The Vermilion Ironhawks went in as huge underdogs last Saturday against traditional junior college powerhouse DuPage.
Those who gathered at Ely School Stadium quickly found out why.
The Illinois school never punted as it picked apart the Vermilion defense in every way possible, rolling to an 82-0 victory that may have even been more lopsided than the final score indicated.
DuPage (5-1) scored 54 first-half points, picked off four Vermilion passes and held the host Ironhawks to just 91 yards of total offense.
It was the biggest point differential in the history of the Vermilion program, and the first time the Ironhawks took on DuPage, which is located near Chicago, since a 1986 junior college bowl game also domianted by the Chaps.
DuPage came to Ely with two buses and the number- one ranking among all junior college football teams in the NJCAA Division III ranks.
The Chaps scored at will in the opening half and for the game they averaged 9.3 yards per rushing attempt.
It was 30-0 after one quarter, 54-0 by the break and DuPage added four more touchdowns in a second half played in running time.
Mark Washington-Melton led the rushing attack with 92 yards, while Twaine Phillips rushed three times for 48 yards and a touchdown. Damari Jones added 42 yards and two touchdowns on three carries, while Yven Quenum also scored twice on the ground.
Three quarterbacks saw action for DuPage, with each attempting at least five passes. Starter Reed Myers completed 80 percent of his passes, while Justus Byrd went seven-for-13 for 96 yards and two touchdowns. Phillips completed four passes for 84 yards and two touchdowns.
Nine different Chaps recorded receptions. Ishmael George led the way with three catches for 51 yards and a touchdown. Pat Pitello added two receptions for 44 yards and a touchdown, while Sebastian Bracius caught two passes for 21 yards and a touchdown.
Quenum recorded the longest pass play of the afternoon, a 39-yard touchdown reception, giving him three total touchdowns in the game.
The DuPage defense held Vermilion to just 91 yards of total offense, including 11 rushing yards on 1.1 yards per carry.
Koni Kamba, Sterling Williams, Javon Brisker and Deegan Prater each recorded an interception, with Williams returning his pick 38 yards.
The Chaps were perfect on special teams, converting all 11 of their extra-point attempts, with Max Weber connecting on a 35-yard field goal, while Dean Romano was six-for six on extra points.
For Vermilion, quarterback Ricky Reyes passed for 54 yards, with Reggie Miller having a 35-yard reception.
Vermilion’s Freddy Lucero had seven total tackles while Jaime Ramirez was in on five stops and Cadereon Polk and Christian Jaimes finished with four each.
The Ironhawks are back in action today at Fergus Falls and they make their final home appearance on Saturday, Oct. 10, against North Dakota State College of Science.
