The Kewanee Boilermakers scored early and often Friday night during their 41-0 home win over Mendota.
The Boilers scored four TD’s in the first half, but just as impressive was their defensive play.
After beating Erie-Prophetstown last week 28-0, Kewanee’s defense once again dominated the line of scrimmage and recorded their second straight shutout win. The Boilers remain undefeated at 3-0 and 1-0 in TRAC-Mississippi play, while Mendota falls to 0-3 and 0-1 on the season.
On Kewanee’s first possession of the game, Alex Duarte took the handoff from Braden Clark and turned up the field for a 24-yard run to the Mendota 37. On the ensuing play, Clark threaded a pass to Davontae Jordan over the middle and Jordan ran in the 37-yard TD. Clark’s PAT kick was good for the early 7-0 KHS lead.
After forcing a second Mendota punt, Kewanee took possession and moved the ball to midfield at their own 49. Clark then took the snap from the shotgun and followed his blockers through a gaping hole, eluding several Mendota players and running 51 yards to paydirt. Clark tacked on another PAT kick to round out the first quarter scoring, 14-0.
KHS junior workhorse Ben Taylor came up big in the second quarter. First, Clark threw a nice pass just over Taylor’s shoulder and Taylor hauled it in with one arm for a 29-yard gainer to the Mendota 43. A couple plays later, Taylor took the handoff and swept to the left side and then reversed and ran to the right. He was knocked out of bounds just short of the goal line.
The 37-yard run by Taylor set up a 2-yard TD by Cruz Paredes. Clark’s PAT kick counted and the Boiler’s lead grew to 21-0 with 4:40 left in the half.
The KHS defense forced another Mendota punt, setting up another scoring opportunity for the Boilers. Paredes took the hand off from Clark and crossed midfield for a gain of 18 on the play. Duarte and Taylor then had gains of 8 and 15 on the ground and we’re now at Mendota’s 18.
Jordan caught a short pass and ran to the 3-yard line. Peterson ran it in from the one and scored the first varsity TD of his career. Clark’s fourth PAT kick was good and the Boilers held a 28-0 halftime lead.
The Trojans’ second half opening kickoff went out of bounds at the 50 yard line. Duarte had another big run up the middle and down to Mendota’s 22, for a gain of 28 yards. Clark then completed a pass to Taylor who was brought down at the 11.
Junior Greyden Lewis ran one in to tack on another KHS touchdown. The PAT kick was good and the Kewanee lead grew to 35-0.
Junior quarterback Landon Sheets entered the game for the Boilers with 8:35 left in the third quarter. Mendota recovered a KHS fumble, but the Trojans weren’t able to capitalize and they were once again forced to punt.
The Boilers marched upfield and Sheets ran a 29-yard keeper from midfield down to the Mendota 16. Senior Landon Mason finished off the drive with a spin move and TD run from 6 yards out. Tyler Johnston’s PAT kick failed, but the Boilers went on to win 41-0.
