1995 Indians boast 8 All-District players

(Continued from last week.)

The Hillsboro Indians defeated Clermont Northeastern, 46-14, in early November 1995, turning in a perfect 10-0 regular season, when Keith Ford rushed for 196 yards and five touchdowns, giving him nine touchdowns in the last two games.

CNE quarterback Tim Dawson hit on only 8 of 18 passing attempts for 70 yards and one touchdown, but was intercepted twice.

By winning this game in decisive fashion, the Indians gained the right to meet highly regarded London in a Div. III first round game at Xenia, Friday, Nov. 10.

This would be an opportunity for the Tribe to avenge the 35-0 loss the Red Raiders put on the Indians in 1994, on the same field.

At Greenfield, the McClain Tigers evened their record at 5-5 when they thumped visiting Johnstown 46-8, rolling up 368 yards of total offense compared to Johnstown’s 147.

The purple-and-gold held a 32-0 lead at halftime as well as a 227-16 margin in total yards. Jon Soards was the top rusher for the Tigers with 77 yards on 19 carries. Sophomore quarterback Brad Campbell connected on 5 of 9 passes for 96 yards and a touchdown.

Blaine Bergstrom caught three passes for 61 yards, ran for a touchdown and threw a 29-yard halfback pass for a touchdown. Also, defensive end Brandon Cannon returned an interception 66 yards for a touchdown.

In Division II, former SCOL member, Miami Trace (9-1) would play Cincinnati Turpin (9-1) at Welcome Stadium, in Dayton. In Div. V, Bainbridge Paint Valley (9-1) would meet Amanda Clearcreek (10-0) at Lancaster (which is less than 10 miles from Amanda and a two-day trip from Bainbridge. So much for neutrality).

Would the Hillsboro Indians be able to turn the tables on London, this season? London was a big team. On the line, they outweighed the Indians about 25 pounds per man. Hillsboro was probably a little faster, but London wasn’t slow. Both teams were well-coached. London had
probably played a tougher schedule than Hillsboro. That doesn’t always guarantee anything. The winner would be determined on the field.

Once again, the Indians found themselves facing a big halftime deficit in their playoff game at Xenia. The Red Raiders scored seven points in the opening quarter and added 21 in the second stanza. The Indians, down 28-0 at halftime, faced a long, uphill climb against a rugged opponent.

The Tribe came out swinging in the second half, and there was a swing in momentum.

When Keith Ford scored with 9:26 remaining in the game, the London lead was reduced to 14 points. The Indians needed a turnover badly.

London’s Gregg Harris fumbled the ball on the London 28 yard line, and the Indians recovered.

After a two-yard run by Ford, Jason Barton dropped back to pass. London defensive tackle D.J. Jackson ripped through the offensive line and blindsided Barton.

Jackson stripped the ball and carried it 66 yards for the score (42-21 with 8:08 remaining).

Some Hillsboro fans thought the play should have been ruled an incomplete pass. But the officials have the red pencil. They said it was a fumble.

On the ensuing series, London intercepted a pass. On the very next play, Harris broke a 35-yard run for another touchdown. The final score was London 49, Hillsboro 21. Ford had 26 carries for 186 yards and two touchdowns. Harris led the London charge, carrying the ball 23 times for 177 yards and three touchdowns.

Hillsboro would lose the services of a great group of seniors, who would graduate in June: Chris Adams, C.J. Captain, Jason Barton, Ryan Stuckey, Rusty Swackhamer, Andrew Evans and Gregg Abbott. Collectively, they had amassed a record of 37-5 over four years of football.

When the Southeast District Div. III All-Star football team was released in late November, Hillsboro running back Keith Ford was named the district Offensive Player of the Year.

In addition, quarterback Jason Barton, offensive guard Andrew Evans, center Ryan Stuckey and wide receiver C.J. Captain were named to the All-Southeast District offensive first team, and defensive tackle Jake Spruell, linebacker T.J. Turner and defensive end Rusty Swackhamer were all named to the All-Southeast District defensive first team.

According to Coach Horne, no other Hillsboro team in history had this many All-District players.

Another football season was in the books.

(Continued next week.)

Bob Patton is a Highland County sports historian and a contributing writer to The Highland County Press.