AMBOY – Domination would be an understatement of the Amboy-LaMoille-Ohio football team’s 64-6 victory over Bushnell-Prairie City on Saturday, Oct. 26 at The Harbor.

The Clippers jumped ahead fast and cruised to a Week 9 Illinois 8-Man Football Association victory by taking a 32-0 lead after the first quarter, 48-0 at halftime, and 56-6 after three frames before scoring an eighth touchdown in the fourth quarter.

A-L-O had a lot to play for as it was Senior Night, the last home game of the regular season, playoff seeding could have been affected, and there was a special, new tradition initiated after the game.

“During practices the last week, we’ve been really working on our steps and getting our shoulders where they’re supposed to be to help us execute. It’s all about executing, executing, executing,” said Dillon Merriman, senior offensive and defensive lineman. “I think we have grown as a team and as individuals throughout the season. We’ve become a very good team. We bend sometimes, but we don’t break. It’s amazing to be in the trenches, putting in the work. It feels good to know we’re making the holes for our backs to get through.”

Senior back and linebacker Brayden Klein had two runs for 50 yards and the first score of the game on a 28-yard carry.

Eddie Jones, senior quarterback, helped score the second touchdown as he found senior tight end Caleb Yanos for a 34-yard pass and catch. Senior Josh McKendry took a 12-yard rush into the end zone before Jones found Yanos again (24 yards) for the last score of the first frame.

The second quarter saw McKendry (eight carries for 67 yards) get his second score of the game on a 7-yard score and senior Quinn Leffelman (six carries for 83 yards) found paydirt on a 2-yard push up the middle.

“All four of us, Quinn, Ed Frey (three carries for 53 yards), Josh, and myself, make the most out of every carry we get,” Klein said. “Our success wouldn’t be where it’s at without our linemen. We want to thank them first. We’re one big family. When one of us fall down, there is someone there to pick him back up. We don’t leave anyone behind.

“I was nervous because it’s a feeling I’m going to remember forever. It’s the last regular season game, but we’re all looking forward to the second season. We are excited for the playoffs. Hopefully, we make another championship run.

“We know we can’t let up. We’re not going to let off of the gas pedal. Whatever happened in the regular season, we’re forgetting about it, because we have playoffs to play.”

The second half started with Bushnell erasing their goose egg on the scoreboard with an 83-yard touchdown run with 10:58 on the third quarter clock.

Amboy answered quickly as senior Tyler Huggins exploded for a 42-yard score two minutes later. Sophomore Colt McCoy secured the last points of the game on a 66-yard interception return touchdown.

“It was a great day for the seniors. All of them got in the game. Everyone got to play some different spots than they usually play,” said Clippers coach Scott Payne. “It’s a good way to end the regular season. I told them to enjoy the win, but once we find out how we play in the postseason, it’s a whole new season next week.

“We had a great year with an 8-1 record. I’m proud of these guys. They’re guaranteed one more home game, so they’ll get to play at The Harbor at least once more.”

In efforts to start a new tradition, after the game, the AHS seniors lined up and walked half of the field to meet Amboy fourth graders. The seniors unstrapped their helmets and put them on the fourth graders in an emotional, passing the torch moment, which had cheerleaders, parents, grandparents, and teachers tearing.

With senior night and torch passing behind them, the No. 4-seeded Clippers are now gearing up for the I8FA postseason as they’ll meet No. 13 West Central at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2 in an opening round game in Amboy.

Amboy defeated West Central 50-8 in Week 8.

“We’ve gotten better every week and that’s the important thing. I told the kids this was probably the best all-around game we’ve played all season,” Payne said. “This is the best time of the year for us to turn it on like that.”