Hillsboro Indians open 2014 with 42-6 loss at Western Brown
By Rory Ryan
The Highland County Press
MOUNT ORAB – On a sultry late-summer season-opening Friday night, the Western Brown Broncos proved too much for the Hillsboro Indians.
Evan Dreyer's Broncos played an aggressive defense coupled with their typically strong downfield passing attack, en route to a 42-6 win on the WBHS turf.
For Coach Matt Hodge and the Indians, the game was all too similar to last year's contest, which Western Brown won, 49-6.
The Broncos scored early and often in the opening period, posting a 22-0 first-quarter advantage.
Two big fourth-down conversions extended scoring drives for Western Brown.
Quarterback Chaiten Tomlin connected with senior Nick Osborne for 24 yards on fourth and long. That play set up a 12-yard TD run by Tomlin with 7:56 left in the first.
The Indians' offense had the game's first possession. On first down from their own 31, the Indians lost a yard on a keeper by quarterback Toby Warrington. Braden Wildey, who played a solid game overall, carried the ball for a five-yard gain on second down. He was then pushed back for a two-yard loss by a tough Bronco defense.
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Senior R.J. Collard came on to punt on fourth and nine. Wildey timed his tackle perfectly and the Western Brown punt returner was dropped where he caught Collard's punt.
Tomlin then went to work on a 66-yard scoring drive to make it 6-0. His extra-point attempt was no good.
Wildey added a 15-yard run from scrimmage on the Tribe's second possession. But again, the drive stalled and Collard was forced to punt at the 3:37 mark.
Less than a minute later, Tomlin found senior wideout Chaz Patten for a 75-yard scoring strike. Tomlin then threw to Christian Dawson for the two-point conversion and a 14-0 WB lead.
Osborne got in on the scoring act with a five-yard touchdown to close out the first quarter. Tomlin passed to Eli Crall for the conversion and a 22-0 lead.
Senior linebacker Josh Young (48) had a big second quarter for the Broncos' defense. He had multiple tackles in the period, including a jarring tackle for a three-yard loss on fourth down.
The Hillsboro offense showed some positive signs with quality runs by Wildey, junior Lane Hester and senior Jordan Mosley, but they couldn't contend with Young and the WB defense.
With 9:14 left in the half, Tomlin ran for a nine-yard touchdown. He then tossed the football to Patten for an additional two points and a 30-0 advantage.
On the Indians' ensuing possession, Hester had a six-yard run up the middle, followed by a five-yard pickup by Heith Brown. Young made tackles on both plays.
Hester and Brown rotated carries as Hillsboro reached the Broncos' 42-yard line before the drive ended.
Western Brown added six more before the end of the half when Dawson scored on a 23-yard pass from Tomlin. Hester intercepted Tomlin's pass attempt for the two-point conversion and the play was dead.
The half closed with Western Brown comfortably ahead, 36-0.
At the start of the third period, the Western Brown public address announcer informed the crowd that the new "30-point differential" rule was in effect, meaning the game clock would keep running unless a team called timeout or the trailing team cut the deficit.
The end result was a very quick second half.
The only score of the third quarter came on a 14-yard pass from Tomlin to Eean Hornung with 8:02 on the clock. The two-point attempt failed. The third period ended with the Broncos owning a 42-0 lead.
The Indians gave the visiting fans something to cheer about at the start on the fourth quarter.
On the second play of the quarter, Toby Warrington lofted a pass toward Latrell Haithcock in the corner of the end zone. Haithcock and defender Jake Henderson battled for the ball, with Haithcock hauling in the reception and a Hillsboro touchdown.
Ashley Purtee's extra-point attempt fell just below the uprights, and the score was 42-6.
Midway through the final period, Coaches Dreyer and Hodge made multiple substitutions for their respective teams.
Junior Ryan Lemaster had an interception for the Indians at the 4:30 mark. Western Brown freshman Zach Stacy had a 42-yard run from scrimmage late in the game.
Four-year varsity starter Skylar Murphy (63) had a good overall game for the Tribe on both sides of the line. Jed Asmus (5) also was in on several tackles for the Indians.
The Broncos have now won 11 consecutive regular-season games, beginning with last season's victory over the Indians.
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Next week
Western Brown (1-0) travels to Little Miami on Sept. 5. Hillsboro (0-1) will be at Goshen on Sept. 5 before hosting Clermont Northeastern for the Indians' home-opener on Sept. 12 at Richards Memorial Field.
Score by quarters
WBHS – 22 14 06 00 — 42
HHS – 00 00 00 06 — 06