High School Football Preview Week 5: Hillsboro travels to East Clinton; McClain set to visit CHCA

Hillsboro Indians (1-3) at East Clinton (2-2)

This is a battle between two former conference counterparts, as the Hillsboro Indians will be on the road for the third straight week to face the host East Clinton Astros for their Week 5 game.

The Astros enter this game at 2-2 overall, coming off a loss to the McClain Tigers last Friday night by a 22-6 score. ECHS also lost a game in Week 2 to Cedarville by a 35-0 score.

Their two wins came in Week 1 and Week 3 with victories against Huntington to start the season by a 12-0 score, and then again in Week 3 with a win against Fayetteville at 62-12.

East Clinton has scored 80 total points this season and allowed 69 points.

In their game against McClain in Week 4, East Clinton totaled 37 carries for 180 yards as a team and had 37 passing yards.

Glenn Peacock is a player to watch for the Astros, as the running back rushed 28 times for 166 yards in Week 4, and he collected one touchdown. Clayton Kimmey led the Astros in Week 4 with one catch for 27 yards. Quarterback Lukas Runk finished 3-of-15 for 37 yards with no interceptions and three interceptions.

The Indians (1-3) are coming off a 30-point loss, falling in Week 4 to Williamsburg 57-27, but there were some highlights as both Austin Barrett and Jeven Hochstuhl each rushed for over 100 yards. Barrett had over 130 yards rushing, and Hochstuhl finished with 147 yards rushing on eight carries with three touchdowns.

The Indians have scored 144 points (36 points per game average) and have allowed 163 points (41 points per game average) through the first four games of ’23.

Also in ’23, the Indians have scored no less than 19 points in a game and have scored as many as 56 points.

Last season, Hillsboro defeated EC, 41-27, and in ’21 the Astros defeated the Indians, 33-14.

The non-conference game is scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m.

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McClain Tigers (3-1) at Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy (1-3)

The McClain Tigers are back on the road for their final non-conference game of 2023, as they are scheduled to face the Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy Eagles Friday night in Cincinnati.

In ’23, the Eagles have built a 1-3 start, with their lone win coming last Friday against Worthington Christian High School by a 49-25 score. In weeks one through three, CHCA lost to Columbus Academy (35-12), Bishop Ready (56-22) and Master’s Academy (Fla.) (62-35).

Looking at McClain’s first four games, they enter Week 5 at 3-1, winning this past Friday at East Clinton by a 22-6 score.

McClain’s top running back Andrew Potts totaled 29 carries for 186 yards with two touchdowns last Friday.

Defensively in Week 4, Noah Sponcil had a sack, while Max Eikenberry, Cam Medley and Owen Sykes each had an interception. The tackles leader in Week 4 for McClain was Sykes with 6.5.

As a team, the Tigers totaled 282 yards of offense, including 223 rushing yards.

Last season, McClain defeated CHCA, 48-14.

Game time for Week 5 at CHCA is scheduled for 7 p.m.