Week 2: Milledgeville vs Forreston

Coming off a big week 1 win over state ranked Stockton, Milledgeville climbed the computer rankings to #10 and started to get some notice around the state, even jumping into our NUIC composite state rankings. Facing a Forreston team that was forced to miss week 1 due to COVID protocols, the Missiles wanted to come out and make a statement after suffering a 54-8 loss the last time these two met.

Forreston would start the game off quick as Lukas Lingel connected with Jordan Neuschwander for 60 yards and a score on the first play from scrimmage. The 2 point attempt failed, but Forreston was out in front 6-0 just 12 seconds into the game.

After that, it was a defensive struggle marred by penalties and a couple turnovers. Forreston would recover a Milledgville fumble on the second series of the drive as Jacob Fiorello found a loose ball after Damon Miller was hit jarring it loose. The Cardinals first series of the second half was ended quickly and they were forced to punt. During the return by Ryan Kendall the ball came out and Johnathan Kobler came up with it.

The 4th quarter picked up the intensity as Forreston held on to the 6-0 lead. Milledgville was driving behind the run game of Damon Miller and Ryan Kendall. Starting at their own 44 yard line the Missiles were able to move 56 yards in 4:45 when Nick Smith connected with Daniel Lohnes on a 7 yard connection with 8:45 remaining in the game. The Cardinals snuffed out the 2 point try, but the Missiles tied it up at 6.

The Missiles next series saw them get into the red zone, but Logan Dyson picked off a Smith pass at the Forreston 8 yard line to stifle the threat. Forreston wouldn't be able to capitalize and were forced to punt.

The Missiles would get the ball back at the Forreston 33 yard line with 38 seconds remaining in regulation. Smith dropped back to pass and Devonte King-Black rushed in from his left end position and hit Smith as he was getting ready to throw forcing a fumble that Mason Fox would fall on to help send the game to overtime.

In overtime Milledgeville would get the ball first, and on the first play Smith would connect with Gage Wilk on the 10 yard TD pass. The two point try would be a similar play that saw Smith connect with Ryan Kendall to give Milledgeville a 14-6 lead.

Forreston would run a dive with Neuschwander, followed by 2 sweeps to the right with Neuschwander, the last being a 5 yard run to the end zone. Being forced to go for 2 to tie the game up, the Cardinals went to the ground game with Neuschwander, but Milledgeville had the perfect play call with a blitz scheme in place and Neuschwander had no chance has Kendall took him down in the backfield to secure the 14-12 win for Milledgeville.

Milledgeville was led by Damon Miller who had 61 yards rushing on 21 attempts and was in on several tackles from his linebacker position on defense. Ryan Kendall added 46 yards rushing on 11 attempts, and also came up big on defense, especially on the game saving tackle. Nick Smith was 4-8 passing for 33 yards, but connected when it mattered on both Milledgeville TD's and the 2 point conversion.

The Cards were paced by Jordan Neuschwander who had 106 yards rushing on 16 attempts and 60 yards receiving on 1 reception and scored both Forreston TD's. The Cards picked up 22 yards rushing from Cayden Shelton, 23 yards rushing from Ryan Morris, 36 yards rushing from Lukas Lingel, 22 yards rushing from Devonte King-Black, and 26 yards rushing from Braden Politsch.

Milledgeville (2-0) will host Aquin (2-0) next Saturday in a key NUIC South matchup. Forreston (0-1) will travel to Amboy (0-1) to look for their first win in another NUIC South show down.