I8FA playoffs - Milledgeville 22, South Beloit 6

MILLEDGEVILLE, Ill. — The South Beloit SOBOs fell short in a hard-fought I8FA second-round playoff game Saturday, losing 22-6 to top-seeded Milledgeville after a string of turnovers, penalties, and missed opportunities derailed any sustained offensive rhythm for the visitors.

Milledgeville, the tournament’s No. 1 seed, improved to 11-0 with the victory while South Beloit closed its season at 8-3, cementing the game as a classic underdog outing that ran out of time and chances for the SOBOs.

The Missiles struck first and often enough to keep South Beloit from mounting a consistent comeback. The game was scoreless through the early part of the second quarter. Milledgeville then got two scores and missed and made a two-point conversion, leading 14-0. The SOBOs then got a 25-yard TD catch from to senior Landon Reed, a missed two-point conversion and the halftime score was 14-6. The Missiles got a short TD run and converted the two-point conversion to end the game's scoring.

South Beloit’s offense flashed some good plays but mistakes again stopped any drives leading to scoring chances. Critical turnovers — including fumbles and bobbled snaps — killed promising drives and handed Milledgeville key field position in the second and fourth quarters. Penalties loomed large as well; South Beloit was flagged repeatedly at inopportune moments, erasing gains and stalling momentum.

Milledgeville’s balanced attack produced the bulk of the Missiles’ points. The home team converted two short drives into touchdowns. Milledgeville’s defense capitalized on South Beloit miscues, producing a pair of takeaways that led directly to points in the second half.

Statistically, Milledgeville outgained South Beloit on the ground and in total offense, controlling the line of scrimmage and the clock for long stretches. The Missiles finished with the ball for the final two possession sequences, running out the clock and preventing the SOBOs from getting their playmakers any sustained snaps.

Special teams played a subtle but important role. A blocked punt and a long return set up Milledgeville in scoring range midway through the third quarter.

Players on South Beloit lauded their seniors and the season they put together, while also acknowledging that penalties and turnovers are fixable mistakes that will sting until corrected in off-season work.

Milledgeville advances to the next round of the I8FA playoffs; South Beloit departs with a season of pride and a roster that returns several key contributors hungry for another shot next fall.

Thank you to Pietro's Pizzeria for hosting a group of SOBO fans and me to watch the game from the comforts of their beautiful restaurant.