Rebels See Gridiron Campaign Ended By Warriors
By Shelby Burget
Making its first playoff appearance in 12 years, the South Fulton Rebels football squad was aiming for more Saturday afternoon at Nelson Snowden Field.
Seeking the program’s first playoff win since 2009, the Rebels instead were stymied by visiting Casey-Westfield. The visiting Warriors left VIT High School with a hard-fought 12-6 victory in an Illinois High School Association Class 1A opening round contest.
Casey-Westfield improved to 4-6, advancing to next week’s first round game at Tuscola (7-2).
South Fulton finished the season with a final record of 6-4, losing their final three games of the season.
Casey-Westfield recorded just three wins in the regular season, but looks can be deceiving.
A member of the Little Illini Conference, the Warriors played just one Class 1A team during the regular season. Their slate included one Class 4A team, five Class 3A teams and two Class 2A teams.
Meanwhile, South Fulton faced three Class 2A teams, with the remainder being Class 1A opponents.
“We saw that draw coming in and thought, ‘My goodness, this is a six win or seven win team in our conference,” said South Fulton coach Josh Miller of the Warriors. “Their offensive front is about 270 (pounds) across the board, big boys and physical.”
“This was more like a traditional week one (playoff) matchup, not an opening-round as the IHSA has done this year,” he added. “That’s a good football team and they’ll battle whoever they play. They’re big and physical.”
South Fulton entered the postseason as the second smallest program in the playoffs (Carrollton is the smallest at 160).
“We’re proud of our guys,” said Miller. “At the end of the day, we’re a 165 (student) enrollment school. Every time we play somebody we are David against Goliath every time we step foot on the football field.”
South Fulton trailed just 6-0 at halftime despite committing three turnovers.
The Rebels had just seven offensive plays in the game’s first 15-plus minutes.
Kyler Ratliff intercepted a Jonah Miller pass that gave the Warriors possession at the Rebel 10.
But the defense held with casey-Westfield settling for a 21-yard field goal by Wyatt Erickson that gave the visitors a 3-0 lead midway through the opening period.
After a South Fulton punt, Casey-Westfield drove 57 yards in 15 plays, using almost seven minutes of the clock.
But the Rebel defense force the Warriors to settle for a 26-yard field goal by Erickson that made it 6-0 with 10:04 remaining before halftime.
The visitors regained the ball on the ensuing kickoff when they recovered a Westin Chenoweth fumble, taking possession at the Rebel 23.
But a holding penalty stalled the drive that concluded with Erickson coming up short on a 42-yard field goal attempt.
During the final minute before intermission, Ratliff intercepted Miller for a second time near midfield. But the Rebels regained possession on the next play when Keagan Miller recovered a Jett Self fumble.
South Fulton turned the ball over on downs to start the second half. But the Rebel defense did likewise to the Warriors when Chenoweth sacked quarterback Carter Stinson for a four-yard loss on fourth down.
The Rebels then put together their best drive of the game.
Starting at their own 43, South Fulton used 14 plays to cover 57 yards taking over seven minutes.
On the first play of the fourth quarter on a fourth-and-goal, Miller’s one-yard run knotted the contest at 6-6 with 11:54 to go.
The Rebels attempted the point-after-touchdown kick, but it was blocked by the Warriors, leaving the score tied.
Casey-Westfield answered on its next possession. After a failed on-sides kick gave the Warriors possession at the Rebel 49, the visitors used 10 plays with Nick Fouty’s three-yard run for the TD.
Erickson’s PAT attempt was blocked, leaving casey-Westfield with a 12-6 lead with 6:18 remaining.
South Fulton turned the ball over on downs on its next possession, but casey-Westfield was unable to take advantage as Erickson missed a 48-yard field goal attempt.
The Rebels reached midfield on its next possession, but once again turned the ball over on downs.
The Warriors milked the clock before punting the ball away. Morgan Foglesong’s 33-yard punt return gave South Fulton possession at its own 40, but time for just one play.
Miller threw a pass to Riley Foglesong who was stopped at the Warrior 44 as the game ended.
“Our guys battled for each other and that's all we can ask for,” said Miller. “They played hard and they played four quarters of football, no matter what the scoreboard said.”
South Fulton finished with 147 yards of total offense.
Riley Foglesong, had 110 yards rushing on 27 carries, giving him 1,799 yards for the season, a program record along with his 26 touchdowns.
“Riley Foglesong is just a special kid,” said Miller. “To rush for 1,700 yards and 26 touchdowns coming into this game was an incredible season for him.”
Jonah Miller, a sophomore, finished 5-of-14 for 49 yards and two interceptions. Kole Steele had two catches for 20 yards, while Chenoweth, Riley Foglesong and Morgan Foglesong added one catch apiece.
“I jus couldn’t be more proud of our guys,” said Miller. “They battle for each other and they fight for each other.”
Defensively, Riley Foglesong recorded nine total tackles, followed by Joey Stevenson and Kylor Clemens with eight each and Jimmy Riggins with seven.
Cheonweoth, Keagan Miller and Morgan Folgleson added six apiece with Steele, Tyson Hickle and Kalvin Gorsuch recording five.
Casey-Westfield finished with 138 yards of total offense, including 86 yards rushing on 33 carries.Stinson was 5-of-15 for 52 yards.
“The defense played lights out,” said Miller. “We were giving up a ton of weight across the front. Our guys really gap-filled well, which we focused on all week, and just played good football.”
Unfortunately for South Fulton, it was not quite good enough to continue what has been a special season.
“You saw kids believe,” said Miller. “It was a special year for these guys. You have to be grateful for the opportunity.”
“We’re sad it ended,” he added. “It was a heck of a ride. We were hoping to stay on that ride a few more weeks here. But we’ve got to be thankful.”
“A home playoff football game is pretty special for us,” said Miller. “Playoff football, what a fun day.”
