FOOTBALL ROUNDUP: FCW suffers first 8-man defeat in Edwardsville

EDWARDSVILLE — The odd-numbered weeks have been lopsided victories so far for the Flanagan-Cornell/Woodland Falcons, while even-numbered weeks have brought thrillers.

That pattern remained true Friday when FCW visited Edwardsville Metro-East Lutheran ... but unlike Week 2, this time the Falcons came out on the wrong side of a close contest.

FCW fell 21-18 to Metro-East Lutheran, scoring in the fourth quarter to draw within a score but not able to complete the comeback. The Falcons — who trailed from midway through the opening quarter on — fall to 3-1 on the season.

J.D. Ruddy (3-yard run), Jesse Simpson (16-yard run) and Dallas Hamilton (38-yard reception off a Tavarre Phifer pass) scored touchdowns for FCW, but the Falcons' 0-for-3 efforts on two-point conversions proved costly.

Phifer rushed 16 times for 110 yards, while Braden Wallace completed 5 of 6 passes for 18 yards to pace the FCW offense. Dameon Hunter led the defensive attack with 3 1/2 tackles for loss and a quarterback sack.

Metro-East's Cameron Gusewelle rushed for 224 yards and three touchdowns.

Frosh/soph/JV football

Reed-Custer 21, Streator 18

At Braidwood, the visiting Bullpups (3-1) fell behind 13-0 and suffered their first defeat of the season.

Cade Stevens rushed for 138 yards, while Seth Miles ran for 26 yards and a touchdown. Tre McKinnie (49 yards) and Jaron Black (35 yards) each caught long touchdown passes from Tyler Luckey (128 yards, two TDs passing).

Sycamore 48, Ottawa 0

At Sycamore, the visiting Vikings were shut out despite 22 yards rushing from Aiden Mucci and 25 courtesy of Levi Sheehan. Branden Agguire recorded five tackles, including one for a loss.