By Fred Kroner
Villa Grove’s football team bounced back from a loss the previous week to record a season’s high for points scored on Friday (Sept. 10) in a 42-35 win at home over Cerro Gordo/Bement in the Lincoln Prairie Conference opener.
The Blue Devils amassed a season-high 460 yards of total offense, including 185 rushing yards by Luke Zimmerman and 186 passing yards by Liam Barr.
“Our offensive line did a great job giving Liam time to throw,” Villa Grove coach Heath Wilson said.
Barr tossed two touchdown strikes to Elijah Kiesel (who had 106 receiving yards) and one to Brady Clodfelder.
“Kiesel was a playmaker,” Wilson said. “We put him at the slot and it worked to our benefit, and then Luke took over in the fourth quarter.”
Zimmerman had two rushing touchdowns and Barr ran for one score. Daelin Price converted 4 of 5 extra-point placements.
Zimmerman’s final score, on a 75-yard romp with 2 minutes and 20 seconds remaining, created the game’s final score and gave VG extra breathing room.
The coach had to make an adjustment in the offensive line unit after an injury a week earlier sidelined tackle Connor Black.
Sophomore Alex Jensen – who didn’t play as a freshman – stepped in at right tackle.
He joins a veteran group that features two seniors (left guard Price and left tackle Deandre Reinhart) along with junior center Carson Block and sophomore right guard Zach Wells.
VG built leads of 14-0 and 28-13, which was narrowed to 28-27.
The visiting Broncos also pulled within 36-35 in the final 6 minutes.
“The poise of my team was very good,” Wilson said. “Our kids had a fight in them.
“Our defense gave up some big plays, but when they had a chance to drive, the defense stepped up and got the job done.
“It was a nerve-wracking game. The crowd loved it, but as a coach, it gives you a heart attack.”
Zimmerman recorded a season-high 15 tackles. Other defensive leaders were Price (six tackles), Reinhart (six tackles), Clodfelder (six tackles) and Tyler Wilson (five tackles).
The Blue Devils were scheduled to return to action on Friday (Sept. 17) for their third consecutive home game, a contest against Argenta-Oreana (0-3). However, the Bombers have forfeited due to COVID-19 cases within the program.
