard line.
On 4 consecutive run plays, Voorhies ran for 16, 3, and 5 yards and Michael Lord scored on an 11 yard run. Voorhies ran the extra point in and IW now led 16-0.
The Illini West defense again was put to the test. Havana connected on 2 pass plays and pushed the ball to mid-field. The Chargers defense held and got the ball back on their own 49 yard line. Lord ran for 5 yards and then 40 yards down to the 6 yard line. After a Havana penalty Lord went the last 3 yards for his second touchdown. QB Jackson Porter tossed the extra point attempt to Lord for a 24-0 lead.
Havana would be stopped again and a faked punt and run would not pick up a first down. IW would lose their second fumble to Havana on the next play. On Havana's 3rd play, IW's Kennedy Gooding would intercept a pass and carry it for their 4th touchdown in the half. Sargent ran the 2 point conversion in and IW now led 32-0.
Havana would fight back and get to the IW 35 yard line. 3 good pass plays and Havana had their 1st touchdown with just 1:07 left in the half. Havana kicked the extra point and half time score stood at 32-7.
On the 1st possession for Havana in the second half, the Ducks would move the ball into IW territory. IW defense would stiffen and on 4th and 7, IW's Trapper Benjamin would intercept a pass and give IW the ball at the Ducks 42 yard line.
Voorhies would gain 9 yards, Lord would pick up 16 and 7 yards and Voorhies would gain 4 more yards. Sargent would run in the final 6 yards for the touchdown. QB Porter would pass for the 2-point conversion to Lincoln Gooding to up the score to 40-7.
IW defense stopped Havana again on a 4th down near mid-field. The IW offense would take over. After losing 1 yard Lord ran 3 consecutive plays with gains of 7, 12, and 7 yards. Voorhies would run 17 yards for yet another IW touchdown. 2 point conversion was good and IW led 48-7.
Unofficially, Voorhies ran for 137 yards on 18 carries, Lord ran for 117 yards on 13 carries. Voorhies and Lord each scored 2 touchdowns. Sargent also had a 6 yard rushing touchdown. Porter was 2 for 6 passing for 39 yards.
Next Friday, October 13th, the Chargers travel to Rushville with a game time at 7:00 p.m.
Final regular game will be Friday, October 20th, at Carthage at 7:00 p.m.