Central A&M opened the 2026 football season in impressive fashion Friday night, rolling past Dee-Mack 33-6 behind a dominant second-half performance and a defense that consistently made big plays.

The Raiders settled in after a sluggish first half and came out of halftime with a completely different mentality, finding their rhythm offensively while continuing to make plays defensively.

Rhett McLain was a major factor for Central A&M, hauling in a 74-yard touchdown pass while also scoring three rushing touchdowns, including a 2-yard touchdown run.

Aiden Sikes added a receiving touchdown and a rushing touchdown, while Victor Ravelo came up with several big catches and made key tackles on defense.

The biggest story of the night, however, was the Raiders’ defense.

Colin Reed, a lineman, intercepted two passes, while Kayden Higgins added another interception. Central A&M consistently made life difficult for the Dee-Mack offense and helped swing momentum in the Raiders’ favor.

“We struggled in the first half a little bit, but we had a long conversation at halftime and came out and got the job done,” McLain said.

McLain also credited the Raiders’ offensive line, naming Colin Reed, Max Taylor, Chaz Bruandmeier, Hunter Poppenhouse and Parker O’Dell as key contributors up front.

Central A&M head coach Higgins said his team finally settled into the brand of football it wanted to play after halftime.

“Our kids really stepped up, I thought, in the second half,” Higgins said. “We kind of settled in, played our brand of football that we wanted to play in the first half and didn’t.”

Higgins was especially pleased with how his players stayed together and made plays when the team needed them.

“Each guy made a play when we needed it,” Higgins said. “We just got so many weapons. It’s great when they can share that, and we did. We shared the ball.”

For Dee-Mack, Ashton Finch provided the team’s lone touchdown, but the offense struggled to consistently move the football against a strong Central A&M defense.

The 33-6 victory gives Central A&M a 1-0 start to the season and sends the Raiders into Week 2 with plenty of momentum.

Higgins said the Raiders will enjoy the opening-night victory before turning their attention to the film and making corrections.

“We’ll get better,” Higgins said. “There’s a lot of things that we can fix from film.”

The Raiders will now prepare for Fremont in Week 2, looking to build on Friday night’s strong defensive effort and second-half offensive surge.

After seeing the energy from Central A&M fans during the season opener, Higgins also encouraged the Raider faithful to travel with the team.

“CAM fans, come on out,” Higgins said. “Let’s make it our home game.”

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The Shelbyville Rams found themselves within striking distance during the second half Friday night, but a pair of explosive Heyworth touchdown runs helped the Hornets pull away for a 27-6 victory.

Turnovers and big plays proved costly for Shelbyville throughout the night. Heyworth turned an early Rams fumble into points, later found the end zone on a punt return and answered Shelbyville’s lone touchdown almost immediately with a 63-yard scoring run.

The trouble began late in the opening quarter when Shelbyville lost a fumble near its own 30-yard line. Heyworth recovered with 1:25 remaining in the period, giving the Hornets an opportunity to work with a short field.

Heyworth capitalized less than a minute later.

With 53.3 seconds remaining in the first quarter, the Hornets’ quarterback escaped for a 32-yard touchdown run, giving Heyworth an early 7-0 advantage.

Shelbyville’s offense continued battling into the second quarter but encountered difficulties sustaining drives. A nine-yard loss followed by a false-start penalty backed the Rams into a second-and-24 situation from their own 14-yard line midway through the quarter.

The physicality between the two teams also began to show as the first half progressed. An exchange following consecutive plays resulted in an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against Shelbyville with 2:42 remaining in the half.

Heyworth then delivered another major blow on special teams.

With 1:38 remaining before halftime, the Hornets returned a punt for a touchdown, extending their advantage to 13-0.

Shelbyville received an opportunity to respond late in the half after a pass interference penalty against Heyworth moved the Rams to the Hornets’ 40-yard line with 33.3 seconds remaining, but Shelbyville was unable to turn the opportunity into points before the break.

Trailing 13-0, the Rams came out of halftime needing a spark. They found one in Jaden Meister.

With 4:52 remaining in the third quarter, Meister broke through for a 13-yard touchdown run, putting Shelbyville on the scoreboard and cutting Heyworth’s advantage to 13-6.

For a brief moment, the Rams had pulled themselves right back into the game.

Heyworth needed only one offensive snap to respond.

On the Hornets’ first play following Shelbyville’s touchdown, Heyworth broke free for a 63-yard rushing touchdown with 4:40 remaining in the third — just 12 seconds of game time after the Rams had scored.

The explosive answer pushed the Hornets’ lead to 20-6 and quickly halted the momentum Shelbyville had generated.

The Rams continued looking for an opportunity to climb back into the contest during the fourth quarter. Shelbyville’s defense provided one early, recovering a Heyworth fumble at its own 30-yard line with 11:53 remaining.

Later in the quarter, the Rams appeared poised to make things interesting.

A deep completion moved Shelbyville all the way to the Heyworth 1-yard line with eight minutes remaining, putting the Rams on the doorstep of potentially making it a one-score game once again.

But on the very next play, disaster struck.

A high snap got away from Shelbyville, and Heyworth recovered the loose football with 7:56 remaining. Instead of the Rams potentially cutting into the deficit, the Hornets escaped with their 20-6 advantage intact.

Heyworth eventually put the game away with another explosive run.

With 3:58 remaining, the Hornets broke free for a 45-yard touchdown, extending the advantage to 27-6 and putting the finishing touches on the victory.

For Shelbyville, the final score didn’t tell the entire story. The Rams had opportunities to change the complexion of the game, particularly after Meister’s third-quarter touchdown brought them within seven and again when a deep completion put them just one yard away from the end zone in the fourth.

Ultimately, turnovers and Heyworth’s ability to create explosive plays proved to be the difference.

The Hornets produced touchdowns on runs of 32, 63 and 45 yards, added another score on a punt return and repeatedly responded when Shelbyville threatened to build momentum.

The Rams, meanwhile, showed flashes of their ability to move the football and remained within striking distance into the second half, but missed opportunities prevented Shelbyville from completing the comeback as Heyworth walked away with the 27-6 victory.

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Hillsboro used a strong rushing attack to take control Friday night, defeating Pana 27-14 in season-opening high school football action.

Pana got on the scoreboard when Jax Czaikowski broke free for a 28-yard rushing touchdown. The Panthers also recovered a fumble of their own, but penalties slowed their momentum as Pana was flagged three times for false starts.

Hillsboro answered with a physical ground game led by quarterback Elijah Patton. The No. 1 rushed for a touchdown and later broke loose for a 48-yard run as the Hilltoppers consistently found success on the ground.

Patton added another touchdown on a quarterback keeper as Hillsboro continued to build its lead.

Pana’s defense had some strong moments, including a special teams play when Ace Henschen, No. 23, blocked Patton’s extra-point attempt.

After the game, Patton credited Hillsboro’s preparation throughout the summer for the team’s performance.

“We had a good team preparation in the summer,” Patton said. “The practice and the preparation, we knew we could do something good tonight.”

Hillsboro’s rushing attack proved to be the difference as the Hilltoppers opened the season with a 27-14 victory over Pana.

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The Taylorville Tornadoes opened the 2026 season with a statement Friday night, dominating the Olney Tigers 47-7 in a game where Taylorville controlled all three phases from start to finish.

Taylorville’s defense set the tone early, limiting Olney’s offense while the Tornadoes worked to establish their own attack.

The Tornadoes broke through in the first quarter when Isaac Repscher connected with Blake Ladage for a 20-yard touchdown. Ben Peabody’s extra point gave Taylorville a 7-0 lead.

Taylorville exploded in the second quarter.

After an Olney fumble was recovered by the Tornadoes, Repscher found Wyatt Yonker for a 43-yard touchdown. Olney blocked the extra point, keeping the score at 13-0.

Yonker found the end zone again later in the quarter, hauling in a 72-yard touchdown pass from Repscher. Peabody’s kick was good, pushing the lead to 20-0.

The Taylorville defense continued to create opportunities, with Maddex Havera coming up with an interception. The Tornadoes drove into Olney territory before Repscher finished the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run with just five seconds remaining in the half.

Peabody added the extra point, sending Taylorville into halftime with a commanding 27-0 advantage.

The Tornadoes continued their dominance in the third quarter, adding another touchdown to make it 33-0. Connor Hundsley also made a big defensive play, recording a tackle that helped push Olney back.

Taylorville’s defense added another interception as the Tornadoes continued to keep the Tigers off balance.

Garrett Lehman opened the fourth-quarter scoring with a 2-yard touchdown run, and Peabody’s extra point made it 40-0.

Olney finally got on the scoreboard when Brody Snyder connected with Aiden Germak for a 15-yard touchdown, cutting the deficit to 40-7.

Taylorville answered immediately.

On the ensuing kickoff, Wyatt Yonker returned the ball 93 yards for a touchdown, giving the Tornadoes their final points of the night. Peabody’s extra point made it 47-7.

Repscher had a night to remember in his return from injury, accounting for five Taylorville touchdowns while helping lead the Tornadoes to a dominant opening-night victory.

After the game, Repscher said the performance was the result of months of preparation.

“We’ve been prepping for this game, I mean, all summer long,” Repscher said. “We knew what we were doing, and we executed perfectly.”

Lane Riva credited the team’s ability to play together on both sides of the ball.

“Just keeping juice, everyone,” Reeve said. “Just playing together. You know, defense, we’re all trying to leverage the ball, work as one. Offense, it goes the same way.”

For Repscher, Friday night’s performance was even more special because it marked his return from injury.

“You can’t beat this feeling,” Repscher said. “Senior night, first game back, and we just have a spectacular night.”

Repscher also made sure to recognize the players around him, especially the offensive line.

“I just want to give a shout out to the O-line as well,” he said. “They were feeling amazing. Could not do anything without them.”

Coach Odom Praises Team Effort

Taylorville head coach Odom was pleased with the performance but knows there is still plenty to improve heading into Week 2.

“I’m sure when we watch film we’ll find some mistakes and some areas to clean up,” Odom said.

The Tornadoes had some special-teams mistakes and allowed a few plays on defense that Odom wants corrected before traveling to Canton.

Still, the coach praised the overall team effort.

“It is really nice to know you’ve got playmakers in all three phases,” Odom said.

Odom specifically credited Peabody for his kicking performance, the long-snapping unit, Taylorville’s defense for creating turnovers and the offense for producing explosive plays.

The Tornadoes will now turn their attention to Canton.

Taylorville will hit the road next week looking to build on Friday night’s impressive victory.

Odom knows the Tornadoes can’t afford to dwell on the 47-7 win.

“We’ve got to make sure that we’re super focused, and, you know, take the 47-7 win, but then turn the page really quickly,” Odom said.

After a dominant opening night, Taylorville has certainly made a statement — but the Tornadoes know the season is only getting started. Check out this story on ilsportswire.com for video clips from the game. For a direct link to the coaches interview video, CLICK HERE.

Also during Friday's game, Scooter’s Coffee gave back to Taylorville student-athletes through a new season-long promotion benefiting the Taylorville Sports Boosters.

For the 2025-26 school year, Scooter’s Coffee is the exclusive sponsor of the WTIM Scooter’s Coffee Tornado Give Back Promotion. The program will turn achievements on the field and court into donations supporting Taylorville athletics.

Under the promotion, Scooter’s Coffee will donate $10 for every Taylorville varsity football touchdown scored during the season.

When basketball season gets underway, the company will donate $3 for every three-point shot made by both the Taylorville boys and girls basketball teams throughout all of their games.

Throughout the year, Scooters Coffee supported Taylorville athletics through a special promotion tied to local sports highlights. Thanks to touchdowns, three-pointers, and home runs, they have donated $1,236 to the Taylorville Sports Boosters. These funds will help support Taylorville student-athletes and athletic programs.

During Fridays Game, the $1,236 check was given to the Taylorville Sports Boosters by Marcus McGlasson, the owner of Scooters Coffee. 

Pictured below are members of the Taylorville Sports Boosters, holding the oversized donation check:

The giving will continue into the spring sports season, with $5 donated for every home run hit by the Taylorville varsity baseball and softball teams.

The total amount donated will depend on the success of Taylorville’s student-athletes throughout the school year, giving fans another reason to cheer for touchdowns, three-pointers and home runs.

As part of the exclusive sponsorship agreement, Scooter’s Coffee will also receive five live promotional reads during each WTIM Tornado game broadcast, along with four 30-second promotional spots each day throughout the school year.

The WTIM Scooter’s Coffee Tornado Give Back Promotion is designed to connect local business support with Taylorville athletics, with every big play helping generate additional funding for the Taylorville Sports Boosters and the student-athletes they support.

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