"Rivalry Week" --- even in 2020's uncertainty (and shortened season), can still generate excitement and motivation. And, in Highland County, it doesn't get much better than McClain vs. Hillsboro!
Add this to the mix: that each team was still seeking a first win that could make this season memorable for a positive reason. It all played out as the Hillsboro Indians hosted the McClain Tigers at Richards Memorial Field and came away with a 21-16 victory over their Highland County arch-rival.
In the first quarter the Indians started as if they were going to dominate. The running game, with Bryce Parsons leading the way, got the ball close to the Tigers' goal line. The first score of the game then came at the 1:28 mark with Travis Ross taking it in from the 2 yard line (the PAT kick was good by Nick Turner) and HHS had the lead at 7-0.
However, McClain clearly gained the momentum in the second stanza with QB Braden Wright racing 30 yards to enable the Tigers to tie the game at 7-7.
Hillsboro, on the ensuing possession, had a punt blocked that rolled into the end zone and was recovered by McClain for another touchdown (extra point was blocked) and now HHS was training for the first time 13-7.
With all that had happened in the second period, the scoring was not finished. Hillsboro QB Christopher Stout, with only 57 seconds left, hit Canaan Griffith with a 32 yard touchdown pass (PAT kick by Turner) to give the home team a 14-13 lead at the intermission. In the seesaw nature of the game, the third quarter had only one score -- that a 37 yard field goal by McClain's kicker Braeden Bergstrom (with only 25 seconds remaining) to once again put Greenfield on top 16-14.
What a finish was in store for this year's edition of the Tigers vs the Indians. With only 5: 09 left on the clock, Bryce Parsons bolted 30 yards up the middle of the defense to "take it to the house" and give Hillsboro their 5th straight win in the series. When Turner added the extra point, that put an end to the scoring and HHS had earned that first win of the year by the final of 21-16.
The Indians will play at Unioto next Saturday in the first round of the OHSAA play-offs and can be heard on WSRW 101.5FM/1590AM and worldwide on our free iHeart Radio app. Airtime 6:40pm