EPG’s two pick-sixes were the difference in 2A quarterfinal win over Farmington

By WMBD TV

EL PASO, Ill. (WMBD) – El Paso Gridley will be the lone Central Illinois football team still alive in the IHSA state semifinals.

Their high-powered offense has received plenty of regional attention, and for good reason. But the Titans rock-solid defense has mostly slid under the radar.

That was until Saturday night when two pick-sixes from Braden Gibson and Chavon Maxon were the difference in a 32-15 quarterfinal win over Farmington.

Both young men said their eyes lit up when they realized they had the ball.

I read it super well I knew was going to go off his helmet. I had to play it slow. I got pushed a little bit. I didn’t know if I was going to get about it. I just ran to te touchdown. Coach underestimated our defense at the start of the season, so we had to prove him wrong. He thought our offense would carry us and like we have a really good offense, but we had to show him up.

Chavon Maxon

Oh yeah…I was kind of in shock. I kind of thought and I sat there for a second and I knew I had the ball. I just took off. We’re still hard on each other, like we call each other out in a good way. We’re not bashing each other, but we’re calling each other out. Know what to fix and what not to do.

Braden Gibson

I just appreciate everything they do. Our defense coordinator, Brian Hassett, and our defensive coaches do a great job preparing those guys each and every week. I think coming into the year, if you have said the defense would be as strong as it was, you know, we just we had some question marks up there. We were replacing some guys from last year that were good players and whatnot. We were playing some young kids. I’m just really proud of the effort they put in

Tanner Benedict, Head Coach

EPG will face Wilmington on the road at 5:00 next Saturday.

WMBD TV can be reached at News@WJBC.com.