PECATONICA – The battle between a pair of undefeated NUIC teams did not pan out Friday night.
A steady rainfall and a speedy Missile defense grounded Pecatonica’s passing attack, and led by quarterback Kirk Engelkens’ arm and legs, Milledgeville rolled over the Indian hosts 28-6. Engelkens rushed for 174 yards and a touchdown and threw for 72 more with a TD pass as the No. 3-ranked (Class 1A) Missiles stayed on track.
It wasn’t pretty at times, Engelkens pointed out, but after seven fumbles (three recovered by their opponents) and 13 penalties for 115 yards, Milledgeville was just happy to get out of muddy Pec with a win.
“We were not prepared for this much rain. The linemen like these kind of games, but not us guys who have to hold onto the ball,” Engelkens said. “It was slippery, muddy; it was tough. It wasn’t our best, but we did escape with a win.”
Pecatonica gave up a total of eight points in its first two games, but were scorched for 28 in the first quarter plus one play. Milledgeville scored its fourth touchdown – a 20-yard strike through the downpour from Engelkens to Nate Ebersole – on the first play of the second quarter, and that was more than it would need.
The Missiles maintained the 22-point edge throughout the scoreless second half. Pecatonica’s Logan Sanders recovered a fumble on the Indians own one-yard-line to halt a late Missile drive, but the Pec offense could not penetrate Milledgeville’s red zone (inside the 20) throughout the third or fourth quarters.
“The rain plays a part, but you have to give Milledgeville credit. They played well, and we didn’t,” Pec head coach Brett Frederick said. “We have to find a way to regroup, and put this one behind us. Luckily, we have a long way to go.”
Junior running back Dean Holeton scampered for a 65-yard touchdown on Pec’s first play from scrimmage, cutting the quick Missile advantage to 8-6. But Holeton gained just 15 more yards the rest of the way, and the Indians finished with 96 yards rushing and 15 yards through the air for the game.
Staff reporter Jay Taft can be reached at 815-987-1384 or jtaft@rrstar.com.
- Jay Taft, rrstar.com
