Indians roll to 40-6 win over Landmark Christian

It's been a long time coming, but the Hillsboro Indians ended their winless streak in impressive fashion Friday, Sept. 20 before a partisan crowd at Richards Memorial Field.

Matt Hodge's Indians scored early and often en route to a convincing, 40-6 victory over the Landmark Christian Eagles.

As time was winding down in the fourth period, the Indians – who have endured injuries and a distinct size disparity in recent years – sensed that they had earned this win and this night.

Two senior linemen – Zach Stacey and Todd Adkins – got the celebration started with 35 seconds left on the game clock when they doused Coach Hodge with the obligatory Gatorade. The head coach and sophomore Heith Brown continued the celebration, as the final seconds ticked off.

"I'm very, very proud of my kids tonight," Hodge said. "They played hard for all four quarters. This was the most consistent game they've played."

After receiving the opening kickoff, which Lane Hester returned to the Tribe's 43, the Indians' offense put the running game in motion to begin the game's first drive.

Quarterback Toby Warrington ran for five yards before being stopped by Will Patrick. Hester ran for five more yards and a first down. Cody Whaley then picked up 10 more yards on the ground.

A seven-yard gain by Jordan Mosley was followed by an 11-yard pickup by Whaley. On the next play, Whaley added 12 more yards and a first-and-goal just inside the LC 10. On second down, Hester rumbled for 10 yards and the first touchdown of the night.

Ashlee Purtee came on to kick the extra point – her first of three consecutive PATs for Hillsboro's first female placekicker in recent memory.

The Eagles answered late in the first period when Patrick ran it in for a one-yard TD. The point-after failed, and the quarter ended with Hillsboro on top, 7-6, after 12 minutes.

Midway through the second period, play was suspended for approximately 20 minutes due to an injured Landmark Christian lineman. Hillsboro Fire and Rescue was dispatched, and the player was taken to Highland District Hospital as a precaution.

The second quarter was scoreless for the first 11:38; however, with 22 seconds remaining, Mosley scored from a yard and a half out. Purtee's point-after gave Hillsboro a 14-6 lead at halftime.

Mosley had a solid game, overall, and picked up several crucial yards on third downs all evening.

"Jordan is an athlete," Hodge noted. "He's a bull back there (running the football)."

The game turned, big time, in Hillsboro's favor late in the third quarter, when the Indians scored two touchdowns in a span of 12 seconds.

The second half began with the Eagles fumbling the kickoff. Hester recovered for the Indians at the LC 40 yard line. While the Indians' offense sputtered on the first series, they hit on all cylinders in their next possession. Mosley ran for five yards on first and 10. Garrett Baldridge then gained four more yards. Once again, Mosley picked up the first down yardage to move the chains.

Jed Asmus ran for one yard before being stopped by Jamal Holston at the LC 27. Baldridge than carried twice for six more yards. On fourth down, Mosley delivered again, lumbering for six yards to the 14.

Hodge called Baldridge's number on first and second down and with solid blocking up front by Jared Mosley, Todd Adkins and Zach Stacey, the Tribe had another first-and-goal opportunity.

Baldridge followed Skylar Murphy and Jared Mosly for the final three yards and another HHS TD. Purtee's kick made it 21-6 with 2:36 to play in the third period.

"Ashlee works hard as a kicker," Hodge said. "She's good."

On the Eagles' next play from scrimmage, Hillsboro senior Avery Ventura put the game out of reach by intercepting a Patrick pass and returning it 15 yards for the Tribe's second touchdown in 12 seconds. The extra point attempt fell short, but Hillsboro was in command, 27-6 after three periods.

Toby Warrington added a touchdown on a four-yard run with 9:31 to play in the fourth quarter.

Sophomore Andrew Palmer completed the scoring with a 13-yard TD for the Indians with 2:05 remaining in the game. Purtee's extra point put the final score at 40-6.

"Everybody got in the game, and it was good for some of the younger kids to play under the lights on Friday night," Hodge said. "The whole team played well. I'm proud of their effort."

Hillsboro (1-3) hosts Miami Trace on Friday, Sept. 27. Trace lost to Chillicothe, 20-14, in overtime Friday.

Score by quarters

LCHS 06 00 00 00 – 06
HHS 07 07 13 13 – 40

Notes/Asides

• Curran Butler and Jed Asmus teamed up to tackle LC quarterback Will Patrick for a loss in the first period.

• Chad Blankenship, Asmus and Hester stopped the Eagles' No. 35 for a three-yard loss to stop an LC drive.

• Matt Arnold turned a busted play in the second period into a 13-yard gain after picking up a deflected lateral. Arnold also had a 40-yard punt return in the fourth quarter.

• Hillsboro fans were asking when – if ever – the varsity Indians had a female placekicker who connected on three straight PATs. Hillsboro City Schools Superintendent and former coach Rick Earley said he cannot recall another girl playing varsity football for the Indians.

• After the win, the Indians went to the student-body section and sang the school song, followed by the ringing of the Ernie Blankenship Victory Bell in the west end zone.

• HHS Homecoming is Friday, Sept. 27 vs. Miami Trace.