Hillsboro falls in playoffs to Celina

The Hillsboro Indians played in the Division III, Region 12 playoffs for the second consecutive year on Friday night, but they were unable to gain momentum on the road against the Celina Bulldogs, falling to CHS by a 49-7 score.

The Indians scored their lone touchdown, and final touchdown of the 2023 season, with around five minutes left in the fourth quarter as Mason Dumpert passed to Nic Burns for a 60-yard score. Wesley Bailey made the PAT for the Indians.

Hillsboro this season tied for second place in the Frontier Athletic Conference, as they were 3-2 in the conference standings, tied with the Miami Trace Panthers.

For the season, the Indians finished 5-6 overall.

The Division III first-round playoff game didn’t start out the way the Hillsboro Indians had hoped, due to a turnover on their opening drive, fumbling the football on second down from their own 35-yard line, their fifth play of the game.

Before the fumble, the Indians had a 9-yard gain on a pass from Dumpert to Logan Elliott.

The Bulldogs took advantage of the turnover, scoring on their fourth play of the game, as Braylon Gabes kept the ball on a QB keeper for a 10-yard touchdown run. The PAT was good, making the score 7-0.

After a second straight touchback, Hillsboro began on their own 20-yard line. Four plays later, after gaining a total of one yard, the Indians attempted to punt, but the kick was blocked, and the Bulldogs gained possession of the ball on the HHS 26-yard line.

Four plays later, the Bulldogs were standing in the end zone for another six points with Gables rushing up the middle of the HHS defense for the score. The PAT was good, and Celina gained a 14-0 lead as that score stood to end the first quarter.

Celina scored three touchdowns in the second quarter, as they outscored the Indians 21-0 in the second quarter for a halftime lead of 35-0.

Celina’s third score was a 27-yard run by Bobby Morris, and following the PAT, the Bulldogs held a 21-0 advantage.

Next was a punt return by Celina, for a 79-yard return and six points. The ensuing PAT left the Indians trailing the Bulldogs, 28-0 with 6:14 left in the second quarter.

Following another Hillsboro fumble, the Bulldogs took full advantage of the field position given to them, as Braylon Gabes found Caleb Gabes for a 3-yard touchdown through the air. The PAT put the Bulldogs ahead 35-0, which was the score at halftime.

The deficit for the Indians increased to 42 points when Parker Bertke raced 36 yards to the end zone. Another extra-point kick attempt sailed through the upright for a 42-0 score.

Celina added a seventh touchdown in the early stages of the fourth quarter as Carver Harris ran 14 yards to pay dirt, and following the kick on the PAT, the Bulldogs led 49-0.

The overall successful season for the Indians included a talented senior class that included: Jack Wagoner, Austin Barrett, Gary Reno, Ian Lawson and Ayden Clemons.

Celina will face Trotwood-Madison, who defeated Oakwood 42-0, in the second round of the playoffs.

GAME NOTES: On the first drive, the Indians had a 9-yard reception by Logan Elliott off a pass by Mason Dumpert … HHS totaled two fumbles in the loss (both recovered by CHS) … In a drive in the first quarter, Barrett had runs of seven, five, 12 and five yards on four consecutive plays … In the second quarter, Barrett had a run of 12 yards, followed by Elliott having an 11-yard rush … That same drive, Barrett had a 29-yard rush called back due to a blocking penalty … For the game, Barrett unofficially rushed for over 75 yards … Hillsboro scored points in all 11 games in the ’23 season, a feat that hasn’t happened since 2020.

(Editor's note: Thank you to WSRW 101.5 for contributing to the game article.)