Lancers Get Football Bragging Rights Over Wildcats

Size and speed:  That was the difference between and Schools on the warm Friday night that kicked off the 2011-2012 football season. From Eureka’s first possession, Lafayette was on a mission. After being shutout in last year’s contest, it’s safe to say the Lafayette team wanted a bit of revenge, and from the first snap that was apparent.

After forcing Eureka into a quick three and out on their first possession of the game, Lafayette drove down the field, spurred by a 20-yard reception to William Dupont. Deonte Robinson eventually punched the ball into the endzone giving Lafayette a lead they would never relinquish.

However the game was far from over. Eureka responded with a touchdown of their own on the next drive. After the drive nearly stalled out, Eureka faked a punt, which resulted in big yards for Aaron Schnurbusch. Eureka eventually scored on a Spencer Stein touchdown.

The two schools exchanged blows for the next two quarters. Lafayette controlled the game, but never could keep Eureka at more than an arm’s length. However the lead was extended at the start of the second half when Deonte Robinson turned a broken kick off play into a touchdown. After fumbling and moving to his right Robinson saw no daylight. This is where the speed comes in. Robinson stopped on a dime, turned back left and found the room for which he was looking. With a blocker in front of him, Robinson burned Eureka for a 92-yard score.

If speed had its moment, size was the story of the night. Tight End Brock Behrndt and Full Back John Voit dominated the Eureka defense all night. Both players, well taller than 6 feet and 200 pounds were by far the biggest forces on the field. Despite Behrndt’s size, he was more than willing to show a little grace, at one point hauling in a remarkable catch for a touchdown.

Lafayette’s offense paced the game, but Eureka refused to go quietly into the night. The Wildcats scratched and clawed their way back into the game in part from the efforts of Spencer Stein and Seth Pratt. Stein, Eureka’s All Conference running back, was handed the ball often and made a habit of gobbling up yards.

The fourth quarter saw Lafayette try and pull away, but Eureka was not willing to cooperate. After taking a 35-21 lead, Lafayette seemed in control. On cue, Eureka forced a few defensive stops and got their offense working. The deficit was eventually narrowed to 35-28 after Pratt completed touchdown pass to cap off an impressive drive. Eureka was threatening again when Aaron Schnurbusch fumbled in Lafayette territory.

However Eureka was given one last chance with about two minutes to play in the fourth quarter. The drive seemed to have stalled multiple times but with two seconds left, Eureka found themselves just inside Lafayette territory, down a score. On the last play of the game, with two seconds left, Spencer Pratt heaved the ball downfield, miraculously finding a receiver. The Lafayette secondary raced to catch the Eureka receiver and they did, just barely. With zero seconds on the clock the Eureka wide out was forced out at the two yard line, ending a heart pounding drive, and game with a score of Lafayette 35, Eureka 28.

The crowd at Lafayette High School was raucous to say the least. The stands were full, the parking lots were full, the neighborhoods around the high school were full. The neighbors might have cared had they not been at the game. Everyone was at this game, and the crowd certainly enjoyed a close contest between the rivals, Eureka and Lafayette.