Hillsboro Falls Short To Chillicothe 36-30

The Chillicothe defense stopped Hillsboro runningback Josh Keets just short of the end zone on the final play of the game to defeat the Indians 36-30 to open Frontier Athletic Conference play in Hillsboro.

Hillsboro began the scoring on a 7 yard touchdown run by Mark Gallimore with 7:19 to play in the first quarter, but the extra point was missed to leave the score at 6-0.

Chillicothe answered on a J’Quan Harris touchdown run of 19 yards and with the extra point from Matt Detty, the Cavaliers lead 7-6 at the end of the period. 

In the 2nd quarter,the Cavaliers scored on a 44 yard touchdown pass from Adrian Beverly to Harris with 3:41 to play until halftime, but the Indians immediately answered with a long run from Keets and a short touchdown run and 2 point conversion by Dion Burns to draw even with the Cavaliers at 14-14.

With time still remaining in the half, the Cavaliers added another touchdown pass from Beverly, this time to Zach Coats to take a 20-14 lead at the half.

The Cavaliers scored on their first possession of the third quarter on another Beverly to Coats connection to take at 28-14 lead, but Hillsboro answered with another Burns touchdown, and Keets added the 2 point conversion to draw the Indians within 28-22.

In the fourth quarter, Hillsboro made a goal line stand, stopping the Cavaliers on a fourth and goal play and keeping Chillicothe from scoring a lead extending touchdown.

When the Indians failed to get a first down on their own possession, Hillsboro setup in punt formation from their own 12 yard line, but ran a beautifully executed fake punt to gain the first down in Chillicothe territory.

Hillsboro handed the football to Burns for 3 crushing runs, the last being a 19 yard touchdown run and with a 2 point conversion run by Gallimore, the Indians suddenly lead 30-28.

Harris once again setup Chillicothe with excellent field position after returning the Hillsboro kickoff into Indian territory, and with 3:49 left to play Harris scored again from 36 yards away, also added the 2 point conversion and the Cavaliers regained the lead 36-30.

Hillsboro’s final drive began on their own 20 yard line, and the Indians moved the ball just outside the Chillicothe 10 yard line with less than 10 seconds to play. A screen pass from Hillsboro quarterback Mason Swayne to Keets was Hillsboro’s final chance, and Keets was stopped inside the 1yard line as time expired to give the Chillicothe the victory, 36-30. 

Hillsboro (5-1/0-1) travels to Washington next week to face the Blue Lions, while Chillicothe (5-1/1-0 ) is on the road also at McClain.


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