Collinsville marched down the field on their opening drive Friday, picking up first downs and the confidence an underdog team needs.
The Kahoks used the clock and, the run-heavy team that has struggled to throw the ball all year, completed both pass attempts on the drive. The team was executing the offense the way Head Coach John Blaylock wants, and had the 5th ranked Class 7A team in the state on their heels.
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The drive stalled deep in Edwardsville territory and the Kahoks (1-4 overall, 0-3 Southwestern Conference) lined up for a short field goal attempt. That is when things fell apart. Senior kicker Josh Calvin’s attempt was blocked and Edwardsville never looked back.
The Tigers (5-0 overall, 3-0 SWC) took over with 6:52 remaining in the first quarter and, in a drive aided by three Kahoks offside penalties, quickly drove downfield for the first of their four first-half touchdowns. The Tigers went on to a 48-0 victory.
Even when things seemed to go well for Collinsville, the Tigers found a way to get the momentum back in their favor. A fourth and 10 became a first and five on a Kahoks offside call. A first down came, and then a touchdown.
A pass from Sophomore Quarterback Dan Marinko went in the hands of a Kahoks defender, but the ball was ripped free before he could fully control it. The drive ended in another Tiger touchdown.
With 2 minutes and 2 seconds left in the first, Collinsville picked off Marinko to stop an Edwardsville drive for the first time. The drive stalled with just over one minute remaining in the half. The ensuing punt was returned 58 yards to the Kahoks’ 32 and the Tigers scored their fourth touchdown of the half with 18 seconds remaining. The point after attempt hooked wide left, marking one of the few mistakes Edwardsville made.
Any hopes the Kahoks had of making an improbable second half comeback were dashed in the first 21 seconds of the half, which is how long it took Edwardsville senior Craig James to take the opening kick off sideline to
sideline on the way to a goal line to goal line, 99 yard return for a touchdown.
The Tigers added a punt return for a touchdown and a 33-yard touchdown run to close out the convincing victory.
“That’s what it looks like when you’ve been in the weight room for four years versus being in the weight room for seven months,” Blaylock said. “I told our guys we’re going to learn a lot of lessons from this game…having a little bit more attention to detail, understand that steps count. A step here or a step there is a big difference in a football game.”
Collinsville will take another shot at their first conference victory when they host O’Fallon at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct.4 for homecoming.
