Eureka lost 40-37 at unbeaten Ladue Horton Watkins on Friday, Oct. 9, after the Rams recovered a Wildcats fumble in overtime to seal the victory.

The Wildcats lost 40-37 in overtime to Ladue Horton Watkins, dropping to 5-2 on the season. The Rams improved to 7-0, according to Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) records.

Ladue kicker Gavin Bader connected on two field goals in overtime to give the Rams the edge, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported. Ladue then recovered a Eureka fumble to seal the win.

Ladue senior Kody Anderson broke free for a touchdown run, splitting Eureka senior Lincoln Rausch and junior Logan White. Late in the fourth quarter, a pass interference penalty on White against Ladue junior Trevor Walker kept a Rams drive alive. Eureka junior Amaud Brown nearly came up with a big play but could not hold onto a tipped ball in the end zone.

Junior quarterback Zac Kem led the Wildcats' offense, which put up 37 points against a Ladue defense that had allowed just 18.4 points per game entering the contest. Eureka entered averaging 38 points per game.

Junior Curtis Harris was among the key ball carriers for head coach Jake Sumner's squad. Senior running back Brandon Webb has been out since an injury during the Rockwood Summit game, according to the Leader Paper.

Before the game, Kem told the Leader Paper he believed in his team's firepower. "This is one of the most dangerous offenses we've ever had," Kem said in the Oct. 9 feature.

It was the second overtime game of the season for Eureka, which opened 2026 with a 49-48 overtime win over Troy. The Wildcats came out on the wrong side this time against a Ladue squad that had scored 50 or more points three times this season.

Both teams compete in Class 5 but in different districts. Eureka held the No. 1 seed in Class 5 District 2 entering the game.

Eureka travels to Lafayette in Wildwood on Friday, Oct. 16, then closes the regular season at home against Lindbergh on Friday, Oct. 23.