As the student section slowly piled in decked out in their school spirit gear, there was a fun energy around the game on Oct. 11 against Belleville West. Why you might ask?

It was the homecoming game.

While the  game began with a strong drive from West, a fumble and a recovery by the Tigers would start off what would be a long night for the Maroons. Edwardsville then capitalized immediately with a touchdown pass just two plays later from junior quarterback Ryan Hampton.

What happened next was the beginning of a career night for junior Torrance Johnson. Johnson would start his night off with a 34-yard touchdown run, which would be his first of three for the night. His three touchdowns would contribute to the 40 points put up by the Tigers.

“He did a good job following his blockers,” senior kicker and linebacker Eric Epenesa said.

Johnson would collect 183 yards on only 18 carries for the evening.

“We’re all seniors, we know what to do and how to get it done,” senior Reid Kaburick said. “We had holes and he hit them.”

While Johnson’s spectacular performance should not go understated, you can’t help but acknowledge the defensive performances of the evening. After all, the Tigers did get their first offense possession following a fumble recovered by the defense.

The Maroons were held to just 14 points on the night.

“The defensive line got pressure all night,” senior linebacker Evan Ramierez said. “Our [defensive backs] were containing the secondary… they held receivers to minimum yards.”

This Tigers win brings them to 5-2 on the season and keeps them in second place in the Southwestern Conference.

EHS will play O’Fallon in a conference game on Oct. 18.