Trojans surprise Smoky Valley
Hillsboro overcomes deficit in final 1:00 to shock Vikings, 13-12
By RYAN RICHTER
Sports writer
Trojan coach Len Coryea predicted back in preseason that his team would knock off some teams few would expect them to this year.
Turns out Coryea wasn't kidding.
Trailing the Smoky Valley Vikings (2-2) 12-7 with 1:00 left in Friday's match-up in Hillsboro, Trojan quarterback Josh Boese hit wideout Chad Hughbanks for the game-winning touchdown.
Hillsboro, 13. Smoky Valley, 12.
Boese threw for a career-high 255 yards from 14-of-32 with nine going to Troy Frick, who had a career-high 164 yards.
"It was awesome," said Frick. "We really needed that one."
The Trojans' passing game, combined with Viking penalties, were too much for Smoky Valley to handle.
But Hillsboro was ravaged by penalties, too, along with failing to convert twice inside the Viking 20.
Boese finally got the Trojans on the board late in the first half, scoring on a one-yard barrel up the middle.
David Funk split the uprights on the PAT for the 7-0 lead.
The Vikings stormed right back on the ensuing drive as Darrin Biegert aired it out to Tarron Tubbs for a 23-yard TD.
The PAT was blocked and Hillsboro clung to a 7-6 lead at the break.
Smoky Valley climbed on top in the closing minutes of the third quarter with Biegert sneaking in from a yard out.
Looking to make it a seven-point game, the Vikings were denied on the two-point conversion, leaving the score at 12-7.
The Vikings had the chance to stick a fork in the Trojans late in the game, picking off a Boese pass.
Refusing to surrender, the Trojans forced a three-and-out with under 2:00 left.
Two crucial penalties against the Vikings set the Trojans up with a chance to regain the lead on a first-and-goal at the 8-yard line.
One play later, the Trojans had pulled off the upset.
Hillsboro went for two, but was unsuccessful.
Dodging injuries four straight weeks, Hillsboro took a small hit with Lucas Hamm suffering a concussion.
He's expected to be out two weeks.
The Trojans face another stiff challenge Friday when they host unbeaten Wichita Collegiate at 7 p.m.
