EUREKA, IL - The Prairie Fire shut down the Eureka Red Devils en route to a 16-0 win in the Lincoln Bowl, season opener, and Coach Gonzaga debut.
Isaiah Liptac was all over the field throughout the Lincoln Bowl, making plays up the middle and outside the tackles, racking up 13 total tackles.
Karter Krutsinger, freshman quarterback, manned the offense, throwing for 84 yards and rushing for 74, capped off with a pair of rushing touchdowns.
Chase Lucas aided in the run game with 66 yards of his own, averaging just over four yards per carry.
Mario Byrd was Krutsinger's favorite target throughout the night with 52 yards receiving on four receptions.
Marcus Carter made a huge catch on third and long in the opening drive, leading to a Knox field goal.
Knox marched down the field at the end of the first quarter and powered the ball into the endzone on the first play of the second quarter on a Krutsinger quarterback sneak.
Up 9-0 starting the second half, the Prairie Fire were looking to make a statement, and the defense did just that. Knox forced a fumble and
Aaron Estes jumped on it at the two yard line, setting the offense up in a prime position.
Eureka's defense held strong on the goalline and kept Knox out of the endzone, holding on to their nine point deficit.
The next Red Devil drive was ended short as well, when
Jalen Brown stepped in front of a pass. Intercepting it and returning the ball 22 yards down to the Eureka eight yard line.
Just two plays later, Krutsinger fought his way into the endzone again to give Knox a 16-0 lead.
With just over nine minutes left to play, the Red Devils needed two scores. The Knox defense continued their dominance for the remainder of the Lincoln Bowl and secured the trophy's trip back to Galesburg with a 16-0 win in the season opener.
Abdul Bangura was a force to handle, coming off the edge forcing plenty of quarterback hurries and tallying 10 total tackles.
The Prairie Fire defense held Eureka to 91 rushing yards and just 34 through the air. The Red Devils were only able to move the chains seven times throughout the night.
Coach Gonzaga picked up his first win as a part of the Prairie Fire program and Knox improved to 1-0. They will be back in action next Saturday at home when they take on Lake Forest at 1:00 p.m. at the Knosher Bowl.
