The Taylorville Tornadoes finished Senior Night in style as they stunned the Canton Little Giants with a massive fourth quarter to win their home opener 42-27, after trailing 27-13.. Taylorville got the scoring in first as they raced in for a touchdown as Isaac Repscher raced down the field and the Tornadoes jumped to a early 6-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. That lead would be short lived however, as Canton would go to work. Much like Richland County the previous week, Taylorville struggled to slow down the Little Giants QB Lakon Otto who helped the Little Giants score and they jumped out front 8-6. Canton would score again to take a 15-6 lead. Maddux Havera would score to cut the lead to 15-13 with 1:32 left in the second quarter.
With the score 15-13 coming out of halftime, Canton used a few quick plays to race down the field and score extending their lead with Gavin Otto running one in to make it 21-13. The last part of the third quarter was bizarre. With 5:31 left in the third quarter, the Tornadoes stripped the ball and forced a fumble and Little Giants Fullback Zeke Zimmerman lost the ball with the Tornadoes taking over at their own 25 yardline. Taylorville couldn’t score and were forced to punt with 4:49 left in the third quarter. Gavin Otto couldn’t hold onto the ball and Taylorville landed on it. The officials conferred and penalties came in with an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and Taylorville was forced to re-punt the ball.
Canton scored again with 1:07 left in the third quarter to give themselves a 27-13 lead which they would hold until the end of the third quarter. Taylorville defense would take over in the fourth quarter. Wyatt Younker would catch a touchdown pass to make it 27-20. A kickoff return that was botched by Canton set them up to start a drive from their own ten after a penalty. A botched snap and Taylorville landed on Canton QB Otto in what appeared to be the endzone, but the officials would rule it down at the 1. Canton would get out of it, but have to punt and after a penalty, Dawson Jenkins would score on a 12 yard touchdown run to pull the Tornadoes within 1 as they missed the extra point giving the Little Giants a 27-26 lead with 8:09 left in the 4th quarter.
With a one point lead, Canton tried rolling time off the clock. On 4th and 5 with 5:13 left in regulation. Otto threw a pass that was intercepted by Lane Riva for an 85 yard td return gave the Tornadoes a 32-27 lead. With the two point conversion successful, Taylorville led 34-27. Maddux Havera than picked off Otto with 2:23 left in the 4th and ran it in again for a touchdown but it was called back. Spencer Brown would add the final score on a simple run play that gave the Tornadoes a 42-27 win.
Lane Riva was named the Nicole Patrick Country Financial Agent Player of the game. Taylorville (1-1) will host the Freeburg Midgets (2-0) on Friday night at 7 PM.
