Trojans lose to Smoky Valley, 35-12

Learning to win means taking advantage of opportunities when they come your way. Hillsboro?s young football team missed a huge opportunity late in the first half and went on to absorb a 35-12 homecoming loss against Smoky Valley Friday at Joel Wiens Stadium.

The Trojans were trailing the 1-3 Vikings 14-0 when Hillsboro?s Carson Herbel stroked a beautiful punt that rolled to the Viking 1-foot line at the 9:45 mark of the second period.

An inspired defensive effort limited Smoky Valley to two one-yard running gains, then Jacob Funk intercepted a Brett Heitschmidt pass that bounced off the hands of a Viking receiver.

The Trojans set up shop at the Viking 14-yard line and ultimately earned a first-and-goal at the 2-yard line, thanks in part to a pass interference call against visitors.

But with a chance to step right back into contention, the Trojans suddenly choked — dropping two passes in the end zone, committing two 5-yard penalties and ending up turning the ball back over to the Vikings on downs when a fourth-and-12 pass sailed beyond the reach of the intended receiver.

Not only did the Vikings dodge a bullet, they marched the entire length of the field in 15 plays, culminating in a 3-yard touchdown run by Heit?schmidt with a mere 14.5 seconds left in the half for a 22-0 cushion at intermission.

In the second half, Hills?boro stopped Smoky Valley?s first possession with a fumble recovery by Ben Koop, then appeared to short-circuit a touchdown drive when Elias Werth picked off a Heitschmidt pass at the Trojan 1-yard line.

But Hillsboro was called for roughing the passer on the play, giving the Vikings new life at the Trojan 14. Two running plays later, Riley Odell was in the end zone for a 28-0 lead with 2:16 left in the third quarter.

After the Vikings forced Hillsboro to punt, the visitors moved the ball from the Trojan 32 and into the end zone in six plays to take a 35-0 lead with 10:04 left in the fourth quarter. The 35-point spread prompted a running clock for the rest of the contest.

Hillsboro moved the ball impressively through the air against the Viking second string, scoring twice — the first time on a Kaden Kleiner pass to Jorge Hanschu from 11 yards out and then on a 13-yard pass from Kleiner to Herbel as time expired.

The loss drops the Trojans to 0-5 for the year while the Vikings improved to 2-3. Hillsboro will travel to Lyons next Friday to take on the 0-5 Lions, who dropped a 35-13 decision to Larned on Friday.

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