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Not even the homecoming crowd could cheer the Elgin football team on to victory Friday, Sept. 19.
The Wildcats fell 45-14 against the McCallum Knights in the District 12-5A-Division II opener for both teams at Elgin High School. The loss dropped Elgin to 0-4 this season and 0-1 in league play.
The Wildcats continue to search for their first win. The loss also marked the Wildcats’ toughest start since 2021, when they finished 0-10. Senior Jeremiah Nicholson got the start at quarterback but swapped playing time with senior Noah Vizcarra.
The game began with a costly decision on Elgin’s opening drive. Facing fourth-and-short at their own 35-yard line, the Wildcats went for it but were stuffed by the McCallum defense.
The Knights turned the short field into points, finishing the drive with a 5-yard rushing touchdown to go up 7-0.
Things quickly snowballed when McCallum extended the lead on Elgin’s next possession. Vizcarra’s pass was intercepted and returned 55 yards for a touchdown, putting the Knights ahead 14-0 midway through the first quarter.
Elgin finally found an answer after special teams provided a spark. A muffed punt by McCallum recovered by senior Bryce Barron set the Wildcats up inside the Knights’ 15-yard line. Elgin took advantage of the opportunity, finishing the short drive with a 1-yard rushing touchdown by senior quarterback Michael Mejias to cut the deficit to 14-7.
The Wildcats stopped the Knights offense inside their own 10-yard line as McCallum settled for a field goal to make it 17-7. McCallum built on its lead with a 12-yard quarterback run as it took a 24-7 lead going into halftime.
The Knights opened the half with a touchdown to make it 31-7 after a fake screen created a busted coverage leading to a wide open 20yard touchdown pass.
Elgin responded on the next play with a 75-yard rushing touchdown from Mejias for his second of the night to cut the lead to 31-14. Mejias has now accounted for all four of the Wildcats touchdowns this season.
The Knights put the game away with a 25-yard rushing touchdown and a 9-yard rushing score to cap the victory 45-14.
Elgin’s defense has now given up over 40 points in all four of its games, while scoring just 27 total points during those contests.
The Wildcats will try to rebound Thursday, Sept. 25, on the road against Pflugerville. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at The Pfield.
