The Bluestem Lions will venture away from home to face off against the Eureka Tornadoes at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Keep an eye on the score for this one: the two teams posted some lofty point totals in their previous games.
On Friday, everything came up roses for Bluestem against Central Heights as the team secured a 40-6 victory. That 34 point margin sets a new team best for the Lions this season.
It was another big night for Logan Squier, who rushed for 158 yards on only 13 carries. His longest rush was for an impressive 58 yards, which helps to explain his lofty yards per carry total.
They were just one part of a punishing run game: Bluestem was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 279 rushing yards. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Central Heights only rushed for 119.
Another reason for the win was Bluestem's imposing defense, which managed to get into the backfield for three sacks. The team can thank three different players for their defensive prowess: Tyllier Freeman, Jaxson Caywood, and Ayson Shepherd, who each picked up one sack apiece. Bluestem received some extra help from Myles Highbarger, whose fumble return for a touchdown made for one of the most unforgettable moments.
Meanwhile, Eureka hadn't done well against Humboldt recently (they were 1-8 in their previous nine matchups), but they didn't let the past get in their way on Friday. The Tornadoes simply couldn't be stopped as they easily beat the Cubs 34-6. The contest was pretty much decided by the half, when the score had already reached 26-0.
Eureka's win came from a few key players Bluestem will need to keep an eye on. One of the most notable was Tj Mills, who rushed for 85 yards and one score on only seven carries, and also picked up 49 receiving yards and one touchdown. Peyton Hare was another key player, rushing for 40 yards and one TD.
Eureka didn't go easy on the quarterback and picked off two passes before the game was over. The picks came courtesy of Cole Ptacek and Mason Hughes.
The win made it two in a row for Bluestem and bumps their season record up to 3-1. Those victories came thanks in part to their defensive effort, having only surrendered a grand total of 26 points in those games. As for Eureka, their record now sits at 3-1.
Friday's matchup might be decided on the ground. Bluestem has been unstoppable on the ground this season, having averaged 257.2 rushing yards per game. However, it's not like Eureka struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 174.2 rushing yards. There's a good chance Friday's game turns into a tough fight on the ground.
Bluestem lost to Eureka on the road by a decisive 30-14 margin when the teams last played back in October of 2024. A big factor in that loss was the dominant performance of Hare, who rushed for 119 yards and a pair of touchdowns on only ten carries, and also threw for 21 yards and one TD. Now that the Lions know the damage he can cause, will they be able to stop him this time? Check MaxPreps.com after the match to find out.
