Windsor tops Eureka 17-14

A late score proved not to be enough as Eureka fell 17-14 to visiting Windsor Friday night at Albee Stadium.

After a scoreless first quarter highlighted by Eureka’s Trent Morrow, who hauled in an interception in the endzone to stop Windsor’s opening drive in its tracks, Eureka gained the game’s first lead midway through the second quarter.

Trevor Bell dumped a short pass off to Lamarie Dunn who spun out of a pair of tackles near the visitor’s sideline before turning up field and breaking away for a 55-yard touchdown.

The score was set up by a goal-line stop by Eureka’s defense. On fourth down Eureka’s Chase Steubing met Windsor’s running back Lorenzo Leon three yards from the goal line and stopped the ball carrier in his tracks, forcing Windsor to turn the ball over on downs.

Eureka’s offense went 3-and-out in the shadow of its own endzone and on the ensuing punt Justice Woods came up with a fumble recovery after Windsor’s return man dropped the ball near midfield. A few players later Dunn gave the Loggers its only lead of the night.

Windsor responded on its following possession with a quick touchdown drive capped off by a touchdown pass from quarterback Billy Boyle to Landen Estrela.

The game moved into halftime tied 7-7.

Eureka was saved an early second half deficit after a block in the back call nullified what would have been an 80-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Windsor to open the third quarter.

Windsor still managed to seize a lead later in the frame as Ottis Cain booted a 20-yard field goal through the uprights with 5:25 to play in the quarter.

Eureka nearly retook the lead early in the fourth quarter but after driving to Windsor’s 5-yard-line Bell threw an interception to Estrela.

Windsor took the wind out of Albee Stadium later in the final frame as Boyle found Nico Contreras for a 92-yard catch-and-run touchdown with just over two minutes to play. The score put Windsor ahead 17-7.

With 90 seconds to play Bell found Josiah Graham for an 80-yard touchdown but the play was called back due to an ineligible man down field call on Eureka. Eureka added a late touchdown with 31 seconds left on a play which saw Bell scramble around in the pocket before finding Morrow for a 68-yard strike.

However Eureka’s ensuing onside kick failed and Windsor took a knee, and the win.

Eureka (0-2) will begin a daunting road trip which will see the Loggers play four away games in five weeks. Stop No. 1 is Palo Cedro, where Eureka will take on Foothill Sept. 6. Windsor (2-0) will return home next week to host Livermore on Sept. 6.