COLLINSVILLE — Lazarion Steward scored on a 16-yard touchdown run with 2:42 left in regulation Friday night at Kahok Stadium, lifting Collinsville to a 14-10 comeback win over Springfield in the Kahoks’ home football opener.
The Kahoks rallied from a 10-0 second-half deficit to earn their first win of the season, one week after losing to Belleville Althoff Catholic 51-20 in the season opener. Collinsville improved to 1-1, while Springfield fell to 0-2.
Get The Latest News!
Don't miss our top stories and need-to-know news everyday in your inbox.
“I feel great right now,” Collinsville coach Colton Rhodes said. “The game wasn't pretty, and it certainly wasn't perfect, but at the end of the day, we fought our butts off, scratched and clawed our way back into it, and ended up leading on the scoreboard at the end, and that's what matters.”
The teams played to a scoreless first half in a defensive struggle. Collinsville blocked a Springfield punt on the first possession but could not score. Both teams also missed field goal opportunities, including Springfield late in the half.
Springfield broke through quickly after halftime, scoring on the third play from scrimmage when Bryce Bryant ran 48 yards up the middle for a touchdown. The extra point gave the Senators a 7-0 lead. Later in the quarter, Kai Rineberger kicked a 25-yard field goal to extend Springfield’s lead to 10-0.
“It was a little rough right there at the start of the second half,” Rhodes said. “We gave up seven, and then, we gave up 10. So, we got down 10-0 after a scoreless first half, and we had a lot of chances there on offense, we just could never finish. So, I'm glad in the second half, we decided let's finish some drives here, and we did exactly what we needed to do.”
Collinsville answered near the end of the third quarter when Steward finished a long drive with a 1-yard touchdown run, cutting Springfield’s lead to 10-7.
Springfield held that lead until late in the fourth quarter. After a Senators punt gave Collinsville the ball at the Springfield 41, the Kahoks scored in two plays and 16 seconds. Elijha Ramer took a reverse 25 yards to the Springfield 16, and Steward followed with the 16-yard touchdown run that put Collinsville ahead 14-10.
Rhodes said he was especially happy for Steward, who scored both of Collinsville’s touchdowns.
“He's our senior running back, and one of our few returners on offense,” Rhodes said. “and not only is Lazarion a great football player and running back, he's one of the greatest people I know. So, I couldn't be prouder of that kid.”
Springfield had one final chance after the kickoff. On the first play from the Springfield 12, Ed Horton took a swing pass, made a move and ran 70 yards to the Collinsville 8. Penalties moved the Senators back to the Collinsville 18, and the Kahoks’ defense stopped the drive. A fourth-down pass was intercepted in the end zone, clinching the win for Collinsville.
“Obviously, losing the first one, and then, having a tough one,” Rhodes said, “this was probably not exactly how we wanted it. I'm happy to be 1-1 right now, it's better than 0-2, so, we've just got to keep growing. We're super young, so we're going to make mistakes, it's just how we grow and finish, and start nullifying all these mistakes is really how we're going to prosper.”
Springfield plays at Jacksonville next Friday, while Collinsville plays at Mt. Vernon next Saturday night. Both games will kick off at 7 p.m.
Collinsville then hosts Granite City on Sept. 11 in its first Southwestern Conference game since 2019.
“Yes, back in the conference for the first time,” Rhodes said. “The kids are ready for it, they're excited, we've got another game to go before we get there. But we're happy to be back.”
