Collinsville made several lineup changes before their game against Alton Friday hoping for an offensive spark. Instead, they were plagued by the same issues that have limited them to a single victory this season.

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The Kahoks (0-6 Southwestern Conference, 1-7 overall) committed four turnovers and were unable to convert any of the four turnovers they forced into points. Alton (3-3 SWC, 4-4 overall) also blocked a field goal attempt in a 21-0 victory over Collinsville.

Head Coach John Blaylock said the difference in the game was simple.

“Offensively, we couldn’t keep a handle on the ball. We couldn’t catch balls that we need to catch,” Blaylock said. “Really, that sums up the game.”

The Redbirds wasted little time capitalizing on the first of three Kahoks’ fumbles. Alton marched downfield following a botched handoff attempt. Senior running back Keshon Young capped the drive with a 7-yard run, his first of two touchdowns. The extra point attempt failed.

It looked like Collinsville was going to take advantage of a fumbled punt late in the first quarter, but they coughed the ball up at the Alton 10-yard line. It was the second consecutive game that the Kahoks have lost a fumble at the 10 early in a tight ballgame.

Collinsville forced three turnovers on the ensuing drive, finally making the last one stick. A fumble recovery following an Alton 35-yard pass play was called back on a roughing the quarterback penalty. Senior cornerback Dennis Kress picked off a pass near the goal line, but was called for pass interference on the play, although it appeared the Redbird receiver tripped without assistance on the play. The drive ended when senior linebacker Brandon Fisher picked off junior quarterback Lavante Hobbs at the Kahoks’ 5-yard line.

Any momentum that could have been gained by the defensive stand quickly vanished when a 6-yard punt followed a three-and-out drive. The opportunistic Redbirds again pounced. Sophomore running back Justus Pedrero punched in a touchdown from the one and followed with a two-point conversion to give Alton a 14-0 lead.

As if the Kahoks were not having a hard-enough time, the CHS marching band stayed on the field too long at halftime, earning a delay of game penalty against Collinsville. The odd setback did not hurt the Kahoks, who forced a fumble on the opening drive of the second half.

Two third and 13 catches by senior quarterback-turned-wide receiver Connor Zabala, and a fourth down conversion by junior running back Jamal Wellmaker on the subsequent drive had Collinsville at the 17-yard line and ready to get back into the game. But the drive became another wasted opportunity.

Senior wide receiver Luke McNamara could not hold onto a ball that hit him in the hands with a wide-open path to the end zone. After the drive stalled, senior Josh Calvin’s 35-yard field goal attempt was blocked. The attempt had barely cleared Calvin’s foot before it was knocked down by the Alton defense.

Alton once again tried to get the Kahoks back in the game when they fumbled the ball at the Kahoks’ 24-yard-line on the ensuing drive. However, Collinsville lost a fumble on the next play.

The Redbirds did not miss another opportunity, marching downfield to score a game sealing touchdown. Young’s 1-yard run ended the scoring.

Collinsville ends their season with a 7 p.m. game Friday at East St. Louis. The game will be broadcast live on Kahoksports.com.