Week 8: Forreston vs GCMS

The Cards control all facets of the game in a dominating win over GCMS

Forreston - When the schedules were released this past summer, week 8 was a matchup that was circled on the calendar. That is because over the past 5 seasons Forreston has been a state power in Class 1A, while GCMS has been a state power in Class 2A. Let's also not forget that GCMS boasts Illinois bound running back Aidan Laughery, who has been an electrifying starter for the Falcons since his freshman year when the Falcons won the 2A championship over Maroa-Forsyth for the 2nd year in a row.

Unfortunately, Laughery was hurt in a week 1 loss to Carlinville, and has been out for the majority of the season. Add in additional injuries the Falcons have faced this season, and they haven't seen a healthy week yet. This game was an important one for GCMS to keep their playoff hopes alive.

It didn't take long for Forreston get things going, as Jacob Fiorello, Noah Johnson, Devonte King-Black, and Kaleb Sanders. The Cards had just crossed the 50 when Sanders broke loose down the left sideline for a 40 yard TD. The 2 point conversion failed, but the Cards were up 6-0 with 8:45 to go in the 1st quarter.

After forcing a punt the Cards went back on the warpath with an 86 yard drive. A big 28 yard run by Johnson pushed Forreston into GCMS territory. He would move the ball the final 4 yards as well for the score to give Forreston a 14-0 lead after Matthew Beltran scored the 2 point conversion with 1:06 left in the 1st quarter.

The next defensive series for the Cards saw Cole Becker come up with a fumble recovery at the GCMS 35 yard line. The Cards would get set up with a first and 10 from the 11 yard line, but the Falcon defense stood up to the challenge, including a big 4th and 1 stop at the 2 yard line as they stuffed Sanders for a 1 yard loss.

That effort was short lived by the Falcons as they were forced to punt from their own 23 yard line. The Cards started at the Falcon 46 yard line, and went back to Johnson for a big carry, while getting Beltran going as well. Fiorello capped off the drive with a 3 yard TD run with 2:26 left in the half to take a 20-0 lead into the break.

Things got interesting to start the 3rd quarter. Forreston forced GCMS to punt, but the ensuing punt hit a Forreston player and Tyler Cribbett jumped on it for the Falcons. The Cards continued to buckle down defensively, and forced another punt from the Forreston 47 yard line.

Forreston wouldn't have the ball long, as they fumbled the ball and Awstace Grauer picked it up for GCMS. In a weird exchange of events, just 30 seconds later GCMS would fumble the ball and Casey DeVries jumped on it for the Cards at the Falcon 38 yard line.

On the very first play Micah Nelson took the ball of tackle and down the right sidelines for a 31 yard TD run. Fiorello scored the 2 point conversion to give the Cards a 28-0 lead with 3:12 to play in the 3rd quarter.

On the very next possession, the Falcons would fumble the ball again. Kyler Ganz would pick it up this time for the Cards at the GCMS 27 yard line. Two plays later Devonte King-Black took the handoff up the middle and walked in for a 22 yard TD run. Logan Dyson connected with Becker for the 2 point conversion as Forreston had a 36-0 lead with 2:06 left in the 3rd quarter.

The Falcons would get the offense going a freshman quarterback Brayden Elliott took over the snaps and was able get some connections with Rylan Defries and Carter Kallal. Both Defries and Kallal would also move the ball on the ground, and Kallal would bookend the drive with an 8 yard TD run with 7:07 left in the game to make the score 36-7 after Seth Barnes kicked the PAT.

Forreston would fumble the ball away on their next drive as Altin Nettleton would fall on the ball for GCMS, but the drive would end on a turnover on downs.

Forreston would move the ball and run out the clock to put the finishing touches on the game and walk out with the 36-7 win.

Kellen DeSchepper went 9-15 passing for 56 yards. Brayden Elliott added 27 yards passing going 3-5 on the afternoon. Carter Kallal had 27 yards rushing with a TD, and added 12 yards receiving. Kellan Fanson hauled in 4 passes for 29 yards, and Tyler Cribbett picked up 22 yards rushing.

Forreston was paced by 75 yards rushing by Kaleb Sanders and a TD. Noah Johnson picked up 70 yards rushing with a score, while Devonte King-Black added 64 yards rushing and a score. Matthew Beltran rushed for 46 yards and Jacob Fiorello picked up 24 yards on the ground with a TD. Micah Nelson score a TD and finished the day with 37 yards on the ground.

GCMS (3-5) heads back home to finish the season with Heyworth (1-7).

Forreston (6-2) clinches a playoff spot and will head to play rival Lena-Winslow (7-1) with seeding on the line.