By Jake Fogal
EUREKA – A conference title was on the line in Woodford County in Week 8 as the 7-0(5-0) Eureka Hornets hosted the 6-1(5-0) Tri-Valley Vikings.
The game began with fireworks as the Vikings pounced on a fumble on the opening kickoff of the contest. Tri-Valley took the lead off of the turnover as quarterback Cole Klein found the end zone on a short run.
Both teams showed out on the defensive side of the ball in the first quarter, as Eureka’s Ben Lapp snagged an interception on the third drive of the game. The Hornets were unable to put points on the board following the change in possession.
Klein showed off his speed early in the second quarter, sprinting for a 40-yard touchdown to give the Vikings a two touchdown lead. Eureka got on the scoreboard off an Austin Gerber scramble inside the five yard line, but the Hornets could not convert on the extra point.
Special team’s continued to play a big role for Tri-Valley, as Cade Danko took the momentum back with an 80-yard return to give the Vikings a 22-6 lead at halftime.
Danko added another touchdown to the scoring column for the Vikings in the third quarter, before Gerber connected with wide receiver Andrew Zimmerman to take the score to 29-12 heading into the final quarter.
Neither team was able to put points on the board in the fourth quarter, which gave the Vikings a 29-12 win.
Tri-Valley Head Coach Josh Roop and Lanz Underground Player of the Game Cade Danko spoke with WJBC’s Eric Lapan following the game.
The Vikings are the first ever HOCIC Large School Division champions as the conference was merged during the 2024 offseason.
Other final scores throughout Central Illinois in Week 8:
(7-1) Peoria 44-28 Bloomington (6-2)
(7-1) Normal Community 49-6 Champaign Centennial (4-4)
(6-2) U-High 51-6 Springfield Southeast (1-7)
(5-3) Central Catholic 28-3 Peru St. Bede (1-7)
(6-2) Normal West 62-7 Champaign Central (2-6)
(4-4) Dee-Mack 38-20 Clinton (4-4)
(7-1) Monticello 28-13 Prairie Central (4-4)
(5-3) Central A&M 35-14 Heyworth (2-6)
(5-3) El-Paso Gridley 48-0 Tremont (0-8)
(5-3) Tuscola 43-0 Fieldcrest (1-7)
(2-6) IVC 34-13 Pontiac (0-8)
(7-1) Quincy Notre Dame 54-12 Lincoln (4-4)
(8-0) LeRoy 34-13 GCMS (7-1) *LeRoy clinches the HOCIC Small School Conference Title with the win over GCMS
(5-3) Olympia 51-14 Pleasant Plains (2-5)
The following teams have clinched a playoff berth with six wins or more. Bloomington, Normal Community, U-High, Normal West, LeRoy, Eureka, GCMS, Tri-Valley.
Central Catholic, El-Paso Gridley and Olympia are both playoff-eligible with five wins on the season. One week remains in the regular season.
The High School Football Extravaganza is sponsored by CEFCU.
Jake Fogal can be reached at [email protected].
