By Joe Harris, Special to the Post-Dispatch
EUREKA -- John Berry finally found the end zone.
Eureka's junior linebacker had a team-high two interceptions heading into Friday's nonconference football game against Rockwood rival Summit. Each time, he was stopped short of the coveted pick-6.
It wasn't a pick-6, but it was an equally impressive 79-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown that stopped the game opening drive for Summit and swung the momentum Eureka's way.
"I just saw my boys had him wrapped up in a pile, so I figured I'd try to make the most opportunity and strip the ball out," Berry said. "That was one of our emphasis all week, was turnovers. We don't think we've gotten enough of them."
Eureka never looked back in a 36-7 win, with all the scoring coming in the first half.
That the Wildcats defense would set the tone should come as no surprise. The unit is a big reason why Eureka, No. 2 in the STLhighschoolsports.com large school rankings, is off to a 6-0 start for the second time in three seasons.
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Eureka allows just over six points a game and has allowed just 17 total points in its last four games.
"Those down linemen don't get a lot of love, but, man, there are some special kids up there," Eureka coach Jacob Sumner said. "And, you know, our linebackers, DBs, I mean, the way that they're all operating and putting it all together, the game plans and the effort level that you're seeing, and the execution level you're seeing is, is the thing of beauty."
The Wildcats had five sacks and forced an intentional grounding penalty.
Jack McMillen, Jake Ollar, Jack Albert and Jaeger Funk were consistently creating havoc against Summit (4-2).
"We were just together all summer," Berry said. "We have a really good bond with each other, we all just want it so much. We're all so close."
Getting offensive
Eureka's first four drives of the game ended in the Summit end zone.
Wildcats rushers averaged over 8 yards a carry, totaling 137 yards on 17 carries. Trevor Codak did most of the damage with 111 yards on nine carries. He had a pair of running touchdowns with a 30-yarder in the first quarter and a 43-yard burst midway through the second quarter that gave the Wildcats a 27-7 lead.
Eureka quarterback Casey Hobelmann didn't need to throw it much in the first half, but was extremely effective and efficient when he did, going 4 for 6 passing for 79 yards. Craig Ringe had three catches for 73 yards in the first half, including touchdown grabs up 39 and 15 yards in the first and second quarters, respectively.
"Go out there and execute," Hobelmann said. "That's really all you got to do with our type of offense and we did just that. Our interior played amazing."
Eureka's special teams added a blocked punt for a safety to help make it 36-7 at halftime.
"We got such great young men come out each week, trying to challenge themselves to get better, and you know, just the love that they show for one another and how they carry themselves is a pretty neat thing to witness when we step out here at 7 o'clock," Sumner said.
Falcons take advantage
Summit's lone score in the first half was a beautiful 19-yard touchdown pass from Blane Branscum to Jasahn Tiller, who made a diving catch in the end zone early in the second quarter. The score came three plays after the Falcons recovered a muffed punt return in Eureka territory.
"We just missed so many big plays," Summit coach Eric Stewart said. "There were things that were there and we drop it, or we just miss it, or didn't read it, or miss a block. This little stuff against a good team isn't going to make you successful and they are a pretty darn good team."
The Wildcats beat the Falcons for the second consecutive season in the first regular-season meeting between the programs since 2009.
Special honors
Hobelmann, Jack Lange, Ralph Gianino V and Blake Ashby were awarded the Andy Bedo Award following the game.
Bedo was a member of the 1995 Wildcats who died of a brain aneurysm shortly after a game. Every year on homecoming, a group of seniors are given the Andy Bedo Award for their contributions to the program.
"It's just unbelievable," Hobelmann said. "And I thank my coaches for trusting me, and it's the best thing in the world."
Up next
Summit: Hosts Ladue at 7 p.m. Thursday. It will be the first meeting between the two programs since November 15, 2019.
Eureka: Travels to Lafayette at 7 p.m. Oct. 11. The Lancers beat the Wildcats 28-21 last season.
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