Hillsboro Indians rush their way to 56 points; defeat Goshen

HILLSBORO – A first-half interception for a touchdown by Hillsboro senior defensive lineman Ayden Clemons gave the Indians a momentum swing that changed the remainder of the game, as Hillsboro held a 23-point halftime lead and eventually defeated the visiting Goshen Warriors in Week 2 by a 56-19 score Friday night at Richards memorial Field.

Though Goshen was first to score in the non-conference game off a fourth-and-7 play that resulted in a 35-yard touchdown reception, a missed PAT left the score 6-0 in favor of the Warriors with 9:40 left in the opening quarter.

Following the seven-play, 75-yard drive, the Indians’ offense responded with a seven-play drive of their own, reaching the end zone off an 11-yard run by Jeven Hochstuhl on first down with 6:21 left in the first quarter. The PAT by Wes Bailey pushed the Indians ahead by a 7-6 score.

Bailey finished the game a perfect 8-for-8 in PAT attempts. Hochstuhl finished with 14 carries for 114 yards and two rushing touchdowns, as the sophomore averaged 8.1 yards per carry.

Then it was time for the Hillsboro defense to shine, and it was a defensive lineman who stole the show with the biggest play of the game.

Clemons on third-and-12 intercepted a short screen pass and raced the ball nearly 10 yards into the end zone with 5:26 left on the first-quarter clock. Again, Bailey’s PAT was good for a 14-6 lead.

Goshen answered with another first-quarter touchdown, as a pass left the Warriors with a 9-yard touchdown play on fourth down for a 14-12 deficit (the PAT was no good) with 2:02 left in the quarter. The drive finished with nine plays for 53 yards.

The Indians again responded with more points, as they began on the 50-yard line following a 25-plus yard return on the kickoff by Jaiden Captain.

The drive consisted of runs from Hochstuhl, Barrett and quarterback Mason Dumpert, and it was the QB on a keeper with 0.8 left in the first quarter who was celebrating in the end zone following a 22-yard run for six points on second-and-8. Bailey kicked the ball through the uprights for a 21-12 Indians lead.

Dumpert finished with 126 yards rushing on 13 carries with one TD run, averaging 9.7 yards per carry.

After forcing a punt, the HHS offense was back on the field and this time the touchdown was scored by Barrett on a 7-yard bull rush through the defense of the Warriors on third-and-goal with 7:17 left in the second quarter. A fourth PAT made by Bailey left HHS ahead 28-12 following the seven-play, 64-yard drive.

Barrett finished with 21 carries for 156 yards rushing and two touchdowns, averaging 7.4 yards per carry.

The Indians added one more touchdown before the end of the first half with Dumpert finding Nic Burns for a 27-yard touchdown reception with one-on-one coverage as Burns made an athletic move to turn around and catch the touchdown pass near the end zone with 40.6 left on the second-quarter clock.

The Indians’ final drive of the second quarter – which put them ahead 35-12 following a fifth PAT made by Bailey, consisted of 59 yards and 10 plays.

HHS added 21 more points in the second half to complete their dominating effort against the Warriors, as their sixth touchdown of the game came with 3:49 on the clock in the third with a 7-yard score by Barrett. The PAT by Bailey sailed through the uprights for a 42-12 score.

Another HHS score came with 40.2 left in the third off a 61-yard rush by Barrett, as the senior raced through the Goshen defense towards pay dirt for six points. The PAT was good by Bailey for a 49-12 advantage.

Goshen’s final touchdown came with 11:15 left in the fourth quarter with an 80-yard touchdown. The PAT was good for a 49-19 score.

Hillsboro’s final score came with 4:46 remaining in regulation when Barrett rushed two yards on second-and-goal with 4:46 on the clock, completing a 58-yard drive. Bailey made his eighth PAT of the game for a final score of 56-19.

Hillsboro is now 1-1 overall this season, and Goshen falls to 0-2 overall.

The Indians are scheduled to play on the road in Week 3, as they will face the Portsmouth West Senators at 7 p.m. PWHS moved to 1-1 overall as they won in Week 2 over Portsmouth, 31-14.

(Game notes will be added this weekend.)

BOX SCORE

GHS    12 00 00 07 – 19

HHS    21 14 14 07 – 56