tball match, the host Waterloo Bulldogs came up with some late magic to survive and advance Saturday afternoon against a tough Taylorville squad.

The Waterloo fans were amped up at the start, but the Tornadoes from Taylorville swept away that early momentum with a quick touchdown to take a 6-0 lead just more than three minutes in. Taylorville failed to convert its two-point try. Waterloo running back Derez Sayles continued his breakout junior season with a 72-yard TD run less than 20 seconds later to even the score at 6-6. The Bulldogs missed their extra point kick.

Back and forth the game went, as Taylorville returned the ensuing kickoff 85 yards for a TD and a 13-6 lead. 

Sayles answered with another long TD run, this one from 50 yards out, and the game was even again at 13-13.

Taylorville scored on a short TD run to carry a 20-13 lead following what was an exciting first quarter of play.

The scoring dropped off dramatically from there – the only points in the second quarter scored on a short field goal by Taylorville after one of its players dropped a TD pass in the endzone. 

The Tornadoes led 23-13 at halftime. 

Waterloo’s offense turned over the ball twice in the first half on an interception and lost fumble. It was the Bulldogs’ turn to force turnovers in the second half, however.

But first, it was Sayles answering the bell yet again. He scored on a 51-yard run midway through the third quarter to make it a 23-19 contest. Sayles finished the game with 218 yards rushing on 20 carries.  

For the season, Sayles has 1,349 yards rushing and 23 TDs. He’s averaging 9.6 yards per carry and has five  TD runs of 50 yards or more over the past two games.

With the score remaining slightly in favor of Taylorville deep into the fourth quarter, Waterloo’s Owen Niebruegge made the clutch play of the game on defense. 

He intercepted a Taylorville pass and ran it back 55 yards for a score that sent Bulldogs fans into a frenzy and put his team up 26-23 with 4:23 remaining in the contest.

“Owen is a film junkie and is like another coach on the field,” Waterloo assistant coach Chase Guercio said. “He diagnosed a play he had seen earlier in the game, broke on the ball, and didn’t second guess himself for a second. He’s an outstanding player, leader and person, and I’m glad he’s on our side.” 

An interception by Chris Pete gave the ‘Dogs another scoring opportunity, which Waterloo quarterback Conrad Lindhorst capitalized on with a short TD run. The Bulldogs went up 33-23 with just two minutes left on the clock.

Taylorville countered with a TD pass in the final minute, setting up a crucial onside kick that the Bulldogs recovered. 

With the 33-30 victory, Waterloo (9-1) moves on and will host Cahokia (8-2) in a second round Class 4A playoff battle this Saturday at 1 p.m. 

Cahokia (8-2) won 30-17 at home over Columbia on Friday. 

Patrick O’Donnell was Waterloo’s leading tackler on the day, recording six tackles and three assists.

Guercio also praised the defensive play of Drake Fry, who made a couple of touchdown-saving tackles and forced two Taylorville turnovers.

As for this Saturday, Guercio said the Bulldogs will be ready for a tough Cahokia squad. Controlling the time of possession will be key.

“Cahokia is a very talented football team, but our kids have earned the right to feel confident going into the game,” he said. “I know they won’t back down from the challenge.”

Guercio also said this year’s squad has played in close games all season and hasn’t blinked in the face of adversity.

“I think it speaks to the program (Waterloo head coach Dan) Rose has created here that the kids believe they can win when the game is hanging in the balance,” Guercio said.

Waterloo assistant Jake Schneider agreed.

“We are really proud of the resilience the team showed to find a way to get it done despite the mistakes and multiple key injuries throughout the game,” he said. “You hear ‘survive and advance’ all the time but there’s a reason everyone says it. Postseason is a different monster. Everyone is playing for the life of their season or football career. When we needed it most, our guys came up with clutch plays needed to win the game. We look forward to the next opportunity on Saturday.”

The win over Taylorville was Waterloo’s second playoff victory in three years, but just the third postseason win for the program since 1994. 

See photos from Saturday’s playoff game by clicking here.