Late heroics boost Althoff to white-knuckle win over Collinsville
Althoff posted a white-knuckle 16-14 road win over Collinsville in high school football Friday night, snapping a three-game losing streak and evening its record at 3-3.
Trailing 14-13, Althoff sophomore Austin Wilkinson kicked a 35-yard field goal with nine seconds remaining to secure the victory. Althoff coach Austin Frazier was thrilled for Wilkinson.
“He had some adversity in the first half with the blocked PAT … like any kicker, that upsets them because you only have so many opportunities,” Frazier said, noting that Wilkinson is one of the country’s top punters. “He got so upset he didn’t do the next kickoff. At halftime, he regained his composure, and for him to face adversity, overcome that, be accountable and then be successful … that’s the whole lesson in one game. I’m thrilled for him.”
After trailing 13-7 at halftime, Collinsville took a one-point lead in the fourth quarter. But Althoff’s defense made multiple stops to give the offense a chance, and Wilkinson converted the game-winning field goal, capping a 60-yard drive that began at Althoff’s own 20-yard line.
The win was especially satisfying for Althoff, which was coming off a heartbreaking 29-28 loss to Mount Vernon on Sept. 26, when the Rams erased a 28-15 fourth-quarter deficit.
“I think this team needed a win,” Frazier said. “We’ve had some things not go our way. And there were some moments tonight where we really struggled. We’ve been leading in almost every game, but we’ve had a tough time maintaining a consistent level of play for two, three, four quarters. There’s a lot of talent and capability with this group, but we need to be able to sustain it over time.
“That said, to win a tough one after we lost a tough one last week … I am really happy for this locker room. They executed in a difficult situation. They deserved this win and needed it. I’m real proud of them.”
Trailing 7-0, junior Jayden Ellington’s 27-yard touchdown pass to fellow junior Eli Bolden with 1:40 left in the first quarter cut the deficit to 7-6. Junior Steven Brown’s touchdown run with 8:22 before halftime, coupled with Wilkinson’s point after, put Althoff ahead 13-7.
Senior Amauri Harper’s 84-yard touchdown run and senior Matt Reynolds’s PAT with 11:30 left gave Collinsville a 14-13 lead before Wilkinson ultimately propelled Althoff to victory.
While pleased with the win, Frazier said, “we still have a lot to clean up,” specifically noting the Crusaders’ penalties.
“We had some dumb ones tonight,” he said. “There’s a difference between effort penalties and poor decision-making or allowing your emotions to get the better of you. Stuff like that can’t happen. Good teams don’t get penalized at a high rate, and it’s really hard to overcome those.”
Ellington finished with 150 yards passing and one touchdown on 13 completions. Bolden recorded six receptions for 122 yards and a touchdown, while Brown finished with 85 rushing yards and a touchdown on 17 carries.
Next for Althoff is a home contest against Mater Dei at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10.
“We’re excited to have them at home,” Frazier said. “It’s our Homecoming game, so we have to avoid those distractions. We’ll get to them on Monday.”
Collinsville, which entered Friday’s game on a three-game winning streak, dropped to 3-3. The Kahoks visit Marion at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10.
This story was originally published October 4, 2025 at 7:14 AM.