Trojans bounce back with big road win
Hillsboro strikes late to dash Haven, 21-6
By RYAN RICHTER
Sports writer
Through two games, the Trojans have been their own worst enemy.
Last week it was self-destructing in a crushing 27-13 loss against Chapman, a game that was well within Hillsboro's reach discounting a back-breaking play.
One week later in a must-win game Friday night against winless host Haven, history nearly repeated itself.
Thanks to three unanswered fourth quarter touchdowns, Hillsboro (2-1, 1-0 MCAA mid) was able to fight off a second straight crusher with a 21-6 win.
For three quarters, the Trojan offense slumbered, battling four turnovers.
The Wildcats couldn't get much going in the meantime, either, gaining the lead early on another big play, a 49-yard bomb from Isaiah Barfield's strike with under 3:00 left in the opening frame.
Haven was limited to 126 yards of total offense, and a putrid three first downs while the Trojans picked up 252 yards on the ground and 57 in the air.
Hillsboro was in a 6-0 rut through nearly 36:00.
But in the end it was Haven that imploded, spotting the Trojans 14 points off three of five turnovers.
Leave it up to Michael Suderman to make something happen for the Trojans.
The junior did just that, breaking up the shutout in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter with a nine-yard plunge.
He finished with 21 carries for 77 yards with Tim Funk carrying the ball 14 times for a game-high 85 yards.
Haven gave the Trojans one more chance and some breathing room on the ensuing possession as Adam Scheele picked off a Wildcat pass.
Quarterback Josh Boese capitalized on the Wildcat turnover, scoring on a five-yard run to help put Hillsboro ahead, 14-6.
Lucas Hamm slammed the door on the Wildcats with under 3:30 left in the game, taking a pic 45 yards for the final touchdown.
Hamm got four carries for 54 yards and Boese added 36 more.
The Wildcats had one last gasp with under 2:00 to go, but Matt Brown mailed it in for Hillsboro, picking off his second pass.
The Trojans face the stiffest part of their schedule five out the next six games staring with a rugged home test Friday against the Smoky Valley Vikings in a 7 p.m. kickoff.
The Vikings are currently off to an identical 2-1 start with their only loss coming in the second week to Wichita Collegiate, 17-13.
