Indians fall to EC on Homecoming, 31-26

In the most exciting game of the season, the Hillsboro Indians lost a heartbreaker to the East Clinton Astros, 31-26, on Homecoming night at Richards Memorial Field.

Shortly after Katie Baker was crowned 2012 Homecoming queen in pre-game ceremonies, Brian Spicer's Indians built a 12-7 first-period lead after touchdowns by Michael Sultan and Logan Lesley.

Sultan scored on a 24-yard pass from Lesley with 10:25 on the clock. After a missed extra point, the Tribe was on top, 6-0.

Lesley added a five-yard touchdown run, which was set up by a 47-yard carry by Kordell Ford. The 2-point conversion failed.

Caplinger scored from a yard out to put the Astros on the board midway through the first quarter.

The first-period closed with Hillsboro in possession of the football, but facing a 3rd and 15 from the East Clinton 30.

On the first play of the second quarter, Lesley connected with Ford down the far (south) sidelines. Ford raced into the east end zone for the touchdown and an 18-7 Indians' lead.

However, East Clinton running back Max Morrow was just getting warmed up.

The senior back scored two second-period touchdowns and ran for more than 60 yards in the quarter. Morrow scored from three yards out at the 8:23 mark and added the 2-point conversion.

Then, with 33 seconds remaining in the half, Morrow ran it in from five yards. Tyler Sweet made the PAT, and it was 22-18 Astros at the half.

The second period time of possession weighed heavily in East Clinton's favor. After scoring on its first play from scrimmage in the second quarter, the Indians' next possession lasted four plays and ended on a 4th-and-5 scramble by Lesley that gave the Astros good field position.

The Indians would not run another play in the quarter. After the second EC touchdown, Ben Meares recovered an onside kick at the Hillsboro 44. The Indians' Drew Huffman brought the first half to a close by sacking EC quarterback Dalton Floyd and bringing the Homecoming crowd to life.

A steady rain greeted the beginning of the second half. Hillsboro's defense stopped the Astros' drive on a 4th-and-9 play.

On their next possession, the Indians put together a nice scoring drive, with the big play being a 34-yard strike from Lesley to Zach Young. After two gains by Ford, Huffman muscled the football into the end zone at the 2:10 mark. Ford converted the 2-point attempt, and Hillsboro owned a 26-22 lead over its SCOL rival.

The fourth period began with Hillsboro holding its first lead of the season after 36 minutes.

But once again, the Astros' offense – led by Morrow and Caplinger – dictated the tempo. At the 10-minute mark, Morrow ran for a 26-yard pickup, setting up a 1st-and-goal at the Hillsboro six-yard line.

Caplinger ran for the next three yards on first down. Morrow completed the journey on second down, with a three-yard TD. Sweet's kick made it 29-26 in favor of East Clinton.

After an exchange of possessions, East Clinton dropped back in punt formation on a 4th-and-9 at the 48. The kick rolled into the end zone and Hillsboro attempted to run it out. Instead, the Astros made the tackle in the end zone for a 2-point safety and a 31-27 lead with 5:39 remaining.

After the Indians' free kick, East Clinton held the ball until the clock reached the 1:09 mark. On 4th-and-16 at the Indians' 27, Floyd tossed a pass toward the goal line. The pass was intercepted, but it proved to be as good – if not better – than a punt.

The Indians had the ball, but they also had a long way to go and a short time to get there.

With 1:02 remaining and starting at their own five-yard line, the Indians weren't ready to see it end. Three straight passes fell incomplete, but on 4th-and-10, the Indians moved the chains to the 40 – with 35 seconds and no timeouts.

Lesley scampered for 17 yards into East Clinton territory. On a 1st-and-10 with 14 seconds remaining, Lesley dropped back to pass. He fired over the middle, the ball was tipped, and it landed right in the hands of the Astros' Clyde Snow.

Floyd only had to practice his genuflection on the game's final snap to seal the EC victory.

The Hillsboro faithful who stuck around – and weathered the third-period shower – saw the team's best game of the 2012 season.

The Indians (0-4, 0-7) return to Richards Memorial Field on Friday, Oct. 12 when they will host the London Red Raiders (0-7).

• The 1992 10-0 SBC champion Hillsboro Indians, coached by Jim Horne, will be recognized on Oct. 12 for the 20th anniversary of their championship season.

Score by quarters:

ECHS – 07 15 00 09 – 31
HHS –  12 06 08 00 – 26