Last Friday (8/29), the Boilermakers went up against their toughest opponents to date as they played the #4 ranked team in the state, Normal Community Ironmen (6-0). The woes for the Boilers continued as they turned the ball over six times and the Ironmen capitalized, smoking the Boilers in a 47-7 blowout.

Not only were the turnovers a major factor in their defeat but, the Boilers were decimated by injuries to both the defense and offense. Quarterback Morion Burtis did not see the field against the Ironmen after recently suffering a concussion the week prior against Bolingbrook. With Burtis out, Sophomore Quarterback Keaton Schmidt made his debut on the varsity football team.

Knowing that the Boilers were limited on offense with playmakers, it was easy for the Ironmen to pin their ears back and rattle the Sophomore quarterback. This worked to success as the Boilers’ offense scored an early touchdown drive but, did not score any more points for the remainder of the game.

The sense of frustration in this years’ team is evident in both the players and coaches as the Boilers will not make the playoffs for the first time in 12 years. One thing Coach Mike Kohl has told his Seniors is that, “They have to control what they can control and keep fighting.” The Boilermakers end their three away game stretch at Homewood-Flossmoor (5-1).

The Vikings are coming off of a tough loss at home to Lincoln-Way East (6-0) 28-7. The Boilers will try to upset the Vikings as they have nothing else to lose and are now playing with house money. They will be heading to Homewood-Flossmoor without Head Coach Mike Kohl after Kohl was ejected from last Friday’s contest. The interim head coach has yet to be determined.  

We’ll see how the Boilermakers play and if they can find any motivation after all playoff hopes are now off of the table.