Turnovers help sink Mattoon in 43-3 loss to Collinsville

Mattoon had trouble all evening generating offense and turned over the ball four times that led to scores in a 43-3 football loss to Collinsville on Friday night.

Collinsville scored first when Mattoon fumbled on its own 10-yard line.

Kaden Junge kicked a 32-yard field goal to tie the score after Taeriek Grace had kept the drive alive earlier by getting a first down on a fake punt run.

The Green Wave appeared to be in good shape, down just 7-3 early in the second quarter.

But another turnover hurt Mattoon – a 25-tard interception return for a touchdown by Darren Pennell that made it 14-3.

Collinsville tacked on another short scoring drive after an errant snap pinned Mattoon deep in its own territory at its own 1-yard line. Junge did all he could to get the punt the ball away, but it was returned inside the Green Wave 5-yard line.

Jerry Richardson’s 2-yard run gave the Kahoks a 20-3 at halftime.

Each team generated fewer than 75 yards of total offense in the first half.

Mattoon’s struggles continued in the second half as Collinsville took advantage of a depleted Green Wave defense due to apparent injuries to score three more times and force a running clock.

MHS coach Jared Kimbrough said the team continues to hurt itself with turnovers, which is something the coaching staff will work to correct.

Mattoon next plays Friday against Lincoln in its homecoming game.