Assistant Editor Jerry Lindsey wrote this report and took the photos.
The Fulton Steamers entered the November 13 Class 1 State Quarterfinal game against the Lena-Winslow Panthers, knowing their key task was to extinguish the threat of halfback Marey Roby. Roby quickly showed his talents as he sprinted 71 yards for a touchdown on the first play of the game. He repeated the scoring effort by galloping for a 38-yard score on his second carry in the opening quarter. Roby ended the day by gaining 257 yards in the Panthers’ 54-28 win over the Fulton Steamers.
The win placed the Panthers in the Illinois State Class 1A Semifinals for the fourth postseason in a row.
After falling behind 18-0 in the first quarter, Fulton didn’t concede the day. They stayed competitive and mounted a potential half-ending score that would have cut the margin to 32-21. But a Patrick Lower pass was intercepted in the end zone, with 27 seconds remaining in the first half, to end the threat. Baylen Damhoff pulls in a touchdown pass over Zach White (15) of Lena-Winslow.
The opening of the second half mirrored the first. Roby split the defense and sprinted for a 57-yard score with the first snap of the second half and heightened the task of recovery for the visiting Steamers. Roby continually evaded Steamer tacklers, while amassing his record day on the gridiron.
Lower was forced to guide the Steamers with an aerial attack, which gained 366 yards on the day. This was due to the failed ground game that could only grind out 157 yards, of which 65 were gained in the final drive of the day by Jacob Jones.
Northwest Illinois has dominated the Class 1A State Football Finals over the past years. The Championship trophy has been earned by either Lena-Winslow or Forreston six times, dating back to the 2014-2015 season.
Captions:
Fulton Senior Brock Mason (2) throws a flying tackle in Lena-Winslow’s Jake Zeal (21.)
Mason ends his career at Fulton with a late fourth-quarter reception in the end zone.
Brody Mayon (29) is stopped by Steamer Connor Sheridan (10.)
Steamer Jacob Jones (7) follows blocker Joey Huizenga (54.)
Marey Roby (43) evades Fulton tacklers on his way to gaining his record 257 yards.
