Ironmen dominant in season opener, defeat Richwoods 55-12

Inkspot Staff

Sep 4, 2024

Calen Taylor averaged over 11 yards a carry in his 2024 debut and pulled in one reception for 11 yards. Photo Courtesy of: Steph Mazanowski // MazPix Photography

The Ironmen’s explosive offensive effort secured a 55-12 road victory over Peoria’s Richwoods Knights in Aug. 30’s season opener.
The victory, head coach Mr. Jason Drengwitz said, stemmed from a good week of practice.
“I felt like our approach was really locked in, really focused,” Drengwitz said, “and I feel like that led to us playing really well.”
Community set the tone early against the Knights, scoring three first quarter touchdowns.
Calen Taylor put Community on the scoreboard with a 3-yard touchdown run in the game’s opening minutes, followed by a 43-yard touchdown pass from Kyle Beaty to Mar’Quan Gary.

Mar’Quan Gary hauled in two receptions in the game for 44 yards. Photo Courtesy of: Steph Mazanowski // MazPix Photography

Taylor struck again with a 55-yard sprint to the end zone, pushing the Ironmen to a 21-0 lead by the end of the first quarter.
Taylor led the team in rushing with 111 yards and three touchdowns on the night, recording a 1-yard run in the second quarter.
A two-yard touchdown run from Cole Kretsinger extended the Iron’s lead to 35-0.
Kretsinger finished the game with 70 yards on 12 carries.
Beaty matched Taylor’s offensive output, contributing three touchdowns of his own in the contest, connecting with Jalen Smith and Ivoreon Austin on 12-yard touchdown tosses to end the half up 49-6.
Beaty finished the night passing for 163 yards, going 10 for 18 with no turnovers, while Austin led Community’s receiving core with two catches for 46 yards.
The team’s success on the ground and the air, Drengwitz said, is “a credit to our offensive line,” protecting the quarterback, executing blocks and opening running lanes.
The Ironmen defense stifled the Knights, holding Richwoods to negative yards on the ground and recording two turnovers.
Defensively, “a lot of guys played at a really, really high level,” Drengwitz said, “considering for some of them this was their first start as varsity football players.”
Community allowed just 117 total yards in the game with the majority coming on a 70-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter.
Richwoods managed to find the endzone again late with a 1-yard run.
Lucas Beaty, made his quarterback debut in relief of his brother, going 2-3 for 11 yards and scoring on a 5-yard scamper in the second half.
Community is 1-0 in Big 12 Conference play ahead of Friday’s matchup against the Normal West Wildcats (1-0) at Dick Tharpe Field.

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