Ohio Locker Room - ’Cats down Indians 20-18

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’Cats down Indians 20-18

Friday, 26 September 2008

By STEPHEN FORSHA

Brown News Service

HILLSBORO — The final minute between the Hillsboro and Blanchester non-league game rode a wave of emotions for both teams, as there was plenty of drama with a missed field goal, a fumble and an interception in that order, as Blanchester came out on top with a 20-18 victory at Richards Memorial Field.

Though Hillsboro’s Airic Steagall missed a field goal with 1:33 remaining in the fourth, the Indians didn’t give up hope, as Jordan Stratton recovered a fumble, when Blanchester fumbled on a pitch attempt on its own 8-yard line. With the ball on the 8-yard line, the Indians had a penalty, that forced first-and 21. Aric Carroll’s pass was intercepted by Blanchester junior Matt Yonker with 23.9 seconds left in the game to seal the first win of the season for the Wildcats.

“I am really proud of the kids. They played hard for all four quarters,” Blanchester head coach John Lovin said. “I am most proud of the fact we were an 0-5 team and down 12-0 and the kids stuck in there and earned the victory.”

Though Hillsboro dropped to 1-5 after the non-league loss, the efforts by Steagall on the ground kept the Indians in the game, as the junior running back finished with 266 yards on the ground.

“Airic (Steagall) had a couple big runs for us and played hard,” Hillsboro head coach Duane Earley said. “You can’t fault the effort by our team. He had some miscues and we shot ourselves in the foot time after time. About anything that could happen, did happen.”

With the rushing attack by Steagall, the Indians scored first in the game, as Steagall carried the ball for the first six plays that Hillsboro. After Carroll converted a fourth-and-2, Steagall carried the ball for 13 yards to the Blanchester 8-yard line. After Christian Wildey carried the ball to the BHS 3-yard line, Carroll took the ball into the end zone with 7:27 left in the first. The PAT attempt was no good, leaving the score 6-0.

After Blanchester’s Thomas Bare returned the ball 34 yards on the kick off, the Indians forced a three-and-out, then capitalized on the defensive stand. Taking less than two minutes, the Indians took the ball to the end zone, as Steagall went around the corner and down the Hillsboro sideline, taking the ball 82 yards for a touchdown. The 2-point conversion attempt was stopped by Blanchester, giving Hillsboro a 12-0 advantage.

Blanchester forced a punt earley in the second quarter, followed on offense with a 7-yard run by Blake Bella. After runs by Younker, Coy Burroughs took the ball 40 yards down to the Hillsboro 4-yard line on a second-and-5 situation for a first down. The Wildcats scored on first-and-goal, when Bella ran through the middle of the defense for a 4-yard touchdown with 8:37 remaining in the first half. The 2-point conversion attempt was no good, making the score 12-6.

Hillsboro didn’t back down after the score for Blanchester, with Steagall carrying the ball 6 yards, followed by a 40-yard pass reception, as Carroll found Logan Walker in the middle of the field, putting the ball on the Blanchester 34-yard line. Carroll again found Walker through the air for 14 yards, followed with a 13-yard run by Dylan Hunter.

On second-and-goal Steagall took the ball 5 yards for a touchdown with 4:25 left in the second quarter. Hillsboro missed the 2-point conversion attempt, giving Hillsboro a 18-6 lead.

Special team once again helped the Wildcats, as Bare took the ball from his own 20-yard line, taking the ball all the way down to the Hillsboro 15-yard line for a 65-yard kick off return with 4:41 left in the first half. Three plays later on third-and-2 from the Hillsboro 7-yard line, Burroughs broke two tackles, landing into the end zone for a touchdown with 3:00 left in the second quarter.

Blanchester converted the 2-point conversion attempt with a run from Bella, cutting the Hillsboro lead down to four points, at 18-14. On the ensuring possession, Steagall carried the ball 50 yards down to the Blanchester 15, but the Indians were unable to score, as they turned over the ball on downs. Late in the third quarter with the score still 18-14, Steagall continued to gain yards on the ground with carries of 6, 5, 10 and 9, putting the ball on the Blanchester 34-yard line.

But on second-and-one, a fumble by Hillsboro was recovered by Blanchester with 1:50 left in the third. Unable to capitalize on the Hillsboro fumble, the Wildcats forced another fumble with 10:41 left in the game, as the Wildcats recovered on their own 38-yard line. This time Blanchester took advantage of the Indians’ mistakes, with Bella finding Burroughs on a half back pass for 18 yards on a third-and-10 situation.

On the next play, Bella carried the ball for 9 yards. Later in the drive, Bella gained a first down on a 32-yard carry, taking the ball to the Hillsboro 3-yard line. On first-and-goal, Blanchester took the lead with 6:39 left in the contest, as Kaleb Runyon pounded his way for 3 yards for a touchdown. Blanchester missed the 2-point conversion attempt, giving the Wildcats a 20-18 lead.

Lovin was excited for his kids for earning their first win of the season.

“The kids have worked hard and they went back to playing smash mouth football tonight,” Lovin said. “We ganged tackled and just played hard. Both teams played well and this is a big win for us.”

With the loss, Hillsboro drops to 1-5 overall, staying 0-2 in the SCOL. Blanchester stands at 1-5 overall and will face Williamsburg next week in league play.

“Brandon Doughman and Blake Bella stood out for us tonight and had great games,” Lovin said. “It’s been a rough season for us on and off the field and I just want to thank God for the win and he has been good to me through he good and rough times.”