Nightmare on Fort Beggs Drive

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It was a nightmarish Halloween for Plainfield Central, a shocking end to what was otherwise a memorable season.

Belleville East provided the tricks that got the best of Central, making the long journey to Plainfield and upsetting the fourth-seeded Wildcats 17-15 Oct. 31.

Belleville East, a 13th seed in the Class 8A playoffs, improved to 7-3. Central, seeded fourth, ended its season with an 8-2 mark.

Belleville East gets to return home to host fifth-seeded Brother Rice (8-2) on Nov. 8.

Opportunities were present but not seized by the Wildcats against the Lancers.

In the final minute, a 40-yard field goal attempt by Evan Engelsen was short, allowing Belleville East's two-point lead to stand as the final margin.

"I'm not going to second guess myself on the last play," Central coach John Jackson said. "Maybe we could have gotten a first down, maybe we couldn't have, but if we didn't, then it's definitely over. At least I gave us a shot."

Jackson also acknowledged that Central had other chances to give the contest a different outcome.

Belleville East scored first on a 25-yard field goal by Alvin Smith with 1:17 to go in the opening quarter. The field-goal drive started after a Central fumble, giving Belleville East the ball at its own 7-yard line. The Lancers marched downfield, eating up nearly seven minutes of time before scoring the field goal.

Belleville East increased its lead in the second quarter on a 93-yard touchdown run by Darnell Stevenson. The long run came on the first play after Central failed to convert on a fourth-and-inches to-go at the Belleville East 7.

Anthony Bjorklund got the Wildcats back into it with 7:31 remaining in the second when he recovered a fumble and returned it 28 yards for a touchdown. The extra point was no good.

"When you see the end zone, there's nothing better in the world, it's better than anything," Bjorklund said.

However, Belleville East was able to open more daylight before the end of the first half.

Jamon Bester scored from four yards out to give the Lancers a 17-6 advantage.

As if to give notice that a comeback effort was underway, Central closed the first-half with a 27-yard field goal by Engelsen with 30 seconds to go.

Central did come back in the third on a 2-yard touchdown run by Alonzo Morgan. The score came two plays after Brian Meeks had raced 41 yards, getting Central to the Lancers 7.

Meeks carried again to the 2, setting up Morgan's score. However, Morgan's conversion run failed, allowing Belleville East to maintain a two-point lead that proved the final margin of victory.

Still, the Wildcats kept knocking on the door to seize control of the contest.

Central had to punt when a drive stalled with 8:24 to go in the game. Another drive ended unsuccessfully when an Alex Parks-to-Nick Cialoni pass on fourth down at the Belleville 32 was incomplete with 3:19 remaining. Then came the failed field goal attempt with 46 seconds to go.

After the contest, emotions were pouring out of the Central players and staff.

"It was a great year, but not great enough," said Bjorklund, whose offensive and defensive play helped Central to the Southwest Prairie Conference title.

"I've played with these guys since my freshman year. I'm going to miss these guys," said Meeks, who led all rushers with 129 yards on 18 carries.

"I'm proud of these boys, they did a great job," Jackson said. "They're one of the finest groups of young men I've ever had the privilege to coach. That's saying a lot, I've had some good groups of kids, I really have. I really love these kids."

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