Saturday, Sep. 06, 2008

Edwardsville breezes past Corliss; RB scores TDs on his first three carries

EDWARDSVILLE -- Edwardsville sophomore running back Reggie Box got only three carries in the first half against Chicago Corliss, but he made the most of them.

Box had touchdown runs of 9, 22 and 33 yards the first three times he touched the ball as the Tigers shut out the Trojans 49-0 Friday.

"I was trying for four, but I couldn't get it," said Box, who had a 2-yard gain and a 9-yard gain on his only carries of the second half. "I absolutely have to thank my blockers. They're the best. They got me the holes, and I did my best to get through them for touchdowns."

The win christened the Tigers' new artificial surface.

It also marked the first home victory under new coach Mark Bliss, who had his team parade single file along the stands giving high-fives to their fans as the theme song from the movie "Last of the Mohicans" played in the background after the game.

"That's something we've always done everywhere I have been," Bliss said. "You know that NFL Nike commercial that has Steven Jackson reaching over the goal line with three guys dragging behind him, that's where that is from. That's the song. We vary the songs from year to year. At the end of the night when we're at home, it's sort of a tradition, and one that I love doing."

All three of the Tigers' quarterbacks scored during the blow out. Senior Ismiah Roundtree had an 8-yard touchdown run, junior Zach Bunjan threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to Joe Randazzo and sophomore Chase Westra had an 8-yard touchdown run.

Roundtree sat out the second half after sustaining a mild ankle sprain in the first half.

"We didn't want to take any chances because we knew the game was in hand," Bliss said of Roundtree. "It's nothing serious. He'll be back."

The Tigers' other touchdown came on a 22-yard yard run by Robbie Brueggemen, who came to a dead stop near the 10-yard line and then cut left to avoid a defender.

The Tigers' defense limited the Trojans to 15 total yards of offense and one first down in the first half.

The Tigers also blocked three punts.

"We have great defensive coaches, and they did a spectacular job of prepping our kids," Bliss said. "Where we're lacking and where we're a little bit behind is our offense. Our offense has to catch up to our defense."

Contact reporter Steve Korte at skorte@bnd.com or 239-2522.