Football Recap: Pleasant Plains Takes a Loss

Pleasant Plains lost against Maroa-Forsyth back in September of 2024, and unfortunately they wound up with the same result on Friday. The Cardinals took a blow against the Trojans, falling 68-21. While losing is never fun, the Cardinals can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Illinois football rankings (they are ranked 341st, while the Trojans are ranked 39th).

Pleasant Plains lost despite a true team effort on offense. The best among them was Grady Grisham, who picked up 148 receiving yards and a pair of TDs. The team also got some help courtesy of Alexander Smith, who threw for 260 yards and three touchdowns.

Maroa-Forsyth had a senior duo take command as Ryne Sheppard threw for 448 yards and seven TDs while completing 76.5% of his passes and Zach Smith picked up 289 receiving yards and four scores. Smith was no stranger to the big play, cutting upfield on a catch that went for 63 yards. Deangelo Owen got in on the action too, returning a kick for a touchdown.

Pleasant Plains' defeat dropped their record down to 1-1. As for Maroa-Forsyth, they have started the season off flawlessly and has a 2-0 record to show for it.

We've got plenty of inter-conference action coming up soon. Pleasant Plains is set to challenge their familiar foe Athens at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Meanwhile, Maroa-Forsyth will square off against rival Auburn at 7:00 p.m. on Friday.