Cahokia spoils Althoff’s senior night in South Seven Conference showdown
Cahokia shined in every aspect of the game Friday night, paving the way to a decisive 56-6 South Seven Conference win at Althoff.
The Comanches — who were stout on offense, defense and special teams — improved to 4-4 overall while finishing conference action at 3-2.
“Getting a win like this helps us in the race for the conference title,” Cahokia coach Orlando Gooden said. “We were kind of like a dark horse.”
Friday’s outcome also kept the Comanches squarely in the hunt for a playoff spot.
The Crusaders, meanwhile, dropped to 4-4 and completed league play at 2-3. Althoff also still could become playoff eligible with a victory in the season finale.
“Losing on senior night (is tough), but our main goal was getting to the playoffs,” Althoff coach Austin Frazier said. “For us to be successful it’s just looking at what we’ve done well in the past.”
The Comanches started strong as quarterback Omarion Gooden threw a touchdown to wide receiver Keshawn Lyons with 5:49 left in the opening quarter. Coreyontae Midgett scored the two-point conversion for an 8-0 lead.
Mizzou recruit Nicholas DeLoach Jr. then picked off Althoff’s Braylon Grayson and returned it 90 yards for a touchdown with 3:11 left in the first quarter for a 14-0 margin.
“It feels good knowing that I am one of the main pieces to rely on offensively and defensively,” DeLoach said. “It just makes me want to play better.”
With 6:42 left in the second quarter, Grayson threw a 20-yard touchdown to Lucious Dones, cutting the lead to 20-6.
Cahokia’s Peter Braxton, however, notched a 33-yard rushing touchdown with 5:26 left in the second quarter, adding another six points to the board.
DeLoach nabbed his second interception of the night and, on the ensuing drive, hauled in a 69-yard touchdown pass just four minutes before halftime. Antonio Darough added the two-point conversion for a 34-6 lead at intermission.
Early in the third quarter, Gooden threw his third touchdown, this time to D’Kyren Kizer for 28 yards with 8:52 left, capping a 65-yard drive.
Cahokia’s special teams upped the margin to 48-6 lead on DeLoach’s 66-yard punt return for a touchdown.
Midgett’s 11-yard touchdown run with 8:34 left in the game completed the scoring.
While the offense shined, Cahokia’s defense also was strong, posting the two interceptions, two fumble recoveries and three sacks. Linebacker Kindrick Williams led the Comanches defense with eight solo tackles and three assists.
Both teams conclude regular season action at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21, as Althoff visits Alton and Cahokia travels to O’Fallon. With wins, both the Comanches and Crusaders would become playoff-eligible.
This story was originally published October 15, 2022 at 5:00 AM.