The Kewanee Boilermakers will be looking to build on last week’s season opening 28-21 win over Sherrard when they host the Erie-Prophetstown Panthers tonight at Kewanee High School Stadium. Opening kick-off is set for 7 pm.
Expectations this season are high for Coach Matt Taylor’s experienced squad that boasts nine seniors and 16 juniors. Last season two of those seniors, Brady Clark (defensive back) and Blake Johnston (lineman) were accorded All-TRAC East second-team (Defense) honors.
A now seasoned veteran, Clark is once again the Boilers starting play caller. Last week the KHS offense was clicking on all cylinders against the Tigers, racking up 423 total yards and moving the chains for 21 first downs.
Coach Taylor praised his team’s offensive line for their efforts. “They did a great job of blocking and opening holes for our offense,” he added. Shoring up the line were junior Brayden Conley; the senior guard tandem of Jackson Hawkins and Corbin Powers; senior tackles, Dan Boswell and Leo Gandarilla; and junior tight end, Brady Schiltz.
Last week six Boilermakers carried the ball 47 times for 302 yards. Kewanee’s fleet-footed quarterback, Clark, ran for 121 of those yards. He also scored on runs of five and 37 yards. Junior Alex Duarte tallied 94 yards on 15 carries. He also ran in a two-point conversion and scored one of KHS’s two fourth-quarter TD’s. Senior Cruz Paredes scampered 46 yards on three carries.
One of Clark’s receiving targets was junior Ben Taylor, who hauled in five catches for 62 yards and one touchdown. Junior Davontae Jordan had two catches for 43 yards.
Tonight’s crossover opponent, Erie-Prophetstown, suffered a week one 26-7 loss at the hands of Bureau Valley. The Panthers are coming off a 2022 record of 4-5 and 1-4 in conference play.
Although optimistic, the Boilers know navigating the tough Three Rivers – Mississippi Conference will have its challenges. Four of their upcoming opponents qualified for last year’s playoffs (Princeton, Hall/Putnam County, Monmouth-Roseville and Sterling Newman).
Princeton (#1 in 3A) made an extended run through last year’s playoffs before losing to Elmhurst Immaculate Conception in the 3A quarterfinals, 37-12. The Boilers will take on the Princeton Tigers during week seven action.
The KHS Riveters came out on the winning end of a hard-fought 12-6 game against the Sherrard frosh-soph team and are 1-0.
