Hillsboro falls to London in playoffs

(Continued from last week.)

In the 1994 state football playoffs, the 9-1 Hillsboro Indians would lock horns with another 9-1 team, the London Red Raiders.

The Division III, Region 12 playoff game would be at Cox Field in Xenia.

The region’s other Division III game would feature 10-0 Lemon Monroe taking on 9-1 Hamilton Badin at Fairfield Stadium.

After being thoroughly outplayed in the opening game of the season at Paint Valley, the Tribe had improved steadily game by game and had become a very capable team. They would be facing a tough London squad in the playoffs.

Red Raiders Coach Dave Daubenmire had built a powerful football program since taking the reins at London in 1989.

Prior to that, London had not had a winning season in 15 years.

They had two All-League defensive tackles in Josh Larkin and Clay Miller, but Daubenmire feared Hillsboro’s team speed. London was more of a plodding team. But they had a senior quarterback who was very good, and Hillsboro would have to watch him.

The Indians, as it turned out, could not cope with London’s size and their depth.

The Red Raiders’ offensive line averaged 237 pounds per man. They consistently opened big holes for senior tailback Fred Lester, who racked up 208 yards and two touchdowns. The Raiders won the game, 35-0.

With Hillsboro’s season ending, HHS athletic officials announced that McClain would be on the Hillsboro schedule in 1995.

The Indians had been scheduled to travel to Portsmouth in week three in 1995. However, with Portsmouth’s consent, the Portsmouth game was dropped, and the annual McClain contest was scheduled in that slot.

This game annually packed the stadium whether it was in Greenfield or in Hillsboro. Nobody really wanted to see this great traditional game dropped from the schedule.

Hillsboro’s junior quarterback Jason Barton, sophomore running back Keith Ford, wide-receivers Adam McGinnis and C.J. Captain, guard Andrew Evans and tackle Jason Harrison, defensive stars Rusty Swackhamer and T.J. Turner were all named to the SBAC’s All-League first team.

Defensive lineman Jake Spruell and senior kicker Brandon Leeth were named to the All-League second team.

(Continued next week.)

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