Quarterback Santana Allen was the leader in the rout of Edwardsville with six total touchdowns, 287 yards passing, a 156.2 QBR, and 369 all-purpose yards. Running back Albert Gooden added balance while rushing for 112 yards and two touchdowns and catching a 36-yard pass and a reception touchdown for a total of three touchdowns.
The Bears’ receivers made the most of Allen’s efficiency. Two touchdowns each were scored by Daylen Lewis and Tariaq Okocha. Antonio Williams and Cameron Vaughn added a receiving touchdown of their own.
Defensively, Lawrence Central forced seven turnovers, including one pick-six. Linebacker Lawrence Skelton had an impressive stat line with six tackles, one sack, two QB hurries, one interception, two forced fumbles, and two recoveries. Jayden Dorsey had five tackles and an interception in the secondary, while Elijah Woodfork added three tackles, one interception, and one pass breakup to hold Missouri commit Devyon Hill-Lomax to two receptions on six targets after his first touchdown.
Edwardsville started the game with a 46-yard touchdown pass from Yale Weaver to Hill-Lomax for a 7–0 lead. Lawrence Central quickly responded with three straight scores with an Allen touchdown pass to Okocha, a defensive interception return for a touchdown, and a Gooden rushing touchdown to take a 21–7 first-quarter lead.
The Tigers closed the gap in the second quarter on the second touchdown pass by Weaver and short run by Oliver Brown and they cut the margin to 28–21.
Lawrence Central answered with three straight touchdowns before halftime. Allen passed to Lewis and Gooden for touchdowns, then to Okocha again in the end zone. The Bears led 42–21 at halftime.
In the second half, the Bears’ defense picked up. Skelton registered two forced and recovered fumbles, intercepted Weaver, and added a sack. Dorsey had an interception, and Woodfork blanked Hill-Lomax while adding a pick of his own.
Since Edwardsville was unable to advance the ball, Lawrence Central’s offense kept rolling. Gooden had his second rushing score, Allen with Lewis again, and Williams and Vaughn each caught scoring passes. The Bears led 55–21 after the third quarter. A fourth-quarter touchdown to start the running clock was also the final score in a 61–21 margin.
The 61 points were Lawrence Central’s most in an offense since 2015. Edwardsville gave up its most since more than 30 years ago and took its worst loss since a 58–0 loss to East St. Louis in 2021.
Two Lawrence Central standouts have been nominated for IndyStar Player of the Week honors after Friday’s 61–21 win over Edwardsville (IL).
Quarterback Santana Allen accounted for six total touchdowns, 287 passing yards, and 369 all-purpose yards in a career-best performance. On the other side of the ball, defensive back Elijah Woodfork recorded three tackles, an interception, and a pass breakup, while holding Missouri commit Devyon Hill-Lomax to just three catches on seven targets.
Fans can vote on the IndyStar website to determine this week’s winner.
Lawrence Central improved to 2–1 and Edwardsville dropped to 0–2 with the victory. The Bears take on Warren Central at home for their next game.
