Chillicothe Improves Drastically With Win Over Hillsboro
By: Ryan Kincaid
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CHILLICOTHE, Ohio- The Chillicothe Cavaliers needed something, anything to give them confidence.
Coming into this game, their opponent was favored by many to get a big win on a conference powerhouse down on its luck with injuries and youth in the starting lineup. Six minutes into the game, the Cavs showed that they may be down, but not out. Fourth string quarterback Kameron Smith, a cornerback on the roster, ran into their blue turf for a score to give Chillicothe their first lead in several games.
The Hillsboro Indians, led out by Mark Gallimore, took time to respond with their traditional hard-nosed running attack and scored a touchdown of their own. A failed two-point conversion made the score 7-6. This would be the last time the Indians struck pay dirt.
Smith would continue to have a huge performance on the ground, notching fourteen points in the second quarter with his feet, one from the fifty yard line. After the halftime break, Chillicothe did not let up, racking up score after score on the ground. Even the defense joined in the scoring frenzy, Carter Boltenhouse forced a fumble ripping the ball out of the hands of Hillsboro’s Justin Spears. Junior Joel Barnes scooped up the loose ball and didn’t look back.
Chillicothe simply outran Hillsboro in a game that got out of hand quick, ending at the mercy of the running clock 49-6. Cavalier halfback Hunter Thomas got off to a good start with 62 yards, but he would see little action in the second half with an ankle injury. He was replaced by Cade Williams who filled his shoes well with 93 yards rushing including a touchdown. The MVP of the team was Kam Smith, who totaled 133 yards rushing with four touchdowns as well as 53 passing yards with one touchdown.
Rushing duties for the Indians was spread out among several players: Mark Gallimore ran for 76 yards, Kal Rickman earned 29 yards, quarterback Justin Spears racked up 25 yards with his feet as well as passing for 35 yards, and Logan Hester carried for 12 yards.
Both defensive units forced turnovers, as Hillsboro’s Gavin Temple picked off the Cavaliers and Chillicothe’s Logan Snowden earned an interception. Chillicothe also forced four fumbles, three of which they recovered.
So, what does this result mean for the FAC? Chillicothe breaks a four-game losing streak to move to 1-1 in the conference, while Hillsboro drops another conference game to fall to 0-2. Jackson and Miami Trace sit at the top of the conference winning their respective games and rising to 2-0. Washington’s loss to Jackson puts them at 1-1 while McClain joins Hillsboro at 0-2.
Chillicothe hosts McClain next week in the hopes of building a streak while Hillsboro is set to battle with Washington at home, both of which want to rebound from tough losses. You can find Gridiron Glory at Miami Trace High School next Friday as they look to upset the Jackson Ironmen. As always, don’t forget to tune to Gridiron Glory Fridays at 11:30 PM and Saturday mornings on WOUB.