The Hillsboro Indians collected their first South Central Ohio League victory of the season Friday with an 18-7 win over East Clinton, spoiling the Astros Homecoming.
East Clinton is now 2-6 overall and has lost six straight games. The Astros are 0-5 in the SCOL.
Hillsboro is 2-6 overall, 1-4 in the league.
Hillsboro got on the scoreboard first, taking its opening drive 52 yards on 11 plays. Senior Heith Brown’s touchdown run from nine yards out gave the Indians a 6-0 lead at the 8:05 mark. The PAT kick was blocked by the Astros. Hillsboro maintained the 6-0 lead at the first quarter break.
East Clinton’s first drive was stalled when the Indians’ Britton Haines intercepted EC quarterback Erik Moore at the HHS 35.
Hillsboro extended the lead to 12-0 on Brown’s second touchdown of the game at the 10:08 mark of the second quarter as the Indians successfully converted on fourth down and goal to go. Hunter Chain’s pass attempted for the two-point conversion failed.
Down 12-0, East Clinton brought the Homecoming crowd to its feet as Moore and Brian Barnes hooked up on a 48-yard scoring pass at the 8:32 mark of the second quarter. Austin Arellano’s point after made it 12-7.
The Indians threatened to extend the lead late in the first half. With the ball inside the East Clinton 2, Hillsboro attempted a rushing play but Austin Hanners denied the Indians any further scoring and the Astros remained down by five at the break.
Although the teams battled to a scoreless third quarter, Hillsboro’s Britton Haines came up with the big defensive play of the night as he fought intended receiver Barnes for a pass in the corner of the end zone, and his interception thwarted the EC scoring drive with 2:32 to play in the quarter.
The Indians padded the lead with a Lane Hester touchdown run at the 9:21 mark of the fourth period but the Indians again came up short on the two-point conversion, to the lead was 18-7.
East Clinton will try and snap its six-game losing skid, traveling to Greenfield, facing the McClain Tigers next Friday night.
The Indians will return home to Richards Memorial Field next Friday night facing the Miami Trace Panthers who lost to Wilmington Friday night.
