Collinsville High School scored on the first offensive play of the game for Belleville East Friday, but that “2” remained on the scoreboard until there were only eight minutes left in a game the Kahoks lost 24-8.
The safety came on the Lancers (2-1 overall, 1-0 Southwestern Conference) first official snap of the game when senior linebacker Cody Reynolds knifed through the Lancer defense and tackled junior wide receiver Donte Walker three yards deep in the end zone. It was the fourth time East had attempted a snap. Penalties nullified the first three snaps, with Collinsville (1-2 overall, 0-1 Southwestern Conference) responsible for one.
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Yardage and points were scarce in the first quarter, but penalties were not, as the teams combined for seven. At times in the quarter it appeared that committing penalties was the way to win. When the teams jogged off the field for halftime, Collinsville had outpointed the Lancers 8-4 in penalties committed.
Belleville East did not get a first down in the first quarter, while only surrendering one, but they erupted for a 17 point second. Junior running back Demarius Ward sparked the Lancers on the opening drive of the quarter when he broke multiple tackles as he scampered for 23 of his 29 first-half yards on a single play. Senior running back Jaecob Cotton carried the ball on the next two plays, punching it in from two yards to give the Lancers a lead they would never relinquish.
The Lancers added a 22-yard field goal on their next possession. A, perhaps questionable pass interference call, and a 24-yard pitch and catch from senior quarterback Ryan McDonald to senior tight end Cortez Holman had the ball at the Kahoks’ 5-yard-line. The defense stiffened and forced the field goal attempt.
Any momentum Collinsville may have gained with the defensive stand was quickly surrendered when senior quarterback Connor Zabala through a pass up for grabs deep on his own side of the field. Sophomore defensive back Shamar Welch settled under the pass at the 35, wound through the Kahoks, and scored a touchdown as time ran out on the clock, giving the Lancers a 17-2 lead at the half and 10 points scored in the final 31 seconds.
Despite the score, Collinsville held Belleville East to only 21 rushing and 47 passing yards in the first half. The Lancers had more success moving the ball in the second half.
On the first drive after halftime, Ward had more runs for positive yards than he did in the first half (5-4). McDonald’s two completions equaled his total for the first half. The Kahoks’ defense stiffened, however, forcing a turnover on downs at their own 30.
After a Collinsville punt, Ward again provided an offensive spark when he broke two tackles in the backfield, reversed course and gained 24 yards. McDonald later found senior wide receiver Parker Hendricks for a 23-yard touchdown with 33 seconds remaining in the third.
The Kahoks scored their only touchdown of the night on the next possession when Zabala and senior wide receiver Luke McNamara combined for a 29-yard touchdown. The two- point conversion attempt failed.
Collinsville recovered the ensuing onside kick and appeared to have converted on a fourth down pass, but it was ruled incomplete. To Collinsville Head Coach John Blaylock, it appeared to be a completion.
“We thought we made that catch,” Blaylock said. “But we didn’t, as far as the game is concerned.” The failed conversion essentially ended the game.
Despite the one-sided score, Blaylock said his team did not play poorly. “I think we played a decent football game against a very, very good football team in East,” Blaylock said.
Both teams played well defensively, Blaylock said. “Our defense gave them all they wanted and their defense game us more than we wanted,” Blaylock said.
The Kahoks offense struggled after putting up big numbers in their first two games. Junior running back Jamal Wellmaker rushed for 39 yards on 12 carries and junior fullback Jordan Miller managed only 40 yards on 12 carries. The team totaled 103 yards rushing after rushing for over 400 yards in their first game and 221 last week.
“Our O-line was somewhat questionable in the decisions they made. We couldn’t get Wellmaker established and our other wing (junior Devin Burch) is favoring a leg, so we weren’t quite as balanced as we like to be,” Blaylock said. “They decided they were going to line up and take Miller away in the middle, and they did a really good job of that.”
The Kahoks return to Kahok Stadium at 7 p.m. Friday to play Granite City. The Warriors are 1-2 on the season and 0-1 in the Southwestern Conference after falling 48-7 to Belleville West Friday.
Kahoksports.com will stream the game live, beginning with the pre-game show at 6:40.
