Romeo defeats Eisenhower for share of MAC Red lead
Friday night was all about striving to make family and community proud when Romeo played host to Eisenhower in its annual Watchdog football game.
Bulldog players jerseys featured the name of a friend or family member who has been affected by cancer.
“All week we talked about playing for the names on our back and for the community,” Romeo coach Curt Rienas said. “Our goal was to inspire others when they watch the game”
Romeo didn’t disappoint, forcing Eisenhower into four turnovers and walking away with an emotional 20-14 MAC Red Division victory.
“Those turnovers were forced by Romeo,” Eisenhower coach Chris Smith said. “They came ready to play. They outplayed us, and had a very emotional game. It’s tough to play against a team that’s playing in full emotion. Our kids got a big lesson in humility from a good Romeo team.”
Romeo opened the scoring on a 41-yard field goal by Joseph Celaj on the opening drive of the game.
The score stayed that way until late in the second quarter when Romeo’s Dereon Foster intercepted an Eagle pass and returned it to the Eisenhower 19 with 30 seconds left. He added a second interception in the second half.
“Dereon Foster had a great game tonight,” Rienas said. “He’s a kid who didn’t play last year, but worked hard and it paid off.”
On the final play of the half, Bulldog QB Kaden Burroughs scored on a 2-yard quarterback sneak, giving the Bulldogs a 10-0 halftime lead.
“We called a different play and the kids in the huddle said we got this,” Rienas said. “Sometimes you have to put it in the kids’ hands. They’re the ones out there doing it.”
Eisenhower cut the lead to 10-7 on a 16-yard touchdown pass from Preston Crum to Bryce Hurley, before Romeo answered with a Burroughs TD strike to Brody Meier covering 33 yards, making the score 17-7 in the final minute of the third quarter.
A 31-yard field goal by Celaj pushed the Romeo edge to 20-7 before Eisenhower answered with a 3-yard score by Kamari Charles with 6:22 to play.
“We had a couple of chances, but we didn’t make the big plays when we had to,” Smith said. “The last three weeks we made those big plays and tonight we didn’t. Romeo’s pressure was really getting to us. We didn’t have an answer for that.”
The Bulldog defense preserved the win as Alex Kelley intercepted a pass with 2:05 left and Romeo closed out the win from there.
“There were guys all over the place tonight that really stepped up,” Rienas said. “It wasn’t a oneman show. There were a bunch of guys who made impact plays.”
Burroughs led Romeo, completing 10-of-19 passes for 125 yards, and rushed for another 28 yards on seven carries.
“He made a couple big plays where he pulled the ball in crucial times,” Rienas said. “He did what he’s supposed to do.”
Victor Earl added 94 yards