Hononegah traveled to Guilford and lost 17-10
The score was tied for most of the first half.
Swanson Stadium, Rockford, IL - Kickoff between the 2-1 Hononegah Indians and the 2-1 host Guilford Vikings started with a kickoff at 7:13 pm. Gametime temp was a very comfortable 75 degrees on Sept. 20, 2025.
The energy coming from the crowds could be felt on the sidelines. The Guilford Vikings fans knew this would be one of their best shots to take down the conference standard bearers in Hononegah.
In the first quarter, neither team was able to put together a scoring drive, and the scoreboard read 0-0.
The second quarter played out much like the first, each team swinging and missing. Hononegah was able to stop a couple of Guilford drives by causing turnovers. The Indians' offense couldn't seem to get things going after the turnovers. The game was scoreless with 1:53 left in the 2nd quarter. Then Guilford got a Greyson Weber pass complete to Messiah Tilson for a 32-yard touchdown. PAT was good and the Viking led 7-0.
On the ensuing kickoff, Brady Jarvis returned it for 75 yds. It looked as though Jarvis had been stopped, but Brady kept fighting and was able to break loose and outrun the Vikings for the kickoff return. PAT was good, and the game was tied at 7.
The Vikings received the kickoff and marched down the field, finally getting a Chris Porter 8-yard touchdown run with 12 seconds left on the 2nd quarter clock. When the clock read 0:00 after two quarters, the Indians were behind 14-7.
Coming out of halftime, the energy and aggressiveness seemed to be slanted toward Hononegah. Guilford was able to make some plays to stall the Indian drives for most of the 3rd. However, Hononegah was able to get into field goal range at the end of the 3rd quarter and got a Jaxon Sanchez 38-yard field goal to cut the seven-point margin to just four heading to the 4th.
The 4th quarter was a battle of wills between two of the best teams in the NIC 10. Guilford tried to pound the ball with Chris Porter, but the Indian defense kept tackling as a team and pushed the Vikings into 3rd and long stops, and were able to get off the field when they needed to. A short drive cost the Indians as they gave the Vikings a short field and allowed them to get a Miles Groh 25-yard Field Goal to make the score 17-10. The Hononegah offense seemed to be able to move the ball, but when needed, the University of Kentucky recruit, Messiah Tilson for Guilford, stepped up and made a couple of big-time interceptions to seal the win for Guilford.
The Hononegah offense seemed to be able to move the ball, but when needed, the University of Kentucky recruit, Messiah Tilson for Guilford, stepped up and made a couple of big-time interceptions to seal the win for Guilford.
Guilford 17
Hononegah 10.
Guilford moves to 3-1
Hononegah drops to 2-2 with a tough game at home against Freeport on September 26, 2025.
