Yorkville Soars Past Plainfield East 28-0 in Major Showdown

UPDATE: In a thrilling clash of unbeatens, the Yorkville Foxes dominated the Plainfield East Bengals with a resounding 28-0 victory on September 29, 2023. The Foxes wasted no time, striking first with two long touchdowns in the opening quarter, showcasing their explosive offense and relentless defense.

The game, held in Yorkville, marked a significant moment for the Foxes as they improved to 4-0 for the first time since 2022. Sophomore standout Jayden Ruth kicked off the scoring with a spectacular 48-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Jack Beetham on the team’s fourth play from scrimmage. “It was just great blocking by my teammate A.J. [DiVito],” Ruth stated after the game. “I saw an opening and took the opportunity to make a play.”

Yorkville’s defense was equally impressive, forcing the Bengals into three-and-out possessions on their initial drives. On their second drive, Gavin Geegan added a 34-yard touchdown run, extending the lead to 14-0 with just under five minutes left in the first quarter. Ruth’s electric play and the Foxes’ early dominance set a crucial tone for the matchup.

Beetham completed 8 of 15 passes for 139 yards, including a 15-yard touchdown to DiVito right before halftime, putting Yorkville ahead 21-0. Geegan capped off the scoring with an 8-yard TD run, while teammate T.J. Harland rushed for 104 yards during the game.

Despite entering the game with high expectations, Plainfield East struggled to find their rhythm, failing to score after averaging 55 points in their previous three games. Quarterback Brady Cloherty completed 23 of 39 passes for 196 yards, but the Bengals could not convert their red zone opportunities. “A lot of quick screens we were not able to hit,” Cloherty admitted, acknowledging the Foxes’ physical play.

Yorkville’s defense, led by junior defensive lineman Mark Smith, effectively contained Plainfield East’s speedsters. “We just tried to smother them, get guys to the ball,” Smith said. The strategic adjustments made by the Foxes were crucial in limiting the Bengals’ explosive plays.

As the game progressed, Plainfield East had four drives into the Yorkville red zone but came away empty-handed, with a dropped pass in the end zone and two turnovers on downs. “Beyond the fact that we did well against a very athletic and explosive team, I felt our defense made some very good adjustments,” said Yorkville coach Dan McGuire.

Plainfield East, still holding a strong position after their earlier victories, is looking to bounce back next week against winless district rival Plainfield South. “We just missed some opportunities,” Cloherty noted, emphasizing the need to review game footage for improvement.

Looking ahead, Yorkville will face off against another unbeaten team, Oswego, next Friday. “Rivals,” Ruth remarked. “We have to be prepared for anything.” With the stakes rising, both teams are gearing up for crucial matchups that could define their seasons.

Stay tuned as we continue to cover the latest developments in high school football across the region.