After a first half when both teams took advantage of the other team’s mistakes, Galesburg solidified its offense and defense to pull away from Limestone for a 42-25 victory in Bartonville Friday night.
The victory ended a losing streak for the Silver Streaks and extended Limestone’s streak to 12 games, going back to last season for both teams. Galesburg’s previous victory was against Limestone in 2024, and its third straight victory against the Rockets.
Second-half surge lifts Silver Streaks
Galesburg had a shaky first half, but it dominated the second half on both sides of the ball. The Streaks went into halftime trailing 13-6 but scored 29 points in the second half to pull away. A late score by Limestone made the final a little closer than its second-half performance might warrant.
Trailing by a touchdown entering the third quarter, the Streaks forced the Rockets to punt. The punt was fumbled, and Galesburg took over at the Limestone 37.
Quarterback Grady Hickey threw to Antwon Walker for 17 yards. Running back Prosper Aremu carried the ball to the 10 then to the one on the succeeding plays. Bradley Eaton scored from there and a Hickey-to-Eaton pass added the two-point conversion, giving Galesburg a 14-13 lead.
That was short-lived, however, as the Streaks made their only significant error of the second half. On the first play after the kickoff, Tyler Hammond scored on a 67-yard run. The two-point conversion attempt failed, but Limestone was back on top, 19-14.
Key plays shift momentum
Galesburg’s offense and defense clicked into place and the team dominated from that point. A seven-play, 64-yard drive ended with Prosper breaking through the middle of the Limestone defense for the touchdown. Hickey threw to Walker for the two-point conversion, and Galesburg, now leading 22-19, began to roll from there.
Following a defensive stop, Demetrius Watson returned a punt to the Limestone 12. Eaton scored on an end-around. The conversion attempt failed, but Galesburg increased its lead to 28-19.
Limestone failed to cover the ensuing kickoff. Zachariah Smith recovered the ball at the Limestone 28 as the third quarter ended. A Hickey completion to Kevin Phillips followed by an unsportsmanlike call against Limestone on the next pass attempt set up the Streaks at the three. Aremu broke through the middle again for the score. A failed two-point conversion left Galesburg with a 36-19 advantage.
Late interception sets up final touchdown
Limestone scored midway through the fourth quarter on a 65-yard drive, moving to within 11 points. But its attempts to rally failed after that. Galesburg recovered an onside kick, and a couple of minutes later Corey McGee intercepted a pass.
The interception set up the final Galesburg score. Hickey dumped a pass to Eaton who covered more than 50 yards for the touchdown and made the final score 42-25.
Early lead and halftime deficit
Galesburg had started strong with a 14-yard drive that ate up the first seven minutes of the game. It ended with a touchdown run by McGee. The first quarter ended with Galesburg up 6-0.
Limestone controlled the second quarter, thanks in part to Galesburg penalties. After a third-down defensive stop, Galesburg was called for an unsportsmanlike penalty that gave the Rockets new life, which they used to tie the game at six.
Later in the second quarter, Limestone quarterback Boh Johnson threw a touchdown pass to Jalen Caho; the conversion was good for two points. Limestone went into halftime with a 13-6 lead.
Individual statistics
Rushing – Grady Hickey, 6 rush, 30 yards; Corey McGee, 18 rush, 62 yards, 1 TD; Bradley Eaton , 4 rush, 10 yards, 2 TD; Prosper Aremu, 8 rush, 45 yards, 2 TD
Passing – Grady Hickey, 10-20, 192 yards, 1 TD; Bradley Eaton 0-1
Receiving — Demetrius Watson, 1 rec., 3 yards 2-pt; Ayden Clark, 2 rec., 36 yards, Kevin Phillips, 1 rec., 16 yards; Bradley Eaton, 2 rec., 54 yards, 1 TD; Antwon Walker, 5 rec., 82 yards, 2-pt.
Galesburg penalties – 4/45 yards
Looking ahead: Homecoming vs. United Township
Galesburg is 1-1on the season and plays its first Western Big 6 Conference game against United Township at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12. That will be homecoming for the Silver Streaks. United Township is 2-0, which includes a 56-0 rout of Muchin College Prep on Friday.
